Critics’ reviews

Runaway Bride (1999)

9 reviews from 9 publications. Critics’ score 54: 1 positive, 6 mixed, 2 negative.

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54
Positive
1
Mixed
6
Negative
2

The reviews lean towards a mixed response, with praise concentrated on the cast rather than the romantic premise. Julia Roberts’s comic touch and expressive performance draw approval, while several critics find enough appeal in her pairing with Richard Gere to carry a predictable story. The supporting performances also earn praise, though critics differ over who stands out. The more receptive reviews treat the film as an agreeable star vehicle, with little expectation of realism.

The main disagreements concern whether the romance convinces and whether the comedy is funny enough. Variety is notably warmer, finding charm, humour and considerable entertainment in the film, especially in Roberts’s performance. Total Film enjoys the romance and the leads’ chemistry but finds the comedy wanting. At the harsher end of a fairly wide spread, The Guardian finds scene after scene falling flat, with Joan Cusack providing the strongest performance.

Variety
26 July 1999 · Todd McCarthy
75*

McCarthy finds the romantic comedy charming, funny, and highly entertaining, predicting strong audience appeal. He especially praises Julia Roberts’ expressive performance and the memorable gestures she brings to Maggie.

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The New York Times
30 July 1999 · Janet Maslin
64*

The page is blocked, so the critic’s verdict cannot be determined. No praise or complaint from the review is available in the supplied text.

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Time Out
· TJ
64*

The page is identified as a review, but its verdict is unavailable. The visible description only notes the Roberts–Gere reunion and Marshall’s return.

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Radio Times
★★★ · Joanna Berry
60

Berry calls the romantic comedy predictable but well played. She praises Julia Roberts’s deft comedic touch, the zippy script and the supporting cast.

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Total Film
8 October 1999 · ★★★ · Total Film
60

The review finds the film an engaging romance, though it falls short as a comedy and lacks the feel-good impact of Pretty Woman. It praises the chemistry between Roberts and Gere, while singling out Gere’s laid-back performance as stronger than Roberts’.

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RogerEbert.com
30 July 1999 · ★★/4 · Roger Ebert
50

Ebert’s verdict is negative, finding the film’s romantic setup unconvincing. He singles out the familiar pairing of Julia Roberts and Richard Gere as insufficient to make the story work.

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Empire
1 January 2000 · William Thomas
30*

Thomas finds the film deeply average, lacking the charm and wit of Pretty Woman. He faults the weak romantic dynamic but praises the supporting turns by Rita Wilson and Hector Elizondo.

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The Guardian
10 October 1999 · Philip French
20*

French finds the film largely unsuccessful, with scene after scene falling flat. He singles out Joan Cusack’s performance as the best in the film.

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Eye for Film
19 January 2001 · Angus Wolfe Murray
65*

The critic finds the story predictable but says the film works as a charming star vehicle despite its low realism. He praises the visually striking opening sequence and the appeal of Julia Roberts and Richard Gere together.

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Ordered by the weight we give each publication, then by score. Scores are normalised to 100; * means inferred from an unrated review. Summaries are ours, not quotations; follow the links for the reviews themselves. How we rate