--- title: "Runaway Bride: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/runaway-bride/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/runaway-bride" critics_score: 54 critics_reviews: 9 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Runaway Bride (1999): what the critics said Critics' score 54 from 9 reviews: 1 positive, 6 mixed, 2 negative. 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 — Todd McCarthy Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 26 July 1999. 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. [Read the review](https://variety.com/1999/film/reviews/runaway-bride-1200458294/) ## The New York Times — Janet Maslin Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 30 July 1999. 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. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/1999/07/30/movies/film-review-pretty-woman-is-back-but-now-she-s-cautious.html) ## Time Out — TJ Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 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. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/runaway-bride) ## Radio Times — Joanna Berry Rating 3/5. Berry calls the romantic comedy predictable but well played. She praises Julia Roberts’s deft comedic touch, the zippy script and the supporting cast. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-h6he8a/runaway-bride/) ## Total Film — Total Film Rating 3/5. 8 October 1999. 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’. [Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/runaway-bride-review/) ## RogerEbert.com — Roger Ebert Rating 2/4. 30 July 1999. 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. [Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/runaway-bride-1999) ## Empire — William Thomas Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 1 January 2000. 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. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/runaway-bride-review/) ## The Guardian — Philip French Fi1m's normalised score 20/100 (inferred from the text). 10 October 1999. 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. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/News_Story/Critic_Review/Observer_review/0,,90615,00.html) ## Eye for Film — Angus Wolfe Murray Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 19 January 2001. 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. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/runaway-bride-film-review-by-angus-wolfe-murray) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/runaway-bride.md