Runaway Bride (1999)
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A cynical reporter is tasked with writing a truthful story about a woman who has repeatedly fled from the altar.
The story
Maggie Carpenter has gained notoriety as the "Runaway Bride" after leaving three fiancés at the altar. Ike Graham, a misanthropic New York City columnist, writes a flawed article about her, leading to his firing. His boss gives him a second chance to write a truthful, in-depth piece to prove Maggie is a "man-eater." Ike travels to Hale, Maryland, where Maggie works at her family's hardware store. While following her and interviewing her community, Ike and Maggie begin to grow closer, using their interactions to improve their personal lives.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Maggie Carpenter is known as the "Runaway Bride" for leaving three previous fiancés at the altar. After a cynical reporter, Ike Graham, writes a poorly researched article about her, he is fired but offered a chance at redemption by writing a truthful profile. Ike travels to Hale, Maryland, to find Maggie. He discovers she is currently engaged to Bob Kelly, a football coach. As Ike interviews Maggie's circle, he and Maggie spend time together, bonding over their personal flaws. During a pre-wedding luau, Ike defends Maggie from mockery, leading to a confrontation where they call out each other's insecurities. At a rehearsal, Bob asks Ike to stand in as the groom for a visualization exercise; Ike and Maggie share a passionate kiss and admit their feelings. After Bob storms out, Ike proposes they marry instead. On the wedding day, Maggie gets cold feet and flees the church, jumping onto a FedEx truck. After a period of self-discovery in New York, Maggie finds Ike. She explains she ran from previous men because she was conforming to their personalities. They eventually marry in a private hillside ceremony, choosing a small celebration over a big wedding.
- First release year
- 1999
- Runtime (minutes)
- 116
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Garry Marshall
- Writers
- Sara Parriott · writer; Josann McGibbon · writer
- Cast and characters
- Julia Roberts · Margaret "Maggie" Carpenter; Richard Gere · Homer Eisenhower "Ike" Graham; Joan Cusack · Peggy Flemming; Héctor Elizondo · Fisher; Rita Wilson · Ellie Graham; Paul Dooley · Walter Carpenter; Christopher Meloni · Bob Kelly; Donal Logue · Father Brian Norris
- Genres
- screwball romantic comedy; comedy
- Themes
- Identity; Self-discovery; Authenticity; Cynicism vs. Sincerity
- Tone and mood
- Romantic; Screwball; Sentimental
- Premise and plot tags
- Romance; Comedy; Journalism; Wedding; Small Town
- Reception
- The film was a commercial success, grossing $309 million worldwide, despite receiving generally negative reviews from critics.
- Reported review scores
- Metacritic · score: 39 · scale: 100 · review count: 33
- Production trivia
- The film was in development for over a decade with various actors attached for the lead roles.; The production used the historic town of Berlin, Maryland, to represent the fictional town of Hale.; The film held the record for the highest opening weekend for a Julia Roberts film until 2001.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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