(1999)
2
Matthew Tobey
After debuting with the charming but forgettable family flick Harriet the Spy, director Bronwen Hughes proved herself to be a director not really worth watching by taking a stab at this cliché, opposites-attract romantic comedy. Forces of Nature doesn't offer up anything new to the ubiquitous genre, with the male protagonist trying to get to his wedding to marry the woman who is almost perfect, but just seems to be missing something, when along comes the fly-by-the-seat-of-her-pants, slightly eccentric woman who "changes everything." From there, the movie tries to become a sort of romantic Planes, Trains and Automobiles, but falls short of capturing any of the good qualities that that film so effortlessly pulls off. But many romantic comedies work quite well, despite the familiarity of their story lines, because they feature a likeable, charming couple. Because of this, the majority of the blame for Forces of Nature's downfall should probably be pinned on Ben Affleck and Sandra Bullock. Not only do they have no onscreen chemistry, but they were just plain miscast in the roles. Unless pressed for time and in need of a headache, one would be advised to pass this one up and instead take in a double feature of My Best Friend's Wedding and Planes, Trains and Automobiles.
Forces of Nature on AllMovie
Forces of Nature (1999)
