It's a reasonably good movie that focuses on familiar family comedy themes. Like I’ve mentioned in other reviews, romantic comedies aren't usually my thing, though I can appreciate them when they're done well. During the pandemic, while many of us were stuck at home (I managed okay, but some friends really struggled), a friend told me he disliked this film because it seemed to send a bad message by making light of someone leaving their partner at the altar. At the time, I thought that was an odd interpretation, and I didn’t end up watching it then. Now that I have, I don't share my friend’s view. The story starts with a clash between a woman from a small town and a journalist from the city after he writes an article about her and her history of leaving partners at the altar. Naturally upset, she responds to his piece, which leads to him losing his job. He doesn't let it go; instead, he travels to her town to investigate. Their interactions eventually lead to an unexpected romance. I think my friend took the film too seriously. Most people can tell the difference between a joke and something meant to be taken literally, so I don’t believe anyone will misinterpret its message. Also, it was released in 1999, and we're now in 2022... how many couples these days are even thinking about marriage? Sure, there are some, but they're few compared to a world where careers, homes, and relationships aren’t necessarily planned to last forever – which is one of the issues facing modern society, if you ask me. The movie really depends on the performances of Julia Roberts and Richard Gere, who previously worked together effectively in “Pretty Woman.” I personally enjoyed "Pretty Woman" considerably more; the characters felt much easier to connect with. Here, we're essentially watching a battle of wills between two stubborn individuals who eventually recognize each other’s good qualities. The plot is also quite predictable, which is a common problem in romantic comedies where characters almost always end up at the altar. Despite this, Gere and Roberts deliver satisfying performances that fans of the genre will likely appreciate. Technically, the film doesn't try anything particularly innovative, opting for a safe and conventional approach to its visuals and style. It’s like the standard meal at the cafeteria we visit after work – designed to be inexpensive and appeal to most people. The sets, costumes, filming locations, cinematography, and soundtrack are all fairly ordinary. There are pacing issues, and it sometimes drags due to a lack of substance. However, the dialogue is well-written and quite clever.

Source on TMDB