Forces of Nature (1999)

46% of critics liked it
(65 reviews)
37% of users liked it
(56,332 ratings)

Ben (Ben Affleck) has two days to get from New York to Savannah, Georgia for his wedding to Bridget Cahill (Maura Tierney). Everything is running smoothly until his plane skids off the runway. Ben inadvertently saves the life of his seatmate, Sarah (Sandra Bullock), who becomes his companion for the… More Ben (Ben Affleck) has two days to get from New York to Savannah, Georgia for his wedding to Bridget Cahill (Maura Tierney). Everything is running smoothly until his plane skids off the runway. Ben inadvertently saves the life of his seatmate, Sarah (Sandra Bullock), who becomes his companion for the longest two days of his life. As fate begins to repeat itself through a series of disasters involving a rental car, a train, and a bus (not to mention a hurricane), Ben has to wonder if someone's trying to give him a message. Inevitably, he also finds himself falling in love with Sarah. Meanwhile, Bridget wonders where, exactly, Ben is, and her old boyfriend Steve (David Strickland) attempts to take advantage of the situation. Not that Bridget's dad (Ronny Cox) really minds, since Steve is much more successful than Ben. En route, Ben and Sarah collide with Ben's best man, Alan (Steve Zahn) and his girlfriend, the maid of honor (Meredith Scott Lynn), which further adds to the series of cosmic tests that Ben must try to answer. ~ Ron Wells, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 44 min.
Directed By: Bronwen Hughes
Written By: Marc Lawrence
Genres: Drama, Romance, Comedy

In Theaters: Mar 19, 1999 Wide
On DVD: Dec 19, 2000
Studio: Dreamworks Distribution

Critic Reviews

Richard Corliss, TIME Magazine
DreamWorks' first reprehensible fiasco.
Joe Leydon, Variety
An extremely enjoyable neo-screwball comedy about attractive opposites on the road.
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone
The cinematic equivalent of Styrofoam: a weightless romantic comedy of synthetic feelings.
Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times
A most pleasant and diverting venture.
Gina Fattore, Chicago Reader
A movie that obviously aspires to screwball status while trampling on the irrepressible female freedom that defines the genre.
Maitland McDonagh, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Make no mistake: This slackly paced picture doesn't gel. But it so consistently undermines the pastel-pretty conventions that currently rule the genre that some sneaky admiration is in order.
, Film4
The humour is genial and both Affleck and Bullock are easy on the eye, but the film itself ends up being little more than a storm in a teacup.
Jim Lane, Sacramento News & Review
Bullock seems a bit too level-headed for a screwball, and the affable Affleck has no real chemistry with her or Tierney.
Dustin Putman, DustinPutman.com
While far from a complete misfire, Forces of Nature remains simply too by-the-numbers to be particularly gratifying or worthwhile.
Garth Franklin, Dark Horizons
All in all, it really depends on if you're a fan of the two leads. I am, so I liked it.
, Time Out
A bumbling and typically charmless latter-day studio screwball comedy.
Robin Clifford, Reeling Reviews
It has all been done before, and better.
Dragan Antulov, rec.arts.movies.reviews
For the most part this film is not particularly funny or entertaining. The plot is, of course, predictable.
Susan Tavernetti, Palo Alto Weekly
As soon as the co-stars become unlikely companions on a two-day trip to the South, a major problem crops up: no screen chemistry. They rarely click together, let alone sizzle.
John R. McEwen, Film Quips Online
Bullock seems to really be enjoying herself in this role, and Affleck is uncomfortable. I don't know whether this is because his role dictates it or if it's just a natural reaction, but it works.
Margaret A. McGurk, Cincinnati Enquirer
Sandra Bullock is the good news about Forces of Nature. Her natural charm dances off the screen with giddy abandon. Unfortunately, the movie lets her down.

Read all 16 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Dean !

A little known rom-com starring Sandra Bullock. A guy traveling to get married meets a free-spirited woman en route who helps open his eyes to life and love. It was a fun film with some funny moments with a good cast. Good soundtrack to!
Dean M

The path to true love gets rocky in this engaging and occasionally wild tale - outragous and warmhearted funny. Ben Affleck and Sandra Bullock are very appealing as the reliable groom-to-be and free-spirited traveller who complement each other's strengths and weaknesses and who… More
The path to true love gets rocky in this engaging and occasionally wild tale - outragous and warmhearted funny. Ben Affleck and Sandra Bullock are very appealing as the reliable groom-to-be and free-spirited traveller who complement each other's strengths and weaknesses and who learn to offer one another valuable life lessons. The cinematography is unique, inventive, and beautiful! This movie has always given me a better perspective on marriage, love, lust, wondering minds, and people in general. This film's directorial vision is clear and is visually stunning. One good performance came from the late David Strickland (TV series' <i>Suddenly Susan</i>) in his final film role. It was unfortunate to hear about Strickland's death because his role in this film showed the world that he can act well on the big screen.
Nicki M

I watched this one years ago, and really couldn't remember it, so decided to check it out when it was on tv recently. Kind of wish I hadn't bothered. All the way through it I was thinking I really needed to downgrade my original score of three stars to two and a half.… More
I watched this one years ago, and really couldn't remember it, so decided to check it out when it was on tv recently. Kind of wish I hadn't bothered. All the way through it I was thinking I really needed to downgrade my original score of three stars to two and a half. Only thing that stopped me was that the ending did redeem it somewhat, by not being totally predictable. SPOILER...........I damn hated Sandra Bullock, so I was pleased he didn't wind up with her, though Ben Affleck was nothing inspiring in this either. Must be a real low point in both their careers. Plot is that Ben Affleck is due to be married to a nondescript woman who I think I would take off on too quite honestly. Through a series of disasters he is stranded with Sandra Bullock, who he meets on a plane. Sandra in this is just horrible. Not only does she not look attractive, her character is a free spirit type, and she just can't pull it off at all, while he seems stuffy and boring and not someone anyone would bother with. There's a whole series of events including a particularly cringable one with the pair of them screaming on top of a train. No wonder I blocked all memory of this movie from my mind. As I mentioned, ending redeems it a little. MORE SPOILERS,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, He goes back to the nondescript fiancee who is marginally more bearable than Sandra and comes out with quite a good speech. Enough to make me leave my original rating at three stars. Not enough to make me want to watch this again.
Anthony L

I love Sandra Bullock in this film. I Didn?t like the ending much though!
Tim S

As far as "chick flicks" go, this one had a better resolution that most. Actually an unhappy/happy ending, which was very refreshing. However, the journey to get there was LONG. This film is in serious need of an editing job because there was so much in there that was not… More
As far as "chick flicks" go, this one had a better resolution that most. Actually an unhappy/happy ending, which was very refreshing. However, the journey to get there was LONG. This film is in serious need of an editing job because there was so much in there that was not very interesting and really served no build-up for its conclusion. There are a lot of familiar faces in the supporting cast, old and new, which don't really get much use. Both Sandra and Ben carry the film well and they have a nice chemistry that's lost in an over-exaggerated storyline. Bottom line: your mom might enjoy it, but I'd steer clear if you're not in the mood for a "chick flick" that's a bit of a stretch.
Jason S

Eh. The acting wasn't that bad but the flick just didn't keep me interested.
Megan S

Worst Sandra Bullock movie I have ever seen. It was so very boring.
Leigh R

Wonderfully done film.
Rico Z

I remember being dazzled by the slow-motion sequence toward the end of the movie. This was back in high school-- but the scene still sticks in my mind. The movie is your typical romantic comedy but it has a supernatural/esoteric twist that makes it unique amongst the cannon of… More
I remember being dazzled by the slow-motion sequence toward the end of the movie. This was back in high school-- but the scene still sticks in my mind. The movie is your typical romantic comedy but it has a supernatural/esoteric twist that makes it unique amongst the cannon of forgettable romances of the late 90s. Bullock is as cute as ever...and so is Affleck.
Mouhannad S

"Forces of Nature" Sandra Bullock and Ben Affleck star in this romantic comedy. Ben (Affleck) gets stranded in New York when his plane skids out of control, the trouble is he is getting married in 2 days and his only way back seems to be a ride with a free-spirited… More
"Forces of Nature" Sandra Bullock and Ben Affleck star in this romantic comedy. Ben (Affleck) gets stranded in New York when his plane skids out of control, the trouble is he is getting married in 2 days and his only way back seems to be a ride with a free-spirited traveller called Sarah (Bullock) The duo get into lots of trouble on their road trip and the results are pretty amusing. Affleck and Bullock both provide nice performances without ever excelling in the roles, the screenplay is nicely written and the direction is nice also. If you're looking for a feel-good comedy, this is a good one .
Dannielle A

I really didn't like where it was going, but the end totally justified everything. It ended pretty darn good. I didn't agree with some of the philosophy and theology, but I really liked what was said at the end to sum it all up.
Joseph E

Never quite found out the reason for his needing of a get away with sandra bullock, but it's witty scenes and very suggestive dialouge even it out.
Deb S

Ben Affleck plays an uptight stuffy guy about to walk down the aisle with Bridget (Maura Tierney), but on the way to Savannah he runs into the delectable Sarah (Sandra Bullock) and he begins to wonder if he has made the right decision. The charismatic Steve Zahn is underused as Ben`s… More
Ben Affleck plays an uptight stuffy guy about to walk down the aisle with Bridget (Maura Tierney), but on the way to Savannah he runs into the delectable Sarah (Sandra Bullock) and he begins to wonder if he has made the right decision. The charismatic Steve Zahn is underused as Ben`s best man who covers for him upon discovering Ben`s fake marriage. Nevertheless I loved the cinematography, the unique rain scene and the unexpected twist ending. The sunsets were beautiful, raindrops fell like jewels from the sky and there was one scene towards the end where two people are surrounded by a hurricane yet completely unaware of it, lost in their conversation while the wind twists and howls around them. Well guys you know my favorite scene would be the one in the bar where Bullock has to coax Affleck through every move of his bump 'n' grind routine. Unfortunately, it was cut a bit short, as you never see Ben go full monty, which would have brought down the house lol!
Sunil J

One of the few Ben Affleck movies I really liked.
Leo L

Hilarious!