FORCES OF NATURE

US, 1999, 103 minutes, Colour.
Sandra Bullock, Ben Affleck, Maura Tierney, Steve Zahn, Blythe Danner, Ronny Cox.
Directed by Bronwen Hughes.

Forces of Nature is a modern version of the old screwball comedy. It focuses on an eccentric young woman, her behaviour in a plane crash, her interactions with a rather staid man on his way to his wedding. The various incidents along the way mean that his composure is threatened and she finds she has to settle down. The ending is not quite the one that we have been expecting.

The film was made in 1999 when Sandra Bullock was on a roll with a variety of dramas and comedies. Ben Affleck was also on a roll – though, as frequently in his films, he is particularly wooden. There is a stronger supporting cast with Maura Tierney and Steve Zahn. This is one of those films of which there are many – entertaining in the moment but no memorable.

1. The title, its ironies?

2. The popularity of romantic comedies, popular stars, echoes of the 30s screwball comedies? Expectations – met or not?

3. The New York settings, Savannah, Georgia, the American road? The musical score and songs?

4. The bachelor party, noise and the usual shenanigans? Alan and his role? The grandfather and his heart attack? The mood, the customs for the bachelor party? The marriage, the relationship between Bridget and Ben? The video? The travel? On the plane, the divorcee? Sarah and her history, the crash, the couple on the train, Bridget’s parents, the oldies’ point of view? The bridesmaid? Ben’s parents? Love?

5. Ben and his parents, love, the phone call? The timing, the airport, the plane, the encounter with Sarah, the impact of the crash? His phone call, the car and the lift, the series of disasters, the drugs and the truckie, their being arrested, prison, getting the money? Getting the train, left behind? The bus and the driver? Their being exposed? The cash burning? The striptease and Ben’s performance? The final storm – and the effect of the forces of nature?

6. Sandra Bullock’s style as Sarah, a free spirit, at the airport, her interactions with Ben, the shared journey, the crash?

7. The fights, the clashes, the truth? Going to the wedding?

8. The portrait of the parents, their attitudes, relationship with Ben? With Bridget?

9. Alan, friend, the party, support?

10. Bridget, her love for Ben, the preparation for the marriage, her parents, the encounters, the boyfriend?

11. The range of different characters, the people that they met, the old people, the characters on the train, the gay bar?

12. The wedding, the storm? The decisions – Sarah and her coming to her senses, going to visit her child, the toy? Ben and his going on to the marriage?

13. The popularity of this kind of light romantic comedy?