Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that the comedy Runaway Bride is fairy-tale light and will appeal to tweens and teens, as well as adults who like their romance on the fantasy side rather than dealing with real, flawed people and thorny situations. Even the trickiest problems are easily resolved, and, of course, everyone lives happily ever after. One punch is thrown; a character is an alcoholic (without the usual drama associated with that addiction); and there are a few off-color terms sprinkled throughout (such as "schmuck," "asshole," "pain in the ass"). There's little on-camera sexuality except for some romantic kissing and the implication that the characters are, and have been, sexually active. A few skimpy costumes are worn at a Hawaiian luau, and one T-shirt clearly reads: "Mountaineers do it against the wall." Lots of clear product placement.
Sexual
Content
Plenty of romantic kisses. Also: some responsibly sexually active adults.
Violence
One punch is thrown.
Language
Occasional swearing and insults: "virgin," "whore," "pain in the ass," "schmuck," "screwed-up," "a--hole," "hell," "one-eyed snake."
Social
Behavior
Encourages being aware of behavior that may hurt other people. Promotes the idea that individuality should strengthen a relationship; having "a mind of your own" is better than abandoning personal likes and opinions to make someone else happy.
Consumerism
Some references in dialogue, others are visual: Budweiser, Michelob, USA TODAY, Busch, RCA, GQ Magazine, Redken, Pepsi, Fed-Ex, Everlast boxing equipment, UTZ snacks, Kenra hair products, and some local New York shops and restaurants.
Drugs / Tobacco /
Alcohol
Social drinking in several settings: in a bar, restaurant, at a luau, at home, at a neighborhood baseball game. The father of the bride is revealed to be an alcoholic and shown with a drink in his hand on multiple occasions; at one time he is very drunk and needs his daughter's assistance before passing out in her car.
