Forces Of Nature review

As accidental travelling companions go, there's little doubt that Sandra Bullock wins hands down over Del Griffith. Those requiring further information on this matter should avail themselves of classic Steve Martin/John Candy comedy Planes, Trains And Automobiles for full 'they're not pillows', pants-in-the-washbasin details. But even allowing for the more comely and considerably less portly Ms Bullock, this journey is no less fraught with obstacle and disaster.

Ben (Ben Affleck) has a few days to get from New York to his wedding with Bridget (Maura Tierney) in her home town of Savannah, Georgia. He meets the turbulently sexy Sarah (Bullock) when their plane south takes asideways and not-very-airborne route across the runway, and his unwitting heroism saves her life.

So she's indebted to him. Determined to return the favour. And since both have vowed not to fly following their traumatic near miss, Sarah commits herself to organising passage to Savannah, and despite his reservations, Ben is tugged along regardless.

Every other means of transport they try, however, seems doomed to bizarre failure or delay. But Sarah is ingenious and resourceful and employs all at her disposal to keep the couple moving in a roughly southerly direction, however slowly.

The clock is rapidly ticking down though, and as if the sudden emotional turmoil stirred up by this beguiling and unpredictable woman wasn't enough for Ben, there's some rather inclement weather boiling up behind that could really put the mockers on their trip.

Even if a film is a little flimsy in places, there's no legislating for the ability of certain performers to connect with an audience, and on occasion, a picture may be carried along by dint of actorly charm alone: this is why there are movie stars. Affleck is coming off the back of invaluable (however poor the movie) blockbuster participation in Armageddon, a clever support turn in Shakespeare In Love, and of course the lauded Good Will Hunting.

And though Bullock's recent history hasn't been so kind - Practical Magic with Nicole Kidman met with mixed reception; tepid, soft-focus tosh Hope Floats rightly panned across the board - her pleasing, slightly off-the-wall appeal will never be shackled to individual pictures, whether good, bad or indifferent.

Not that this colourful, energetic romantic comedy would have been an utter dog without them, but pitching two attractive, well-matched leads into an agreeably distracting melee has certainly helped.

Special effects to evoke rising storm conditions have evidently broadened the budget, and the film-makers get away with any lapses in this department by virtue of the film's general mood - more surreal comic-fable than realistic drama.

Maura Tierney - seen previously in Primary Colors and with Jim Carrey in Liar, Liar - adds another notch to the credit column by making her supporting role more than it might have been, and confirming the ascendancy of performers over material in this bright, inoffensive fluff.