March 21, 1999 -- "Forces of Nature" is a movie that starts out with very few good ideas, but then takes those ideas and makes every wrong choice possible right up to the ghastly, confused ending.

I went to see the movie Friday night at the Wyo. There was a big crowd. They were laughing at everything at first. They were in a good mood, but the movie gradually cured them of that.

This romantic road comedy stars the very likable Sandra Bullock ("Speed") and Ben Affleck ("Good Will Hunting"), as Sarah, a free spirit, and Ben Holmes, a jacket writer on his way from New York to Savannah to get married. It is the same basic plot as "It Happened One Night," and a couple of hundred movies since then.

The two are involved in a plane crash and then, through a series of circumstances are thrown together for a lengthy cross-country trip using planes, trains, buses and automobiles. The idea is that they are supposed to fall and love and Ben is supposed to call off the wedding. Meanwhile, his fiance, Bridget (Maura Tierney) is also having second thoughts about the wedding.

The circumstances that keep these two together are wildly improbable. At one point, even though they are hundreds of miles off course, they somehow manage to bump into the best man and bridesmaid of Ben's wedding at an out-of-the-way motel. This sets up one of the most awkward scenes in the movie involving two fully-clothed people trying to hide underwater in a swimming pool.

There's a scene involving the sale of a bagel shop that doesn't seem to go anywhere and a heart attack is played for laughs. The ending of the film is very awkward, indeed. It should leave most audiences in disbelief. Good comedy requires sharp dialogue and good timing and this film has neither. Even Steve Zahn, one of my favorite actors ("Out of Sight") seemed lost in this film. I also really liked Sandra Bullock in most of her films, but here, she seems as out of place as she did in "Two if by Sea."

There's a pretty good bit with a wild and crazy car rental driver named Vic and a few funny gags along the way, but there are a lot more misses that hits in this comedy. There are also some very nice special effects with slow-motion shots of rain and hail. The production quality is obvious. A lot of money and talent went into this film and most of it disappeared. It rates a D.

Click here for links to places to buy this movie in video and/or DVD format, the soundtrack, books, even used videos, games and lots of other stuff. I suggest you shop at least two of these places before buying anything. Prices seem to vary continuously. For more information on this film, click on this link to The Internet Movie Database. Type in the name of the movie in the search box and press enter. You will be able to find background information on the film, the actors, and links to much more information.