Cinema: Forces Of Nature

Ben Affleck is two days away from marrying nice Maura Tierney (c'mon now, who wouldn't want to marry Maura Tierney?) when he meets kookissima Sandra Bullock on a very bumpy plane ride. She plays one of those "irresistible" hysterics who love life so ferociously their hugs would smother it at birth. This romantic comedy is just as pushy, and a disaster. All its desperate plot maneuvers (Ben and Sandra making like Tarzan on a train roof) can't give the film wit; all the slo-mo sleet, rain and confetti can't give it style. And why do the three stars look so drawn and pocky? Well, it had to come sometime: this is DreamWorks' first reprehensible fiasco.

--By Richard Corliss