Un amour infini

Enjoy the acting of Gwyneth Paltrow, (Abby Janello) who plays the role of a woman who lost her husband in a plane crash and is struggling with her love for him and the big hole it has left in her heart. She tries to establish herself in a business with the help of her mother in order to support her two young children. In a very mysterious way this has effected the live of Buddy Amaral, (Ben Afflick) who met Abby's husband at O'Hare Airport in Chicago and had a few drinks with him and offered him his tickets on the plane he was scheduled to fly out on. Buddy Amaral has had a drinking problem and went into rehabilitation, however he was haunted by a horrible thing he caused Abby Janello and followed his 12 Step Program in AA to make amends to any person you hurt while you had been drinking. It is from this part in the story that makes it very interesting with dramatic and heartbreaking events. Excellent film and great entertainment. Enjoy

"Bounce" has the familiar elements of a romance-drama. The premise is quite original and engaging, but as the relationship between Ben and Gwyneth blossoms, we're given the Hollywood treatment. However, Ben and Gwyneth give spirited performances and keep everything afloat. Both of them are extremely charming, have terrific charisma and there are some nice interactions between the two of them. I wasn't touched after I finished viewing this formulaic romance, since I pretty much saw what was coming--but it's a likeable, feel-good movie thanks to the charming performances. It's a good date movie, though I assume the woman will be shedding most of the tears.

My score: 7 (out of 10)

Why, why, why did Jennifer Grey have to go and get a nose job? I hardly recognized her in this movie. IMHO, she looked rather attractive just the way she was.

OK, having got that off my chest, I am one of those who like Bounce, despite Affleck's limitations as an actor and the somewhat predictable plot. A bittersweet, tender romance movie is not really meant to move mountains artistically, nor should it be expected to. But this one does draw you in, emotionally, for better or for worse. Case in point: Look at all the IMDb comments posted on it! And as for those who would have liked more sizzle in the romance between Affleck and Paltrow, remember, this is a film that also has the death of Abby's husband as its constant backdrop, hence, the film's rather understated treatment of their romance, I think.

What makes BOUNCE rise above the average of romantic films is the direction of Don Roos, who also made the eccentric THE OPPOSITE OF SEX. Here he avoids sappiness but every now and then the film gets quite melodramatic. However, Gwyneth Paltrow and Ben Affleck are surprisingly good and have a nice chemistry, in a good and warm date movie.

7/10

BOUNCE (2000) ***1/2 Ben Affleck, Gwyneth Paltrow, Joe Morton, Natasha Henstridge, Jennifer Grey, Tony Goldwyn, Johnny Galecki, Caroline Aaron, Alex D. Linz, David Dorfman. Excellent romantic drama tinged with equal parts tragedy and comedy with Affleck (in one of his best roles to date) as a charming alcoholic ad exec who sobers up after a year of harboring a guilt-plagued secret: - giving his plane ticket to family man Goldwyn en route home only to die in a plane crash killing all aboard – and seeking out the widow to make amends. What he doesn't count on is falling in love with her and the circumstances hovering their impending romance.

Paltrow has never been finer and succeeds in making her character not a victim but an individual coping with the harsh reality of raising her boys by herself and coming to terms with loving again. Written and directed by Don Roos (the script is smart, witty and poignant throughout with characters that feel all too real in what easily could've been manipulatively maudlin. Laugh and cry formula works and the on-again-off-again real-life relationship between the couple underscores all the emotions on full tilt.