User reviews

When I saw the trailer for this film, I said out loud to no one in particular "this film is going to bomb." I also said that about THE MATRIX and look at what happened there. Now I am not a box office guru by any stretch but I usually have a pretty good gut about what is going to be good and what is going to really suck. In this case I was blinded by my complete and utter apathy towards David Duchovney. Let me put it to you a different way: I don't like his as a person ( from what I have read of him in interviews, he is unbelievably pre-madonna like and he is full of himself considering all he has done is X-Files ) or as an actor. PLAYING GOD was a really poor film but he came off thinking that for some reason he deserved big bucks on the big screen. But I am happy to say that even though those things may still be true about the man, Return To Me is delightful and has it's heart in the right place. Bonnie Hunt has directed a beautiful story and she has told it with class and grace. This is one of the most romantic films I have seen and even though it may seem to be a bit sad and maudlin in its premise, give it a chance and you will be hooked.

It has to be said ( and this pains me to do so ) that the reason this film works so well is because of the story and the cast. Duchovney and Driver are so wonderful and believable here that I honestly wanted to cry along with them. There is one particularly powerful scene when Duchovney comes home after his wife has died and he slumps down on the floor of his house. As it always does, the family dog looks to the door to wait for his wife to come walking in. She doesn't and with his shirt collar still stained with blood, Rob ( Duchovney ) tells him that she is not coming home, ever. He then calls the dog over to him and they seem to share a cry together. The dog lets out a small moan and then Rob cries. And this is one of the most realistic moments of pain I have ever seen in any character in any movie. You can feel his pain and at that moment I forgot I was watching an actor that I generally don't like, and I felt that I was watching someone that I knew moarn the loss of his beloved. This is powerful stuff.

Another strength of the film is the supporting cast. Bonnie Hunt has combined an ethnic melting pot of Irish and Italian characters that share a common bond. They share a pub called O'Reilley's Italian Pub. That is a delicious name all by itself. And heading the diametric scale of clashing cultures is Carol O'Connor and Robert Loggia. These are two proud old men that love their homeland but love their granddaughter and niece ( I think it is ) respectively. And that is the character played by Minnie Driver. This scenario is ripe for comedy and Hunt doesn't miss anything here.

Bonnie Hunt and James Belushi also share some funny moments together as the middle aged married couple and Belushi gets top points as he accepts humility gracefully and shows off his ample keg of a stomach for laughs. With his family consisting of three or four kids, there is very little time for him and the wife to have quality time. And again Hunt handles this with perfect elegance.

This is a wonderful story of finding true love, knowing how lucky you are to have true love and the power of friendship and family. Return To Me is a wonderful romance and even though I still don't have a great admiration for David Duchovney, I have to admit that he was perfect in this role and I could not picture anyone else playing his character. He was sensitive and believable and the movie was good because of him, not just because of him, but he sure added to the flavour.

If you are a sucker for a good romance and you want a good cry, then this is the film for you.

8.5 out of 10 I will see anything that Bonnie Hunt puts out with her in the director's chair.

"Return to Me" is a fine example of quality films that Hollywood can still produce for the whole family. The cast is excellent and includes top old-time actors, stars from intermediate years and newer actors. Carroll O'Connor and Robert Loggia head a quartet of old-time buddies that close O'Reilly's Italian Restaurant each night. O'Connor is Marty O'Reilly, the owner. Loggia is his friend and famous Italian chef, Angelo Pardipillo. James Belushi and Bonnie Hunt are Joe and Megan Dayton. They are family friends of Grace Briggs, played by Minnie Driver. Grace is Marty's granddaughter. She has an inherited heart problem. Across town (Chicago), David Duchovny is a builder, Bob Rueland. He's married to Dr. Elizabeth Rueland, a zoologist at the city zoo. David Grier is Charlie Johnson, a veterinarian at the zoo. He heads a list of friends of Elizabeth and Bob.

That sets the stage for the movie. The opening scenes lay this much out, with more depth. Then the drama begins. This is a tender look at family and friends. It includes deep sorrow at loss of a beloved spouse at a young age. It includes the hope of a miracle for a young life that was born with a genetic disability. It is a film about friends and deep, lasting friendships. It is about loss of parents early in life. It is about a strong, loving relationship between a young woman and her grandfather. It is a film about strong faith and belief in God. It is a story about loss and recovery, illness and healing. It is film about joy, happiness and fun, and love of life.

The whole family should enjoy this uplifting look at life, family, friendship and faith.

This is a completely unrealistic story dripping with sap. It should be too ridiculous to believe, and in some ways it is, but it's also heartwarming, funny, romantic and piercingly nostalgic. I loved it in 2000 and after 20 years I love it still. Just enjoy.

I was introduced to this movie by my wife. At first, I thought "Oh no, not another romcom!". I am a huge X-FILES fan, and took some solace in the fact that David Duchovny was involved. Still, I figured I was doomed.

Well, I'm extremely happy to report that the opposite was true. I even tried to find fault with the movie, until realizing it was actually very good.

Duchovny shows a deeper, sensitive (!) side as Bob Rueland that I never would have expected. The loss of his wife (Joely Richardson) causes him to break down and withdraw from everything. Duchovney pulls this off in realistic fashion. My jaw dropped, and -egad!- I cried!

Minnie Driver's Grace Briggs, who has a physical issue that allows for the central drama / romance to unfold, is genuine and warm without being tiresome. Her grandfather and uncle (Carroll O'Connor and Robert Loggia) are a pair of gruff, older gentlemen who love each other in spite of their constant bickering.

Enter Writer, Director Bonnie Hunt and Jim Belushi as Grace's friends, and parents of a big family of their own. The interactions between them are hysterical and touching. My God! They're like a real family!

Ms. Hunt has definitely hit the top of her game here. The situations roll out naturally, even when they seem a bit impossible or somewhat supernatural. The comedy is perfectly sewn into the story, as is the tragedy. This makes the movie funny and uplifting. In other words: You may be laughing through tears.

I'm glad I was shown this film and would recommend it to anyone looking for a non-sappy, modern love story...

If you've seen Sleepless in Seattle, I predict your reaction to Return to Me is going to be about the same.

The story is fairly predictable, so if you're looking for surprising twists you're looking at the wrong movie. However, sometimes the journey is more important than the destination, so the way to enjoy this movie is to enjoy the cast and the characters along the way.

It's also a pleasant relief to watch a movie that's not built around people at their worst or people who hate each other, but that can still tell a story.

The movie just touches on the notion that transplanted body parts also bring some aspect of the original owner to the recipient. It's just a bit hokey to suggest that one person is fated to be with a particular body part of another. However, the movie scored back a few points with me by not getting too heavy-handed with that idea, and ultimately even backing off from it.

The cast does a good job. Between the acting and the screenplay the characters all come across as real people. I particularly want to note that Minnie Driver did a good job substituting an American accent for her Brit accent.

I watched this movie in ICU several days after coming out of a coma. A nurse pulled the TV next to me and put the movie on as I was scared to go to sleep. At the time I wasn't sure if I was going to survive, but this movie lifted my heart and made me realise that despite the odds against me, I was alive and I had survived. I bought my own copy of the movie after leaving hospital and think about this film often.

Bob (David Duchovny) and Elizabeth Rueland (Joely Richardson) are happily married. After a fundraiser, they get into a car accident and she is killed. Meanwhile, sickly Grace Briggs (Minnie Driver) is in the hospital and she gets transplanted with Elizabeth's heart. About one year later, Grace is still self-conscious about the heart transplant. Her family (Carroll O'Connor, Robert Loggia) runs an Irish-Italian restaurant. Bob is heart broken and his best friend Charlie (David Alan Grier) keeps trying to set him up. Sparks fly when Grace meets Bob at the restaurant but they don't know their other connection.

Duchovny and Driver have adorable chemistry together. That's why the movie needs to bring them together sooner. A much more tighter opening would be very helpful. Written by Bonnie Hunt and Don Lake, there are a lot little charming jokes from everybody especially the side characters. It's very much a comedy from many character actors. A lot of it is very funny. This is a very sweet comedic romance.

Return to Me is a movie you will want to own. It is a story of inspiration and family love that appeals to all ages. The story, though seemingly impossible, aspires to divine intervention when a man looses his wife in a tragic accident and finds that love again in the woman who receives his wife's heart. David Duchovny and Minnie Driver give warm hearted performances as the designated to-be-lovers who meet by chance. But the real story lies in the friends and family around them who love and support them in times of trial. Carol O'Connor as Minnie Driver's grandfather, is authentic in every scene. Bonnie Hunt as the friend whose wit and encouragement underlines Minnie as a 'sister' is funny yet warm in the scenes especially with James Belushi as her husband. Classic scenes and writing makes this story so enjoyable and touching to watch over and over again. Thank you for making a movie that demonstrates families and friends as close knit caring people who love each other through difficult times.

Joely Richardson and David Duchovny are a married couple, Elizabeth and Bob. They've got the perfect marriage. Naturally we can't have that, or else why are WE here? Grace (Minnie Driver) needs a heart transplant. When Elizabeth is killed in a car accident a movie that was top heavy with British accidents (haha, I mean 'actresses') loses one so that the other might live. A heartbroken Bob, after a suitable period of mourning has elapsed, accepts a blind date at the hybrid Italian/Irish bar where Grace is a waitress. Grace who has Liz's heart beating in her chest. You can guess the rest.

Written, directed and starring that woman who was Renee Zellweger's sister in Jerry Maguire, Return to Me has an immensely likeable cast and a script that manages to be tender and not too cloying. All the same, this is, as they say, a chick movie, and after a good long spell I had the most gleefully malevolent thought: wouldn't it be hilarious if Grace got killed in a car accident too? And then Bob's dog could get run over to complete the hat trick. When such thoughts come into the mind, and the inevitable sinister giggling, one has to face the fact that this is a story that is just a bit too pretty to be believable. It's wish fulfilment stuff. It's like some old Cary Grant melodrama but without the heavy palpitations of melodrama.

Maybe Duchovny is the problem. This probably pre-dated his work on Californication, but if you've seen the kind of fast-talking priapic knight-in-whisky-soaked-armour he played in that one then it's harder to accept him as Bob the builder. Also, he has more sparks with Richardson than with Driver, so I'd rather the actresses had swopped roles. But I'm nit-picking. This is a likeable movie but one that lives in a daydream, a daydream that has a bit too much oestrogen in it. True love needs testosterone too.

Oh, and check the IMDB trivia section. The movie is full of goofs.

As someone who has had multiple organ transplants, may I saw that Minnie Driver's character bears no resemblance to any of the organ recipients I've shared hospital quarters with. Nor does she bear much resemblance to herself when she is with a potential boyfriend. The wit and poise her character displays with friends and family and colleagues disappear when it comes to potential lovers. She doesn't give them a chance: "As soon as they know, they think of me as broken."

Not in my experience. Unfortunately, the filmmakers wanted to make a tearjerker, not a vigorous movie about survival. Her childish insecurity hinges on vanity but, to state the obvious, a healed surgical scar is minor compared to things like the regimen of drugs (including steroids that can deform you), and the fact that transplants don't last forever, so your clock ticks so loud that your loved ones hear it too. And how a potential partner responds to that is something you want to know early.

Duchovny and Driver both deserve better, as do those of us who have had transplants, and the wonderful people who love us.

I watched this movie again yesterday with a 20-year-old intern from my office (OK - it was the quiet day after Thanksgiving) and we both loved it. I love the unique plot, David Duchovny, David Allen Greer, and the way the dog keeps waiting at the door. Isn't part of each of us just like that dog after someone we love dies?

I also love the old folks at the restaurant - they remind me of some of the older people around Southern New England, where your ethnic group is a very important topic of discussion. And I love the wedding at the end.

Minnie Driver is great in this movie - and Bonnie Hunt should have won an award for everything.

Bonnie - make more movies!

This movie had it's downsides. First, that whole business about the wife's project to help the monkey seemed kind of ridiculous and superficial. They could have picked a more inspiring cause. Think about it. Second, it was a little too melodramatic. They could have done without David wailing on the floor, or Grace wailing down the street on her bicycle. Those scenes could have been made sympathetically tragic and moving, but instead they were just cringe moments in the movie. Another thing is why does David's friend give Grace a goodbye kiss when it seemed like he just met her? That would be immensely inappropriate in real life.

That said, there are great aspects of the movie. First, the plot was excellent. The story was original, unusual, and charming. Second, the movie had great characters. There was excellent chemistry between Grace and David, and the men in the restaurant were delightful. One funny scene was when the men are out in the garden, and one of them pretends he's Marlon Brando playing with the children and then collapsing from a heart attack! While the movie had some weak points, it was energized by these positive aspects.

It's not the worst movie I've evr seen - no, not at all. But it's forgettable anyhow... There are good actors like Minnie Driver, Bonnie Hunt and that remarkable bunch of elderly men, but they aren't given the possibility to show what they can do. Just imagine what they could have been like in a better movie, that is a movie with a better plot and more depth... It's just another of those pseudo-tragic lovestories where you know in the beginning exactly how it'll end after 90 endless minutes. It's cute somehow, but not cute enough. It's nice to look at, but not nice enough. It's just a bit too pretty, a bit too innocent and a (great) bit too boring. It's a shame really, as I believe that Bonnie Hunt could have done more as a director.(As an actess she was good enough.)...

David Duchovny shines in this movie! He refreshingly shows that he IS able to play other types of characters besides that of his trademark character, Fox Mulder.

Don't get me wrong, he is great in the X-Files, but it is about time we saw him in something that highlights his talents! All we ever see of him is the monotone "Fox Mulder, FBI".

He had the best performance in this movie because it was greatly different from others he has done. He showed kindness, charm, and humor. A rare thing you see from the X-Files hottie.

If you love David Duchovny and want to see him in something different than your usual alien hunting FBI agent, see this movie. He will take your breath away!

If a person dies, but their heart is preserved, does their soul live on as well? Further, can the heart (as in the Soul) choose who it will inhabit next? These metaphysical questions are what's under the skin of the feature film debut of actress/producer Bonnie Hunt, "Return To Me."

The story is quite simple: A woman, Grace (Minnie Driver), is in imminent need of a new heart and gets it in the nick of time from a car accident victim named Elizabeth (Joely Richardson). Elizabeth died the night of a big fund-raiser for her ape exhibit at a Chicago zoo; basically the culmination of her life's work. In a touching sequence, Grace's family celebrates the success of the heart transplant while Elizabeth's husband, Bob (David Duchovny), grieves from his sudden, crushing loss. A year later both Bob and Grace have resumed living normal lives. Of course, they meet and fall for each other almost instantly. The way this coincidence is presented makes it seem like no coincidence, but rather, fate.

The supporting characters are well-cast and include James Belushi, the director herself, David Alan Grier, Robert Loggia, and Carroll O'Connor, as Grace's loving grandpa, Marty. He and his card game pals (William Bronder, Eddie Jones, and Loggia), form a sort of club whos only requirement is being a widower. Their antics provide most of the laughs, and there are plenty in this film.

There's also plenty of charm, almost too much. The film's creators skimp on drama, making the thing one long high point with a few emotional dips here and there. The story unravels rather anti-climactically and predictably. I guess I just like my movies to be a bit more challenging. But that's about my only complaint with this otherwise solid romantic comedy. It's good, clean fun too. Feel free to bring the whole family.

Grade: B-

Can David Duchovny overcome the type-cast of Agent Fox Mulder? This is a wonderful beginning. MGM's "Return to Me" stars David Duchovny and Minnie Driver in a light-hearted comedy that is tender and romantic. The center of the plot to this film is a "heart". Sure we have the blooming hearts of our main leads but we also have the magic of a real beating heart. You see these star-crossed lovers have a connection to this heart. Driver needs the beating heart to heal her from a heart defect and Duchovny's wife is the donor after she is tragically killed in an auto accident.

"Return to Me" is one of those romantic comedies that suffer a lot from the cliché of the formula but as we watch we really just don't care. What makes this film a notch or two higher than the average comedy is its beautiful honesty and tender characters. Minnie Driver has a lot to do with why this film is so successful in this aspiration. Like her film credits behind her, Minnie has nailed the "insecure girl next door" image down to a science. And its that science that makes "Return to Me" so passionate and gentle. Building off that strong of a center you have a beautiful set of characters around her that accent her inner magic.

As the film opened, I was worried about the "stiff" acting of David Duchovny and wondered if he had what it takes to be a romantic lead. In some ways I found myself surprised by his talent. One scene that really grabbed me was when he fell down in front of the front door. Overwhelmed with tears, he stretches out for his dog which loved his wife as much as he. These scenes with the dog brought out a side of Duchovny which was wonderful, passionate and honest. They brought out a depth Duchovny really has never touched on. There were a lot of stiff scenes Duchovny seemed to be lost in but from just seeing those dog scenes I think in time Duchovny may open up. Some of my favorites moments in the film are in the brilliant chemistry of the four patriarchs who look out for Minnie. Carroll O'Connor and Robert Loggia are two of Minnie's guardians. Its great to see these veteran actors doing something so light hearted. This is a group we won't soon forget because they were hiliarious. Other stand-outs were Bonnie Hunt and James Belushi who had a lot of great lines and chemistry. Their family scenes were warm and fuzzy and made you smile a lot. Bonnie Hunt also directed and co-wrote this film and in these tender funny scenes you could see her magic touch. Way to go, Bonnie.

Even though Duchovny's wife, played by Joely Richardson, wasn't in the film very long I have to mention her. This actress is one of the ones who is always great but is never the lead. Come on casting agents give Joely a chance. So go grab your wife or your girlfriend and see this perfect date movie. Guys, you'll get lots of points taking her to this. (3.5 of 5) So Says the Soothsayer

I love this movie! It has everything! Bonnie Hunt did a fantastic job co-writing, directing and co-starring in this film. David Duchovny is just plain hot. and Minnie Driver is as cute as ever. combine all that talent with David Allen Grier, Carol O'Connor, Robert Loggia, Joley Richardson, and Jim Belushi you have a Oscar worthy movie! I'm surprised they didn't get one. if you haven't seen it, go rent the DVD, watch it once then put directors commentary on...Bonnie Hunt is Fabulous!

I just watched this move for the 5th or 6th time and am still in love with it. It still makes me cry and sing and worry and celebrate.

I almost wrote Bonnie Hunt a letter to tell her how much I love it. David Duchovny's grief scene is so flippin real!!! Minnie Driver is so natural and honest. My favorite line is when Duchovny says "I miss Elizabeth but I ache for Grace". Oh man! I'm crying just thinking about it. ALSO... Bonnie Hunt and Jim Belushi are sooooooooooooo the perfect Chicago area couple!! I know them I swear! I'm related to them I'm sure.

This movie is in my three times a year rotation!!! I'd watch it once a week but I'm afraid I'd get too used to it!!! I always want to make it a special day when I watch it!!

While not a big budget blockbuster, "Return To Me" pushes all the right buttons for those who enjoy this overworked genre. The film offers an interesting premise; doesn't take itself too seriously; showcases some okay acting talent; and serves up some refreshing creativity. More than your trite chick flick, those who just go with it will likely chuckle and weep. Home is where the heart is.

An eminently forgettable love story with a paper thin plot, no character development and mediocre acting. 60-75% of screen time is taken up watching a bunch of old men play cards, bowl, discuss dead italian musicians, and jabber on and on about nothing meaningful whatsoever. At the end of the movie, I knew nothing more about any of the characters than I did at the start. My thought during the last moments of the film was "So what? Who are these people, why should I care, and why did I waste my time watching them?" Perhaps they should have set up the dog with the gorilla - at least something interesting might have taken place on screen. 2/10.

My two daughters (ages 11 and 13) and I were lucky enough to see a screening of this movie last night. We were all pleasantly surprised to see how entertaining and funny this movie was. David Duchovny was very appealing as the male lead and Minnie Driver gave her usually competent performance. Some of the scenes are laugh out loud funny - especially one scene Minnie Driver has with a fellow "transplant" donee. I liked the fact that it was a movie that I could watch with my children and I wasn't embarrassed by any scene whatsoever. Everyone in the movie theater was laughing and enjoying themselves. Thumbs up Bonnie Hunt!

THE GOOD - A deep cast and no villains make this romantic comedy a nice movie. David Duchovny does a nice job in a low-key role. I've read in several reviews (not here) that James Belushi stole the movie with his supporting role but I thought if anyone did that it was Carroll O'Connor, not Belushi. O'Connor is just great as the kind, Godly Irish grandfather. He and all the older people, actually, are fun to watch in their matchmaking roles.

THE BAD - For such a pleasing story, the language could have been toned down. Having a young kid blaspheme by saying "GD" was inexcusable, although it does point out the importance of parents being a better "witness" as their children often mimic them. Minnie Driver is okay but doesn't seem to fit the role and I wish Hollywood would come up with a different angle in these romance-comedies instead of the same "lying" routine all the time.

All in all, a pleasant but unmemorable 'chick flick.'

I took my girlfriend to this movie; and within ten minutes of the beginning of the movie, she explained the entire plot to me. There are a couple of old men that make small portions of this film funny, but these moments are few and far between. I wouldn't watch this movie again even if it were free. It's hard for me to believe that this waste of film ever received a vote higher than 3. Finally, if the soundtrack contains a self-titled song, it shouldn't bite.