Return to Me (2000)

Wow...so surprised by this film. Firstly, I am not a David Duchovney fan, so I approached the film with some reservations. It was a quiet Sunday afternoon though, so what the heck. This picture grabbed me right away. It has everything. I would put it in the category of Romance, as opposed to a romantic comedy because Romance is the central theme and is what drives this film. The comedy...and there is plenty of it is secondary, to add to the films appeal, but it doesn't have that forced or intentional feel to it as it is very much the humor that comes out of everyday life.The whole cast is phenomenal. The restaurant clique was both hilarious and heartwarming. The addition of Jim Belushi with his average Joe manner also gave the film a credible touch. Throw together 2 people who are inexperienced with dating and the rest is again, the things that everyday humor is made of.I can't say enough about this film other than, watch it! It has something for everyone...drama, comedy, romance, pathos and joy. Entertainment at its finest!

To be honest, I originally watched this flick because of the title song -- I'm a huge Dino fan -- and I wondered what they did with his million seller...and they did fine...although I prefer the original arrangement. And it was nice to hear several other Dino songs in the soundtrack.But after I heard his song as the opening, I stuck around and discovered a very nice romantic comedy, and one well worth watching.I'm not a David Duchovny fan at all, but he does very nicely here as the husband (though his crying looked a little silly). I think it was in this film that I discovered Minnie Driver, the recipient of the heart transplant...wow, what an actress, and the very picture of loveliness. It was nice to see Carroll O'Connor in what was his last film, as the father of Driver; be prepared...he seems very old here...deteriorating health had caught up with him...and he lived only another year. I have always enjoyed performances by Robert Loggia, and no less so here...as the family friend and chef. Bonnie Hunt, as always, lends something positive to any production. I was going to write that I never understood why David Alan Grier hadn't caught on, since I've always enjoyed him...but when I looked him up again I discovered he's very active and successful on Broadway. The rest of the cast is very pleasant and enjoyable...even Sidney! It's difficult to find much in this film that deserves criticism. There are a few places where they could have picked the pace up just a bit, but that's just about the only negative comment I have. It's a good love story. Nothing more, nothing less.

On a rainy night, Chicago architect David Duchovny (as Bob Rueland) loses his beloved wife to a car accident. Meanwhile, bedridden artist Minnie Driver (as Grace Briggs) hovers near death, desperately needing a heart transplant. As you might imagine, Ms. Driver receives the heart belonging to Mr. Duchovny's dying wife. After a period of mourning, veterinarian pal David Alan Grier (as Charlie Johnson) tries to get Mr. Duchovny to date shallow, mouthy women. While on a funny double date (thanks to Holly Wortell), Duchovny meets Driver. The two have an instant, magical attraction...Driver is a waitress at the Italian bar/restaurant run by Irish grandfather Carroll O'Connor (as Marty O'Reilly) and Italian brother-in-law Robert Loggia (as Angelo Pardipillo). With elderly pals Eddie Jones and Wally Jatczak, they discuss how singers Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra differed in beating others; the former took a more "hands on" approach. This was notably the last appearance for Mr. O'Connor, best known for his long-running TV role as lovable bigot "Archie Bunker". Writer/director Bonnie Hunt (as Megan) and loud-mouthed James Belushi (as Joe Dayton) provide additional support.This is what they call a "chick flick", with Ms. Hunt and "The X-Files" star Duchovny offering distaff viewers a dreamy leading man; he's handsome, well-built, romantic, masculine, sensitive, straight and sexy......and his hair is Perfect.***** Return to Me (4/7/00) Bonnie Hunt ~ David Duchovny, Minnie Driver, Carroll O' Connor, Bonnie Hunt

Somehow this movie has made it onto our "watch it again and again" list. Even though we know exactly what's going to happen, it's a sweet story, well told, well written, well casted, well acted. It's got everything if you like "romatic comedies" or "romantic drama." They've done a good job weaving hints at things later revealed into the early parts of the movie. I won't give them away, but the more you watch it the more of them you see.Yeah, and it's quotable, too:"your ass is ringing" "I don't want Swiss water" "This is Bob. His wife is dead." "No one is going to notice your chest"