Return to Me

Released 2000
Stars David Duchovny, Minnie Driver, Carroll O'Connor, Robert Loggia, Bonnie Hunt, David Alan Grier, James Belushi, Joely Richardson
Directed by Bonnie Hunt

Here's an old-fashioned love story so innocent, so naive, so sweet and sincere, that you must leave your cynicism at the door or choose another movie. Bonnie Hunt's "Return to Me" could have been made in 1955, starring Doris Day and James Stewart. It has been made in 2000, starring Minnie Driver and David Duchovny, and I am happy that it has.

Duchovny stars as Bob, a Chicago architect married to Elizabeth (Joely Richardson), who works at the Lincoln Park Zoo. Scenes establishing their happiness are intercut with hospital scenes involving Grace (Driver), who will die of heart disease unless she receives a transplant. To the surprise of nobody in the audience, Elizabeth dies in a tragic accident, and Grace is given her heart.

Do not fear I have revealed too much of the story, because all of this is essentially setup, easily anticipated. What gives the movie its gentle charm is not the melodramatic story, but the warmth of the performances and the way the movie pokes merrily along, teasing us with rewards and disappointments.

Summary by Roger Ebert

Writer/director Bonnie Hunt has a vision and effortlessly creates a sweet film that believes in love, friends and family. She has the courage to spare us from false conflicts as she moves languidly through a predictable plot to a foregone conclusion. That may sound like a compliment and a criticism, but I'm complimenting her on understanding there are times when you just want to watch a story unfold. Even when you know how a story is going to end, sometimes it's just fun to spend time with the characters and feel good as they achieve their goals. The bowling scene was a good example of that as we watched these people have a good time together with no effect on the plot. I really enjoyed the old guys too. They could have been used for cheap laughs, but they really had some great conversations. I could have done without the David Alan Grier character jumping the bones of every woman in sight, but this is a great date movie.

On a personal note, it was kind of hard for us to watch the beginning because my wife and kids had just been in a car accident two nights before. Everyone was ok, but the car was totaled. It was uncomfortable to think about what could have happened... --Bill Alward, January 1, 2002