Absolutely amazing

I wanted to like it more than I actually did... But much of the humor totally escaped me and I walked out only mildly impressed.

It's an amazing and heartbreaking story.

Great example of an old-fashioned, pure-at-heart escapist event movie that doesn't pretend to be anything that it's not and has boat loads of fun being its own ludicrous self.

This movie was kinda heartwarming when it comes to the two main characters, Bob Rueland (David Duchovny) & Grace Briggs (Minnie Driver). I like, how although, the two main characters, are both unaware of the connection they have, with each other, due to a heart transplanted; yet they treat each other, with respect. It's nice to see both characters acts fairly normal. It's so unlike, the more recent romantic comedies that go way over-the-top, with its nearly unlikeable two leads. It's also really nice, not to hear: dumb yelling, screaming, or any mean-spirited comments, before they hook up in the end. It makes the relationship seem, so much, more realistic. Director Bonnie Hunt really knows, how real relationship, honestly works. This is one of the main reasons, why I wanted to return to this film. I know, a lot of critics, have stated out that the film is somewhat tame, predictable, forgettable, bland, and full of clichés. I do kinda agree with them, yet, in my opinion, the film also shows the most realistic portrayal of what real-life 30 something dating is like. In many ways, most true love-effects in real-life, are often; this bland-looking. Yes, I know every love story needs a strong conflict, or it would be, alienating, too mushing or not that entertaining. However, I did like, this movie's unique concept, even if the idea wasn't that strong. The idea that the tragic death of one person can still save the life of another is very interesting. Though, I do agree with the critics, that movie's central conflict with the heart is really no reason, for somebody to have the third act, break up for. I do have to say, regardless of that, the two characters are very likable. David Duchovny is very lovely, as the over-depressed widow trying to get over the death of his wife. I like, how the movie doesn't really, go really overboard with his depression. Still, I would like to see, more signs of it. I was really hoping for a more, 'he stop truly living', kinda of a tone. Also, I think the character needed to be, a little more flesh out, because the whole perfect guy with a heart of gold, feel was a bit, much to take in. For Grace Briggs, Minnie Driver is a beautiful and charming actress. She really does, delivered that, girl next door innocent look, very well. I also love the idea that she suffers from Survivor Guilt. It makes her character, so much more complex. However, I never, really got to understand, if she truly loves Bob, or if that's just her heart, doing that. I know, what the heart wants, the heart gets, but the whole contrived coincidence was a bit impractical. I also didn't really like, the whole spiritualism metaphor side of that in this film. The film makes it seem like Minnie Driver's character was possession by a dead woman's ghost. That's just too creepy! Anyways, like other rom-coms, these characters are often, surrounded by a number of key characters, such as the best friends, Megan Dayton (Bonnie Hunt) & Charlie Johnson (David Allen Grier) who has nothing, better to do, then help their friends, get laid. I can understand, why Charlie would do that, but Megan? She already knew that Grace got her plane ticket to Italy in advance for her painting career. So why would, she help set up a date, here in the States if she knows that Grace will be leaving, soon? It doesn't make any sense. Still, the actors did OK with their limited roles. By far, the best supporting actors in the film are Carroll O'Connor & Robert Loggia. They have some of the best scenes in the film. I couldn't stop, smiling, whenever, they were on screen. Sad to see this, as Carroll O'Connor's final film before his death the following year. The music that this movie use, are pretty memorable as well. I have to say, that the montage set to Frank Sinatra's "At Long Last Love", was wonderful. Overall: While, Return to me might have an unbelievable premise. It's still sweet and romantic enough, not to pay too much attention on it. In my opinion, it's a lovely film that deserve, another look. Return to it.

I'll start by confessing that I generally regard romantic comedy as one of the most dishonest, cynical genres in Hollywood filmmaking, because so many of them follow the same precalculated formula: set up some cockeyed premise and then employ a series of outlandish plot devices to manipulate the audience's emotions in precisely calibrated ways from first frame to last. I approached this one with especially low expectations because of the brazenly contrived gimmick at its core (a grieving young widower unwittingly falls in love with the recipient of his beloved wife's transplanted heart) and its male lead, David Duchovny. I enjoyed Duchovny's tongue-in-cheek performance in the X-Files despite the fact that I never thought he could act a lick. The idea of him as romantic lead in a situation like this had me dreading an afternoon wasted.Well, I couldn't have been more wrong. This is a terrific movie that deftly avoids over-exploiting its basic plot device, instead telling its story in honest, affectionately rendered details and relying on the team play of a marvelously unselfish cast, each of whom is given a turn to shine (even the bit players). Each actor takes full advantage of their opportunities without attempting to upstage the others. One of the things I enjoyed most was how comfortable and familiar the cast are with one another; the whole movie works because of it. The result is characters and a story line that draw you in and make you feel like you know the people involved - and better yet, that they really know and care for one another in the casually intimate way that only the closest-knit friends and families can. This is wonderful ensemble acting led by a director with a light but capable touch. Even Duchovny manages to hold his own among much better actors, delivering some surprisingly earnest scenes and painting his character with appealing honesty and humility.This isn't a perfect movie. It has a slightly TVish feel and there are predictable moments and flat notes here and there, but an ample supply of small delights make up for it ("What was God thinking?"). The strength of this movie is in its performances, and in the decision of the writers and director Bonnie Hunt to establish the initial premise, then let go of it and concentrate on fleshing out well-drawn relationships between engaging characters we can identify with and care about.If you liked "50 First Dates" with Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler, you'll love this. Much broader in its appeal than your standard romcom chick flick, this is a warm, satisfying story about the lifesaving power of love and family.

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"