Return to Me (2000)

Director:

Bonnie Hunt

Writers (WGA):

Bonnie Hunt (story) &
Don Lake (story) ...
(more)

Release Date:

7 April 2000 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Tagline:

A comedy straight from the heart.

Plot:

A man who falls in love with the woman who received his wife's heart must decide which woman it is who holds his heart.

Plot Keywords:

Heart | Restaurant | Waitress | Transplant | Widower

Awards:

1 win & 2 nominations

Cast

David Duchovny	...	Bob Rueland
Minnie Driver	...	Grace Briggs
Carroll O'Connor	...	Marty O'Reilly
Robert Loggia	...	Angelo Pardipillo
Bonnie Hunt	...	Megan Dayton
David Alan Grier	...	Charlie Johnson
Joely Richardson	...	Elizabeth Rueland
Eddie Jones	...	Emmett McFadden
James Belushi	...	Joe Dayton
Marianne Muellerleile	...	Sophie
William Bronder	...	Wally Jatczak
Brian Howe	...	Mike
Chris Barnes	...	Jeff
Adam Tanguay	...	Adam Dayton
Karson Pound	...	Karson Dayton
Tyler Spitzer	...	Tyler Dayton
Laura Larsen	...	Laura Dayton
Austin Samuel Hibbs	...	Austin Dayton
Dick Cusack	...	Mr. Bennington
Joseph Gian	...	Singer / Joey Gian (as Joey Gian)
Tom Virtue	...	Dr. Senderak
Holly Biniak	...	Big Hair
Tamara Tungate	...	Celia
Thomas A. Senderak	...	Paramedic (as Tom Senderak)
Jennie Lew Tugend	...	Jennie
David Pasquesi	...	Tony
Claire Lake	...	E.R. Nurse
Carol Hunt	...	Nurse Alice
Patrick Hunt	...	Danny
Lindsay Allen	...	Delivery Girl
Don Lake	...	Transplant Man
Holly Wortell	...	Marsha
Becky Veduccio	...	Shari
Peter B. Spector	...	Valet Guy
Darryl Warren	...	Father Rudy
Rudy Gabor	...	Italian Singer
William Zirko	...	Italian Singer
Edward Ballog	...	Italian Singer
Angelo Ricco	...	Italian Singer
Alice Hunt	...	Nancy
Franklin E. Jones	...	Chester
Tom Hunt	...	Tom
Jack Cooper	...	Ballroom Bartender
Tim O'Malley	...	Patrick
La Taunya Bounds	...	Zebra Girl
Harry Teinowitz	...	Ice Cream Clerk
Walt Jacobs	...	M.C.
Alan Gresik	...	Pianist - The AG Orchestra (as Alan Gresik's Swing Shift Orchestra)
Romano Ghini	...	Cappucino Man
Gabriella Arena	...	Nun
Paola Sebastiani	...	Nun
Lilliana Vitale	...	Nun
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Kevin Hunt	...	E.R. Doctor (as Dr. Kevin Hunt)
Jimmy Johnson	...	Saxophonist (The AG Orchestra)
Lou Marini	...	Bassist (The AG Orchestra)
John Otto	...	Saxophonist (The AG Orchestra)
Bill Bartelt	...	Street Artist (uncredited)
Larry Crandus	...	Zoo Executive (uncredited)
Ari Golan	...	News Crew (uncredited)
Lisa Harrison	...	Professional Bowler (uncredited)
Laura Orrico	...	Dancer (uncredited)
Lora Starkman	...	Bar Girl (uncredited)
Justin Thaler	...	Construction Foreman (uncredited)

Directed by
Bonnie Hunt

Writing credits (WGA)
Bonnie Hunt		(story) &
Don Lake		(story) and
Andrew Stern		(story) &
Samantha Goodman		(story)
Bonnie Hunt		(screenplay) &
Don Lake		(screenplay)

Produced by
C.O. Erickson	....	executive producer
Melanie Greene	....	executive producer
Jennie Lew Tugend	....	producer

Original Music by
Nicholas Pike

Cinematography by
László Kovács		(director of photography) (as Laszlo Kovacs)

Film Editing by
Garth Craven

Casting by
Franco Alberto Cucchini
Mali Finn

Production Design by
Brent Thomas

Art Direction by
David W. Krummel		(as Dave Krummel)

Set Decoration by
Daniel B. Clancy		(as Daniel Clancy)

Costume Design by
Lis Bothwell

Makeup Department
Ron Berkeley	....	key makeup artist
Janis Clark	....	key hair stylist
Maurizio Lupi	....	hair stylist: Rome
Gilberto Provenghi	....	makeup artist: Rome
Linda Rizzuto	....	key hair stylist (as Linda R. Rizzuto)
Chip Williams	....	makeup artist (as Chip D. Williams)
Suzi Ostos	....	makeup artist (uncredited)

Production Management
Antonio Bruno	....	unit manager: Rome unit
C.O. Erickson	....	unit production manager
Sergio Ladera	....	production supervisor: Rome unit

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Don H. Julien	....	second second assistant director (as Don Julien)
Stefania Nicosia	....	second assistant director: Rome
Artist W. Robinson	....	first assistant director (as Artist Robinson)
Deanna Stadler	....	second assistant director (as Deanna Stadler-Jones)
Eric A. Pot	....	second assistant director: second unit (uncredited)

Art Department
Bill Bartelt	....	watercolor artist (as Bill Bartlet)
Alan Broadbent	....	paint foreman
Andrew M. Charles	....	graphic designer (as Andrew Charles)
Edward England	....	construction coordinator (as Ed England)
Frank Ferrari	....	greens person
Marcie Friedman	....	art department coordinator
Fabio Galliano	....	propman: Rome
Bradley Good	....	on-set dresser
Bradley Good	....	set dresser
Gary Happ	....	construction foreman
Craig Jackson	....	lead set designer
Rich King	....	construction foreman (as Richard King)
Amie McCarthy	....	property master (as Amie F. McCarthy-Winn)
J.D. McCarthy	....	assistant property master
John Mikels	....	stand-by painter
Alessandro Orlandi	....	second art director: Rome
Kerry Sanders	....	set designer
Scott Troha	....	lead man
Wendy Bonn	....	greensman (uncredited)
Wendy Bonn	....	scenic artist (uncredited)
Ray Conchado	....	carpenter (uncredited)
Rob Yale	....	property assistant (uncredited)

Sound Department
Odin Benitez	....	sound effects editor
Gaston Biraben	....	dialogue editor (as Gastón Biraben)
Jim Champagne	....	assistant engineer: Big Band
Steve Copley	....	foley supervisor
Greg Dennen	....	assistant sound engineer
Peter Doell	....	assistant sound engineer
Kira Edmunds	....	first assistant sound editor
Jim Gaudio	....	cableman
Gary Gegan	....	sound re-recording mixer
Joan Giammarco	....	adr editor
Avram D. Gold	....	supervising adr editor
Robert Grieve	....	supervising sound editor
Philip Harrelson	....	technical support
Matthew Iadarola	....	sound re-recording mixer
John Keating	....	consultant: DTS
Diane Lucas	....	adr recordist
Jen MacNeill	....	foley assistant
Vittorio Melloni	....	sound engineer: Rome unit
Willard Overstreet	....	assistant sound editor
Earl Sampson	....	boom operator
Michelle Schubert	....	foley assistant
Allen Sides	....	mixer: Big Band
Allen Sides	....	sound recordist: Big Band
John Sievert	....	foley artist
Scott D. Smith	....	production sound recordist
Greg Steele	....	adr mixer
Robert Zubia	....	sound recordist

Special Effects by
Mark Hogan	....	special effects foreman
Rodman Kiser	....	special effects coordinator
Tiberio Angeloni	....	special effects technician (uncredited)
Franco Galiano	....	special effects (uncredited)

Visual Effects by
Patrick Clancey	....	supervising compositor: The Digital FilmGroup/The Post Group
Mark Intravartolo	....	senior Inferno artist: The Digital FilmGroup/The Post Group
Kevin Kuwada	....	Inferno matte artist: The Digital FilmGroup/The Post Group
Michael Morreale	....	executive producer: The Digital FilmGroup/The Post Group (as Michael J. Morreale)
Nadine Pages	....	post-production coordinator: The Digital FilmGroup - The Post Group
John Stevey	....	systems administrator: The Digital FilmGroup - The Post Group
Jeff Vermillion	....	high definition on-line: The Digital FilmGroup/The Post Group
Paul Westerbeck	....	high definition colorist: The Digital FilmGroup/The Post Group
Karen Klein	....	digital artist (uncredited)
Jason Piccioni	....	visual effects supervisor (uncredited)

Stunts
Mark Harper	....	stunts
Rick Le Fevour	....	stunt coordinator
Tom Lowell	....	stunts
Linda Perlin	....	stunts

Camera and Electrical Department
Richmond L. Aguilar	....	gaffer
Alfredo Betrò	....	focus puller: Rome unit
Alphonse Blumenthal	....	chief lighting technician
Patrizio Bramucci	....	chief lighting technician: Rome unit
Marco Carosi	....	camera operator: Rome
Gerrit Dangremond	....	camera operator: "b" camera
Jennifer Desplinter	....	second assistant camera (as Jennifer DeSplinter Anderson)
Piernicola Di Muro	....	clapper loader: Rome unit
Chris Helcermanas-Benge	....	still photographer
George Kohut	....	camera operator
Robert Krzeminski	....	second company grip
Peter Kuttner	....	first assistant camera
Morgan Michael Lewis	....	key grip
Anthony J. Lullo	....	assistant lighting technician
Mark Purkart	....	dolly grip
Kristine Scott Schultz	....	camera loader
Doriano Torriero	....	key grip: Rome unit
Thomas E. Whalen	....	video assist operator
Kevin Boyd	....	24 frame video operator (uncredited)
Kevin Boyd	....	video assist operator: second unit (uncredited)
Alessio Bramucci	....	best boy electric (uncredited)
Ron Goodman	....	camera operator: SpaceCam (uncredited)
David Howard	....	assistant camera (uncredited)
Kira Parser	....	assistant camera (uncredited)
Dan Urbain	....	crane technician (uncredited)

Casting Department
Jane Alderman	....	casting: Chicago
Lindsey Hayes Kroeger	....	casting assistant (as Lindsey Hayes)
Catherine Head	....	casting associate: Chicago
Mickie McGowan	....	casting: loop group (as Mickie McGowen)
Mark A. Ridge	....	extras casting
Emily Schweber	....	casting associate

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Jacqueline S. Beatka	....	costumer
Agata Cannizzaro	....	costumer: Italian artists
Patrick Caulfield	....	costumer
Nancy Collini	....	costumer: Mr. Duchovny
Beverly Woods	....	key costumer
Lynn Ziehe	....	costumer

Editorial Department
Jennifer Apel	....	first assistant editor
Willow Craven	....	post-production assistant
William Danaher	....	assistant editor (as Bill Danaher)
Phil Hetos	....	color timer
Ginny Parillo	....	negative cutter

Music Department
Julian Bratolyubov	....	music copyist
Sandy DeCrescent	....	music contractor (as Sandy De Crescent)
Marylou Eales	....	music coordinator
Michael Jay	....	music editor
David Low	....	music contractor
Warren Luening	....	musician: trumpet solo
Nicholas Pike	....	conductor
Nicholas Pike	....	orchestrator
Joel Sill	....	executive music producer (uncredited)
Dan Wallin	....	music mixer: orchestra
Dan Wallin	....	music recordist: orchestra
Stuart Balcomb	....	orchestrator (uncredited)

Transportation Department
George DiLeonardi	....	transportation coordinator (as George J. DiLeonardi)
Timothy J. Maxwell	....	transportation captain (as Timothy Maxwell)
Terrence Sweet	....	transportation co-captain
Robert Wallace	....	driver (uncredited)

Other crew
Bridgett Baron	....	payroll accountant
Stacy Basil	....	animal trainer
Jeanne Byrd	....	script supervisor (as Jeanne Byrd Hall)
Brian Cho	....	rights and clearances
Steve Cudzilo	....	assistant location manager
Jennifer Deigl	....	production assistant
Mark A. Echevarria	....	animal trainer
Joy Ellison	....	dialect consultant
Kathryn Loraine Hibbs	....	accountant
Cindy Hochman	....	production coordinator (as Cindy Hochman Price)
Nadya Ichinomiya	....	assistant: Ms. Tugend
C. David Jones	....	production assistant
Eric Knight	....	assistant: Mr. Duchovny
Felice Lattes	....	crowd marshall: Rome unit
Stephanie Lococo	....	production assistant
Kathryn Madden	....	first aid (as Kathryn A. Madden)
James R. McAllister	....	location manager (as James McAllister)
Sukari McGill	....	production assistant
Robert W. McLain	....	craft service
Leslie Mikol	....	key set production assistant
Jeremy Oswald	....	production assistant
Brian C. Pawlowski	....	production assistant
Alicia C. Pritchett	....	production assistant
Anna Raisor	....	assistant production coordinator
Nina Saxon	....	title designer: ends title, New Wave Entertainment
Nina Saxon	....	title designer: main title, New Wave Entertainment
Janien Selfridge	....	production assistant
Michael Singer	....	unit publicist
Jonilyn Spracklen	....	assistant accountant
Seve Spracklen	....	first assistant accountant
Dirk Vahle	....	helicopter pilot
Amy Jo Weinstein	....	assistant: Ms. Driver
Jennifer M. White	....	production secretary (as Jennifer White)
Jonathan Wickens	....	assistant location manager
Little Irma Woodard	....	production assistant
Holly Wortell	....	assistant: Ms. Hunt
Michael Breiburg	....	stand-in (uncredited)
Claudio Costa	....	second assistant super techno crane: Rome (uncredited)
Jessica Drake	....	dialect coach (uncredited)
P.J. Haines	....	chef (uncredited)
Sascia Ippoliti	....	first assistant crane operator: Super Techno Crane, Rome (uncredited)
Steve Kraus	....	dailies projectionist (uncredited)
Sean Lynn	....	assistant chef (uncredited)
Joe Martin	....	production assistant (uncredited)
Lisa Nichols	....	studio teacher (uncredited)
Monica Timmel	....	stand-in (uncredited)
Becky Veduccio	....	assistant: Ms Thomas (uncredited)
David Vlasits	....	office production assistant (uncredited)
Heather White	....	production assistant (uncredited)

Thanks
Charles D. Campbell	....	special thanks (as Dr. Charles D. Campbell)
Steve Fifield	....	thanks
Alexander Gordon	....	special thanks (as Dr. Alexander Gordon)
Kevin Hunt	....	special thanks (as Dr. Kevin Hunt)
Kristen Lukas	....	special thanks (as Dr. Kristen Lukas)
Frank J. Lutrin	....	special thanks (as Dr. Frank J. Lutrin)
Todd Rosenberg	....	thanks
J.G. Stickley	....	thanks
L. Stickley	....	thanks
Brian Sullivan	....	thanks

Production Companies

• JLT Productions
• Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) (presents) (as Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures)

Distributors

• Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) (2000) (worldwide) (all media)
• Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Distributing Corporation (MGM) (2000) (USA) (theatrical)
• MGM Home Entertainment (2001) (USA) (video)
• United International Pictures (UIP) (2000) (non-USA) (theatrical)
• Chapel Distribution (1997) (Australia) (theatrical) (35mm print)
• Filmes Lusomundo (2000) (Portugal) (theatrical)
• United International Pictures (UIP) (2000) (Argentina) (theatrical)
• United International Pictures (UIP) (2000) (Switzerland) (theatrical)
• United International Pictures (UIP) (2000) (Germany) (theatrical)
• United International Pictures (UIP) (2000) (Spain) (theatrical)
• United International Pictures (UIP) (2000) (France) (theatrical)
• Argentina Video Home (Argentina) (DVD)
• Argentina Video Home (Argentina) (VHS)
• Film1 (2013) (Netherlands) (TV) (limited)
• Gativideo (Argentina) (DVD)
• Gativideo (Argentina) (VHS)
• MGM Home Entertainment (Europe) (2001) (UK) (video)
• MGM Home Entertainment (2001) (Germany) (video)
• MGM Home Entertainment (2001) (France) (video)
• United International Pictures (Far East)

Special Effects

• Post Group, The

Other Companies

• BridgeStreet Worldwide  production housing
• Chicago Audio Works  production sound services
• Chicago Studio City  production facilities
• Chicago Studio MovieMakers  cast trailers
• RCA Victor  soundtrack

Also Known As:

MPAA:

Rated PG for language and thematic elements

Runtime:

115 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Italian

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby SR

Certification:

Argentina:Atp | Australia:M | Chile:TE | Finland:S | France:U | Germany:6 (w) | Netherlands:AL | Norway:A | Peru:PT | Portugal:M/12 | Spain:T | Sweden:7 | Switzerland:7 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Vaud) | UK:PG | Singapore:PG | Philippines:G | Iceland:L | South Korea:12 | USA:PG (certificate #36658)

Filming Locations:

Chicago, Illinois, USA

Company:

JLT Productions

Trivia:

The role of Joe Dayton was originally offered to Jon Favreau. He declined, citing the fact that he did not want to portray a supporting character. James Belushi then accepted.

Goofs:

Continuity: Grace sends her letter to her heart donor's family in a small (5-1/2 or 6") envelope, but when she pulls the envelope out from under the box on Bob's dresser, it's grown to be a full size (9") envelope.

Quotes:

Marty:[to Angelo, who is singing Italian songs loudly in the kitchen] Will you go find yourself a gondola?

Movie Connections:

Featured in "The Nostalgia Chick: Return to Me (#6.5)" (2013)

Soundtrack:

But Not for Me

One of the best romantic comedies for all ages.

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.