Return to Me (2000)

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.

Director:

Bonnie Hunt

Writers:

Bonnie Hunt (story), Don Lake (story)

Stars:

David Duchovny, Minnie Driver, Carroll O'Connor

1 win & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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
Jim Belushi	...	Joe Dayton (as James Belushi)
Marianne Muellerleile	...	Sophie
William Bronder	...	Wally Jatczak
Brian Howe	...	Mike
Chris Barnes	...	Jeff
Adam Tanguay	...	Adam Dayton
Karson Pound	...	Karson Dayton

Storyline

The film opens with a loving husband and wife preparing for a very important fund raising dinner. The evening ends with the loss of the wife. In a hospital a weak young woman who may die soon if she can not get a new heart. Jump ahead one year the young woman received a heart and is trying to adjust to a life no longer counted by hours or days, she can actually make plans. The grieving husband and his dog are still trying to adjust to life without his wife. His friends keep trying to pry him from his "work is my life" existence by setting him up on blinds dates. Finally he actually shows up for one at an Irish-Italian restaurant where he finds himself more attracted to the waitress than his blind date. He finds an excuse to return to the restaurant in hopes of seeing the waitress again, there's just something attractive about her. Unknown to both the attraction they both feel for one another is Grace has the heart of Bob's dead wife. What can you say after that! Carroll O'Connor says ...

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Plot Keywords:

scar | survey | blood | hospital | looking at oneself in a mirror | 

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Taglines:

For the strength to be strong; for the will to carry on; for everything you do; for everything that's true; I turn to you.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for language and thematic elements

Details

Official Sites:

MGM

Country:

USA

Language:

English Italian

Release Date:

7 April 2000 (USA)

Also Known As:

Distance Calls

Filming Locations:

828 West Grace Street, Chicago, Illinois, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$24,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$7,820,836, 9 April 2000

Gross USA:

$32,722,798

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$36,609,995

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), JLT Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

115 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

O'Reilly's Restaurant (a real Chicago eatery known as "Twin Anchors") is actually on a corner. A false building was built next to it on the left for the movie. In the scene where Grace is on the balcony talking on the phone to Bonnie Hunt's character, you can see the street curb in front of the restaurant curve and ramp down like a street corner. The orange brick building to the left is totally fake and was built in the adjacent street for the movie.

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Goofs

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.

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Quotes

Bob Rueland: [lying to avoid going out] Sorry, Charlie. I think it's something I ate, you know? I think I'm just going to stay home, take it easy. What am I doing right now? I'm watching the Cubs game. What's the score?
[fumbles frantically for the remote, which doesn't work; gives up]
Bob Rueland: Uh, the Cubs are losing.

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Connections

References Going My Way (1944)

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Soundtracks

I Second That Emotion
Written by Al Cleveland (as Alfred Cleveland) and Smokey Robinson (as William Robinson,
Jr.)
Performed by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles (as Smokey Robinson and The Miracles)

User Reviews

A warm, fuzzy romantic comedy with heart. ***1/2 out of ****.

RETURN TO ME / (2000) ***1/2

Starring: David Duchovny, Minnie Driver, Bonnie Hunt, David Alan Grier, Joely Richardson, James Belushi, Robert Loggia, Eddie Jones, and Carroll O'Connor. Directed by Bonnie Hunt. Written by Bonnie Hunt and Don Lake. Running time: 113 minutes. Rated PG (for language and thematic elements).

"Return to Me" is a warm and fuzzy romantic comedy with heart-in metamorphic and literal terms. Unlike a lot of recent romances, this film is not suggestive or sexy, but gentle and gradual. Director, writer and star Bonnie Hunt is descriptive in believable methods, detailing human emotions and the bitterness loneliness. This is one of the most effective, if somewhat formulaic, comedy-dramas this year.

David Duchovny stars as Bob Rueland, a modern day construction consultant. He and his wife, Elizabeth (Joely Richardson), are a happily married, offspring-free couple living a life of honesty and hard work. Elizabeth is in the process of founding a natural habitat for gorillas currently living in enclosed captivity. Bob's best friend, Charlie Johnson, (David Alan Grier) supports the Rueland's whenever need may be.

"Return to Me" contains two separate story lines before narrative connection in the second act. The secondary story centers on a young woman named Grace Briggs (Minnie Driver), who requires a heart transplant in the very near future. Megan and Joe Dayton (Bonnie Hunt and James Belushi) support her. This family owns an Italian Restaurant in which Bob and Grace meet one night.

This is an excellent setup containing thoroughly developed characters, a clear dramatic premise, emotional and physical conflicts, and an unusual structure. Although we do not witness some of the important narrative actions, (Grace's recovery from surgery, an automobile accident resulting in the death of a character), the film firmly paces itself with various plot elements and emotional qualities.

"Return to Me" inhabits many enormously likable characters. Both central characters, Bob Rueland and Grace Briggs, empathetic and believable, are in a homespun situation. They both contain chemistry-rich elegance and gracefulness. There are very funny moments planted by Megan and Joe's comically dysfunctional family. This family appears somewhat unfocused but wisely portrayed as background characters developing Grace's lifestyle with more depth.

The film's humor is handled with delicacy and knowledge. The filmmakers are careful not to travel over the top in hilarity; this is not a story about slapstick issues but about heartfelt secrets and personal fears. Comedy is not overabundant nor overwhelming and does not distract the story from developing its themes. Every funny moment in "Return To Me" is scattered throughout the context of the plot.

David Duchovny and Minnie Driver pair up for the perfect unlikely romantic couple. The inspirational performance by Driver induces lovable charm and imagination. Duchovny is also engagingly sweet, filling his character with polished humility. Likewise, the background performances are magically funny and heartwarming. The actors paint their characters beautifully.

"Return to Me" is the kind of date movie where the characters and the audience go home happy and warm. Bonnie Hunt is on target with this comedy straight from the heart, leaving viewers with a cuddly feeling of satisfaction.

"Return to Me" is brought to you by MGM Productions.