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 ...

---

Plot Keywords:

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

---

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.

---

Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

---

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

Bonnie Hunt's brother is a physician at Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago. He arranged for the hospital to be used as a setting in the film.

---

Goofs

A year after the heart transplant, when Grace goes to the doctor for her check-up, the nurse forgets to pump up the blood pressure cuff. Then, to add to the mistake, even if she HAD pumped it up, when she's taking it off, she doesn't let the air out.

---

Quotes

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

---

Connections

References Citizen Kane (1941)

---

Soundtracks

Here I Am
Written by Charlie Midnight (as Charley Midnight), Marc Swersky and Joseph Gian (as Joey Gian)
Produced by Nicholas Pike, Bonnie Hunt and Joseph Gian (as Joey Gian)

User Reviews

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.