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:

three word title | scar | survey | blood | hospital | 

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Taglines:

A comedy straight from the heart.

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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, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$32,662,299, 17 September 2000

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

There really is a bicycle shop names Rudy's on Irving Park that opened in 1937.

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Goofs

When Elizabeth is being rushed into the hospital, it's said that she's 34 years old. Later in the film during bowling, Bob reveals that he's 38, yet he also says that he and Elizabeth started dating when they were in the same high school class. This is possible since it is over a year later, which would have made Elizabeth 35/36, and not all high school classes are divided by grade. It is also possible that Bob was simply rounding up to "25 years" when stating how long it had been since he'd last gone bowling and/or he was not also 13 while attending the 13th birthday party of the girl he mentioned.

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Quotes

Marty O'Reilly: [spoken to Bob to make him understand how much Bob meant to Grace] I know that what's happened has been overwhelming. And I know it's going to take a while to sort it all out. But while you're sorting, I want you to remember that all the times I prayed that Gracie would have a second chance at life, I always knew that if God blessed us, the heart she got would have to be from a very special person, if it were going to be at home in Grace. When she met you, her heart beat truly for the first time...

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Connections

Referenced in Dinner for Five: Episode #4.5 (2005)

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Soundtracks

What If I Loved You
Written by Joseph Gian (as Joey Gian)
Performed by Joseph Gian (as Joey Gian)
Arranged by Dan Del Negro
Produced by Nicholas Pike, Bonnie Hunt and Joseph Gian (as Joey Gian)

User Reviews

Great Romantic Comedy!

I love this movie! It has everything! Bonnie Hunt did a fantastic job co-writing, directing and co-starring in this film. David Duchovny is just plain hot. and Minnie Driver is as cute as ever. combine all that talent with David Allen Grier, Carol O'Connor, Robert Loggia, Joley Richardson, and Jim Belushi you have a Oscar worthy movie! I'm surprised they didn't get one. if you haven't seen it, go rent the DVD, watch it once then put directors commentary on...Bonnie Hunt is Fabulous!