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50 of 51 found the following review helpful:
 An Absoulute Gem From Bonnie Hunt Aug 09, 2000
By Reviewer
Director and co-writer Bonnie Hunt delivers the goods in "Return To Me," a touching story of two deserving people who are afforded a second chance at love and happiness. When we meet Grace (Minnie Driver), she is suffering with heart disease and awaiting a donor for a transplant. Architect-builder Bob Rueland (David Duchovny) is happily married to Elizabeth (Joely Richardson), they are deeply in love, and Hunt quickly establishes just how perfect their lives are together; so perfect, in fact, it becomes somewhat unsettling because you know that tragedy of some kind or other is imminent. When it comes, the transition is handled succinctly and with the skill of a seasoned professional. When Elizabeth dies, Grace receives her heart. A year later, Bob, still mourning the loss of his wife, meets Grace at the Irish-Italian restaurant owned by her grandfather (Carroll O'Connor), where she works as a waitress. Neither are aware of the intimate link they share to the heart that has given Grace her life. In the hands of a less savvy director, the story at this point could easily go astray and become mired in coincidence and cliche. Hunt never comes close to allowing this to happen, however, and instead hits every note squarely on the head so that the plot fairly resonates with precision and timing. A veteran character actress herself (she plays Grace's closest friend, Meg, here), she seems to know instinctively just when to add the right light touch to offset the drama, then fleshes it all out with an array of great characters,especially Robert Loggia, as Angelo, the "Greatest Italian chef in Chicago," and James Belushi as Meg's husband, Joe. There are no wasted moments in this film; the story moves right along and takes you with it. The dialogue is often witty and always real; in a scene between Grace and Meg that takes place in the hospital (prior to their notification that a donor has been located), in which Grace can barely draw a breath, she looks up at Meg and says one word, "Rosebud." After Elizabeth dies, when Bob finds himself alone at home and finally breaks down, Hunt gives the scene time to build and play out, so that it rings true instead of being glossed over and simply used as a tool to move the story along. When it happens we, as an audience, are also afforded that time to realize the suffering he's experiencing, and it allows us to feel it as well. The scene in which Grace, Meg and Joe are at home awaiting a dinner guest (a former priest), is beyond hilarious. Highlighting an exceptional cast, David Duchovny and Minnie Driver are unforgettable as Bob and Grace; and the multi-talented Bonnie Hunt rises to a whole new level of artistic merit for giving us a truly memorable and heart-warming movie that is a joy to experience. Written by Hunt and Don Lake, "Return To Me" is a delight from beginning to end, the kind of film one waits for to come along. Hopefully, in the future Hunt will treat us to even more movies of this caliber.
33 of 34 found the following review helpful:
 Good Movie - Don't Miss Audio Commentary Dec 26, 2000
By edzaf
"Return To Me" is a very likeable romantic comedy starring David Duchovny, breaking away from X-Files mold, and the always engaging Minnie Driver. While we wait for kismet to bring these two characters together, we are treated to a fine (and impressive) supporting cast of characters head by Carroll O'Connor, Robert Loggia, David Alan Grier, James Belushi, and writer-director Bonnie Hunt. There is little suspense that the two main characters will find each other and in the end find new life and love -- but this is the movies after all!For DVD buyers and renters, the true gem is the audio commentary by Bonnie Hunt and co-writer Don Lake. This highly recommended bonus to the DVD version is at least worth another "star." Hunt, who is one of the best interviewees on talk shows, engages in a informative and a very humorous dialogue with Lake throughout the movie. By all means, after watching the movie go back and watch the movie again with Hunt and Lake. Hunt's dry humor will make you laugh out loud at times as she speaks of her bad make-up job in her first scene to the seemingly dozens of family members that she placed throughout the film. You will also get a real appreciation for the art of film-making. "Return To Me" was Hunt's directorial debut and it is fascinating to listen to the care and meticulous detail that she placed into this film (music selections, editing, etc.). It is definitely one of the best audio-commentary tracks that I have heard to date and almost makes you even like the film more.
27 of 28 found the following review helpful:
I Never Knew A Heart Transplant Could Mean This Much! Jun 17, 2002
By Sallie A. Martin
This is perhaps one of the most underrated movies I have ever seen.
David Duchovny and Minnie Driver star as Gracie Briggs and Bob Rueland, two people who are brought together with more than fate, but also a heart. When disaster and devastation hits Bob, he unselfishly donates his wife's organs. Gracie is in desperate need for a heart after suffering for many years with heart disease. Her heart finally does come, at the most needed moment, and it is a special heart at that.
It takes over a year for Bob to get back in the dating scene, and that's only with help from Charlie played by David-Alan Grier. When the date lands them in Gracies grandfather's (Carroll O'Connor) restaurant, Gracie is their waitress, and it's love at first sight, and their lives will be forever changed.
There is also great classic songs that sprinkle this movie with class and romance. Songs like "At Long Last Love" by Frank Sinatra and "Tenderly" by Jackie Gleason finish the movie off without any hitches only adding more detail. Bonnie Hunt and Don Lake take their first stab at writing, directing, and starring in Return To Me, and I must say it is one movie that reminds me the most of the classic romances of long ago.
Please note that if you like this film, Bonnie and Don are writing and directing a tv show on ABC this fall, called Life With Bonnie. Bonnie stars in this along with many of the stars from Return To Me. If her show is anything like the movie, then ABC will have a hit for sure!
24 of 26 found the following review helpful:
Return to Me is a heart-touching movie Jul 20, 2000
This is a delightful movie, the kind of innocent romantic comedy they used to make when Cary Grant was in his heydey and making them. Duchovny plays Bob Rueland, a handsome architect very much in love with his wife. His heart is broken when he loses her in a car accident. He follows her wishes and donates her organs for transplant. The recipient is Minnie Driver's character, spunky Grace Briggs, dying of heart disease far too young. Caroll O'Connor plays her doting grandfather who raised her and Bonnie Hunt, who wrote and directed the film, stars as Grace's best friend. Fate plays a funny trick and Bob and Grace end up meeting. There's an immediate spark between the two -- Duchovny and Driver do a wonderful job with this without going over the top. It isn't until later that Bob and Grace find out that she has his dead wife's heart. The chemistry between Duchovny and Driver is terrific. The supporting cast is also excellent -- a real joy. The end result is a fantastic movie that will actually make you feel good.
10 of 10 found the following review helpful:
Whatta Surprise!! Jul 10, 2003
By Bindy Sue Frønkünschtein
"bigfootsalienbaby"
I went to this movie thinking, ok, KNOWING I'd absolutely hate it! My beloved picked it for our anniverary flick. I figured I was doomed. Instead, I loved it! David Dechovny (The X-Files' Mulder) and Minnie Driver (Good Will Hunting) were great together as Bob and Grace! Cynical as I am, I actually believed they loved each other! You probably know the plot by now, about how Grace (Driver) is in need of a new heart and ends up receiving Duchovny's wife (who dies in an accident)'s heart. Now, this sounds like it could veer off into pitter-pat-land, but Bonnie Hunt (writer / director / co-star) keeps it cool! There's lots of humor and sarcasm. Bonnie Hunt and Jim Belushi are hysterical as Grace's married (with children) friends. Carrol O'Conner and Robert Loggia shine as co-owners of the restaurant where Grace works (O'Conner's character is her grandather). David Alan Grier is excellent as Bob's best friend. Oh yeah, I almost forgot, there's romantic stuff too! It's not overly gooshy, so, even though there were no killer cyborgs, explosions, or gun battles, etc., I found myself really enjoying this movie! Highly recommended...
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