David Duchovny Movie:

				Salesrank:
		MPAA Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested) Media: DVD

Editorial Review:
Bob Rueland (David Duchovny) and Grace Briggs (Minnie Driver) have very little in common. Granted, they both live in Chicago and they're both a bit lovelorn, but that's about it. Still, fate has something in mind for these two somewhat-depressed souls (a construction worker and budding artist, respectively), who've both recently had brushes with death--he's a recent widower, she's just recovered from a heart transplant--and are a little more serious than their friends and relatives. After a series of misbegotten blind dates and almost-meetings, though, these two finally get together, and find that they fit seamlessly with each other. Despite their differences, they have a lot in common--in fact, quite a lot. It seems that the heart that now beats inside Grace's chest once belonged to Bob's wife (Joely Richardson), who died in a car crash. Coincidence? We think not.

A gentle, pleasing romantic comedy, Return to Me marks the directorial debut of Bonnie Hunt, an acclaimed actress known most famously for her role as Renee Zellweger's sister in Jerry Maguire. A shining, happy bright spot in whatever role she's in, Hunt has also invested the film with her trademark brand of humor: dry but sincere, sarcastic but not caustic, and with a deep current of humanity and romance. In the midst of all the permutations that fate surrounds them with, Driver and Duchovny make a pleasantly low-key couple; the triumph of the film is that despite all the contrived angst, the romance is never overly saccharine. They provide a quiet center in a film that has a fair amount of chaos in it, particularly due to Driver's extended family of Irish and Italian relatives (which occasionally tips the film into cutesy territory) and most hilariously to Driver's best friend, played by director Hunt . As a harried mother with innumerable kids and a likable oaf of a husband (James Belushi), Hunt again steals scenes effortlessly; Belushi is a comic revelation, better than he's been in years. You'll have the pleasant memories of both of these couples--one falling in love, one together for years--with you a long while after seeing this film. --Mark Englehart

Return to Me [Region 2] Reviews:
Return to me
2009-12-22 - My wife & I are big fans of Bonnie Hunt. She produced & directed this movie. We've watched it so many times. Watching it with Bonnie's commentary is very enjoyable. It's just a wholesome, down to earth movie. We highly recommend it.

My favorite romantic comedy of all time
2009-12-14 - I am not much of a fan of romantic movies, but this is such a lovely masterpiece by Bonnie Hunt. I have yet to find another movie that offers so much chemistry between the main characters with a terrific combination of comedy and romance, but without conflict where one of the main characters is not wholly deserving of the other lead character's affection. This movie is such a rare find where both the main characters are so worthy of what lies ahead for them. I have to admit that I am not much of a David Duchovny fan, but in my opinion, he plays the role of Bob meticulously and this is by far his best performance ever. Throughout this movie, you feel his pain and his joy. I dare you to watch this movie and not be moved by the scene where he breaks down in front of his door with the dog. I don't think this movie could have accomplished what it does without Minnie Driver and David Duchovny playing the lead roles.

Another great thing about this movie is that the side characters are as much a part of this movie as the main characters are. Grace's family in this movie really creates the comedy relief and every time I watch this I am left wishing for relationships in my own life as fulfilling as you can sense Grace and her family have.

I long for more movies like this with such a heartfelt story line, and with simple conflict that is not about somebody intentionally marring the emotional well being of their counterpart.

Great movie!
2009-12-01 - Caught this movie totally by accident over the weekend on one of the cable networks, as soon as it was over I ordered it on Amazon.
The cast is amazing, the acting is wonderful, the story line keeps you hooked, no real 'dead' spots.
Guys, while this is technically a 'chic flick', it's definately one to watch.


A gem of a movie.
2009-11-30 - What can I say ... great acting, great story, great ending. Watch this movie - now!

Love this movie!
2009-11-18 - My husband and I had seen the movie "Return To Me" and liked it. He made the comment that it would be a good movie to have. I ordered it from Amazon and was very satisfied with their service. If you watch the movie have some tissues ready.