Product Details

• Actors: Chris Barnes (IX), James Belushi, William Bronder, Dick Cusack, Minnie Driver
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, NTSC
• Language: English, Italian
• Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)
• VHS Release Date: April 10, 2001
• Run Time: 116 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (322 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6306012389
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,502 in Video (See Bestsellers in Video)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

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

Product Description

Who knew that when he ordered the special, he d get the dish of his life? David Duchovny ('the X-Files ) and Minnie Driver (Good Will Hunting) ignite sparks in this warm-hearted winner (JeffCraig, 'sixty Second Preview ) about a widower and a waitress who meet and fall in love. Featuring an incredible all-star cast, this hilarious romantic comedy delivers a lot of laughs, tears and joysthat will make your spirits soar. It took a lot of cajoling to get Bob (Duchovny), a recently widowed architect, to go on a blind date at a quirky Irish-Italian eatery. Once there, he's smitten instantly not with his date but with the sharp-witted waitress, Grace (Driver). With unsolicitedhelp from Grace's matchmaking grandfather (Carroll O Connor), Bob asks her out. And as their relationship blossoms, everything seems to be going great, until an unbelievable truth is revealed one that could easily break both of their hearts for good.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Absoulute Gem From Bonnie Hunt, August 9, 2000

By	Reviewer - See all my reviews (TOP 500 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.

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Movie - Don't Miss Audio Commentary, December 25, 2000

By	edzaf (Chandler, AZ USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Return to Me (DVD)

"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.

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I Never Knew A Heart Transplant Could Mean This Much!, June 16, 2002

By	Sallie A. Martin (OK) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Return to Me (DVD)

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!