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Return to Me is, itself, a return to the old-fashioned
romantic films that featured Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn. Bonnie Hunt's directorial debut stars David Duchovny and Minnie Driver, with an excellent supporting cast featuring Carroll O'Conner, Jim Belushi and Ms Hunt herself. If that's not enough, Ms Hunt also co-wrote the story (with Don Lake) and the cast is dotted with her family and friends from Chicago's theater circle.
The story could not be more predictable. The premise is kinda silly: guy falls for the organ donor recipient who got his dead wife's heart. The development is formulaic and features a few awkward moments where jokes fall flat. Sounds like a bit of a clunker so far, doesn't it?
Well, it's not.
Believe it or else.
This film is a remarkable showcase for the value of sincerity in storytelling. The thing that pulls us in is the unvarnished honesty with which the characters are played, and the reality in how they interact. This is the first time I've liked Mumbles Duchovny - not only can you understand every word he says (thank God I was sitting down), his acting is really detailed and honest and his character is relatable. Minnie Driver and Carroll O'Connor are two of my favorites and turn in strong performances here, but the show is nearly stolen by Bonnie Hunt and Jim Belishi. They play a married couple with an indeterminable number of kids and their improv theater background infuses the entire film with chaotic life and humor.
The charm comes from the details, here. The score features old standards and the setting, in Chicago, hearkens back to our grandparents' day, giving us the impression that romance is timeless and universal. The overall effect is a really charming and pleasant ride, even if you can see where we're going the whole time.
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The story could not be more predictable. The premise is kinda silly: guy falls for the organ donor recipient who got his dead wife's heart. The development is formulaic and features a few awkward moments where jokes fall flat. Sounds like a bit of a clunker so far, doesn't it?
Well, it's not.
Believe it or else.
This film is a remarkable showcase for the value of sincerity in storytelling. The thing that pulls us in is the unvarnished honesty with which the characters are played, and the reality in how they interact. This is the first time I've liked Mumbles Duchovny - not only can you understand every word he says (thank God I was sitting down), his acting is really detailed and honest and his character is relatable. Minnie Driver and Carroll O'Connor are two of my favorites and turn in strong performances here, but the show is nearly stolen by Bonnie Hunt and Jim Belishi. They play a married couple with an indeterminable number of kids and their improv theater background infuses the entire film with chaotic life and humor.
The charm comes from the details, here. The score features old standards and the setting, in Chicago, hearkens back to our grandparents' day, giving us the impression that romance is timeless and universal. The overall effect is a really charming and pleasant ride, even if you can see where we're going the whole time.