Return to Me is somewhat of an underrated and overlooked romantic-drama-comedy and in spite of the surprising casting of David Duchovny in the typical male lead role, the movie really works from beginning to end the he and Driver actually have good chemistry with one another. The supporting cast is also impressive from James Belushi to veterans like Robert Loggia and Carroll O’Connor.
Return to Me
(2000)
REVIEW NAVIGATION
The Movie | Special Features | Video Quality | Audio Quality | Overall
Genre(s): Drama, Comedy, Romance
Olive Films | PG – 115 min. – $29.95 | January 27, 2015
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MOVIE INFO: Directed by: Bonnie Hunt Writer(s): Bonnie Hunt & Don Lake and Andrew Stern & Samantha Goodman (story), Bonnie Hunt & Don Lake (screenplay) Cast: David Duchovny, Minnie Driver, Carroll O’Connor, Robert Loggia, David Alan Grier, Bonnie Hunt, Joely Richardson, James Belushi DISC INFO: Audio: English (DTS-HD MA 5.1) |
** Click Here to Purchase Return to Me on Blu-ray from Amazon.com **
THE MOVIE – 4.0/5
Plot Synopsis: The life of Chicago architect Bob Rueland (DAVID DUCHOVNY) is turned upside down when his wife, Elizabeth (JOELY RICHARDSON), is suddenly killed in a car accident. Her heart is transplanted into Grace Briggs (MINNIE DRIVER) who has suffered from heart disease since childhood and is near death. While Grace is able to move on in her new life and fulfill her dreams of traveling to Italy, Bob remains deeply depressed in his grief. That is until a chance meeting with Grace, who is a waitress at a restaurant he’s dining at on a blind date. Bob and Grace begin a date without each other knowing their very intense connection.
Quick Hit Review: Return to Me is a sweet and very well acted romantic drama/comedy. It is, like most in the genre, not exactly filled with surprises but excels thanks to the two leads in David Duchovny, who is surprisingly charming as a leading man, and Minnie Driver, both of whom share great chemistry with one another. When I watched this for what was probably the fifth time, the first in many years, this seemed like the anti-Nicholas Sparks’ adaptation where we get the dramatic scene out of the way early on than springing it on the audience at the end as is done in many of Sparks’ films.
This is a tender flick that flies by not only because each element – romance, drama, comedy – work so well in conjunction with one another, and not just the chemistry between the two leads but it also sports a wonderful supporting cast from Carroll O’Connor, Robert Loggia, John Belushi and Bonnie Hunt.
If you have yet to see this gem of a romance-drama-comedy, it’s well worth checking out.
SPECIAL FEATURES – 1.75/5
All the features from the DVD release have been ported over:
Audio Commentary with Co-Writer/Director/Actress Bonnie Hunt and Co-Writer Don Lake
Music Video (2:25; SD) for “What If I Loved You” by Joey Gian
Deleted Scene (3:38; SD) featuring Carroll O’Connor, Robert Loggia, et al
Theatrical Trailer (2:25; SD)
VIDEO – 4.25/5
Olive Films releases Return to Me on Blu-ray presented in the film’s original 1.85 widescreen aspect ratio and a 1080p high-definition (MPEG-4 AVC codec) transfer. Surprisingly, this appears to be a well done transfer with good colors throughout and detail levels are decent and not overly sharp. There were a couple instances of dust marks but nothing overbearing making for a nice transfer that fans will enjoy.
AUDIO – 4.5/5
The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track isn’t overly dynamic but it needn’t be considering the bulk of the movie is dialogue driven with the occasional song or score chiming in at the right moments (such as the song “Return to Me” during one dramatic moment). It has nice depth, though and is certainly a fine upgrade over the original DVD release.
OVERALL – 3.75/5
Overall, Return to Me is somewhat of an underrated and overlooked romantic-drama-comedy and in spite of the surprising casting of David Duchovny in the typical male lead role, the movie really works from beginning to end the he and Driver actually have good chemistry with one another. The supporting cast is also impressive from James Belushi to veterans like Robert Loggia and Carroll O’Connor.
Published: 02/24/2015
Check out some more screen caps by going to page 2. Please note, these do contain spoilers.