Very Cool!!!

I am only giving this movie a 1 for the great cast, though I can't imagine what any of them were thinking. This movie was horrible

After playing with our expectations, this turns out to be a very different sort of film.

There are moments that feel comical, some horrific, and some downright inspiring but the tonal shifts hardly matter as the end results come to a film that's perfect for this time.

Family members have been trying to get me to watch this movie for a while. I was reluctant because, by the way they described it, I was sure it would be just another chick flick filled with OH COME ON! moments.I finally relented and watched it. And I was partly right. There were moments when I was screaming OH COME ON! at the screen. It was almost enough to make me quit watching it. Almost.There was no believable reason for Grace's reluctance to mail the letter. It was anonymous. It was a thank you note, written in the sincerest possible words. It is conceivable that it might have been hard to write, difficult to find the right wording. But once it was written any normal minded person would have dropped it in the mail box. Now some will argue that there were some womanly, inexplicable, incomprehensible emotions tying her up inside. And that's just my point. Chick Flick. OH COME ON!The whole business of her reluctance to tell Bob about her heart surgery made no sense to me. Again, maybe it makes some sense in some womanly manner that no man can ever comprehend. Again - chick flick. But the worst part of all was Bob running away. WAD! This was the worst part of the movie. The whole time we're lead to believe that he's Mr. Wonderful, Mr. Perfect, Mr. Knight in Shining Armor. And at the first moment of any realism he runs away with the old cliché' "I gotta go"? Give me one big f***ing break!All of that was just contrived conflict pieces, totally implausible plot devices that exist for no purpose but to increase conflict in the story and to drag out the running time. I hate those. I knew they'd be there and I was right. It doesn't matter if it's a man directing or a woman, whether the writer was male or female, it's just pure lazy film making in my opinion. I get that conflict in a story is necessary. But to create conflict purely for its own sake is like being married to someone who starts fights just because she gets bored.And I f***ing hated the way that Joe and Megan yelled at each other, yelled at the kids, cussed in front of the kids, and treated each other. There was some attempt to show that they really loved each other. But sh*t, who could handle being yelled at like that all the time. Megan is standing in the kitchen doing nothing but yells at Joe to change a diaper. He's sitting there holding the boy. But because he's drinking a beer he's made to look like a dead beat dad who never helps out around the house. That part drove me nuts.The woman who played Sofie was really bad. I mean, like community theater bad.Carroll O'Conner's Irish accent was about the worst I've ever heard.Some of the editing was iffy. The scene when Bob breaks down crying on the floor, I felt, was cut away too quickly to the scene of grace in the garden. I felt it needed just a moment longer. At times the music was perfect and at others it was distracting. The opening song was perfect and it would have been nice to close with that too. I'm sure budget constraints played some part in that.However, all in all it was great story. It did have me in tears on more than one occasion. Duchovny and Driver have unmistakable chemistry and their respective talents make you wonder why we don't see more of them. The photography was great. The chemistry between the four old guys was also great. The priest was an unnecessary addition that made no sense to me and added nothing to the story. It was never mentioned why he was no longer a priest. It was just dropped...until he pops up obnoxiously again at the end.The Don Lake character (dude with the hair transplant) was also too much. It was necessary to show what Grace is subjected to with people trying to set her up. But it went on way too long.The biggest injustice was Bonnie Hunt, who did a fine job of directing, and the film grossed more than its budget, is relegated to doing TV, like so many other women directors. If she were a man she'd be doing features. Over all, if you like romance, if you like drama, comedy and tears, and if you're OK with chick flicks, then I highly recommend this film.

I'm one of those women who usually skips love stories; to be honest, I haven't found that many I can tolerate. These days they're all so cheesy and sappy and predictable, the acting leaves much to be desired... etc. I first saw this movie when I was an early teen, and I'm now in my 20's, and it's still probably my favorite movie. I don't even know where to begin praising this, but here I go. Bonnie Hunt, who also has a lead, directed this film, and I couldn't think more of her talent after seeing it. Her character is lovable; that family member who keeps everyone calm and in one piece. I LOVED the boisterous, comical Irish family- they make you want to be part of it. The acting by Minnie Driver and David Duchovny, alike were amazing, flawless performances. You can really feel all of Bob's pain, but also sincerity at finding love again when he finally realizes he's up to trying. Minnie's talent shows through as always; her accent was also flawless, didn't catch one English slip throughout the whole film, she's a pro at it by now! I ( and I'm sure many women) will be able to see a little of themselves in Grace. This movie makes you smile, laugh, cry, and if you're in any way religious, it really tugs at your heart, and tells you that sometimes, things aren't just "coincidence". The best facet of this film is it's totally unique plot, how two people find each other in such an amazing, endearing and life altering way. And the best part is, when you watch it over and over, you notice things that are very heart-wrenching but also beautiful.This movie exemplifies the way love should happen, when you know, you know. And some people are just meant to be.

On a rainy night, Chicago architect David Duchovny (as Bob Rueland) loses his beloved wife to a car accident. Meanwhile, bedridden artist Minnie Driver (as Grace Briggs) hovers near death, desperately needing a heart transplant. As you might imagine, Ms. Driver receives the heart belonging to Mr. Duchovny's dying wife. After a period of mourning, veterinarian pal David Alan Grier (as Charlie Johnson) tries to get Mr. Duchovny to date shallow, mouthy women. While on a funny double date (thanks to Holly Wortell), Duchovny meets Driver. The two have an instant, magical attraction...Driver is a waitress at the Italian bar/restaurant run by Irish grandfather Carroll O'Connor (as Marty O'Reilly) and Italian brother-in-law Robert Loggia (as Angelo Pardipillo). With elderly pals Eddie Jones and Wally Jatczak, they discuss how singers Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra differed in beating others; the former took a more "hands on" approach. This was notably the last appearance for Mr. O'Connor, best known for his long-running TV role as lovable bigot "Archie Bunker". Writer/director Bonnie Hunt (as Megan) and loud-mouthed James Belushi (as Joe Dayton) provide additional support.This is what they call a "chick flick", with Ms. Hunt and "The X-Files" star Duchovny offering distaff viewers a dreamy leading man; he's handsome, well-built, romantic, masculine, sensitive, straight and sexy......and his hair is Perfect.***** Return to Me (4/7/00) Bonnie Hunt ~ David Duchovny, Minnie Driver, Carroll O' Connor, Bonnie Hunt

A girl I am friends with recommended this film, and it's definitely in the romantic comedy genre. I thought it was a decent film, Minnie Driver proves to be the most interesting of the bunch. The film doesn't dig too deeply into the characters, it shows them only on a superficial level but for the tone of the film which is light that is appropriate I suppose. It was good to see David Alan Grier in a nice movie. Duchovny is somewhat stiff in his part, and not entirely believable. Minnie Driver does pretty well considering she wasn't given that much to work with.Its light fluff, but its not bad.Belushi sort of overplays his part as the oaf of a father, certain parts were excessively cutesy, overly cute.I give it a fair rating.