docm-32304 Wow...so surprised by this film. Firstly, I am not a David Duchovney fan, so I approached the film with some reservations. It was a quiet Sunday afternoon though, so what the heck. This picture grabbed me right away. It has everything. I would put it in the category of Romance, as opposed to a romantic comedy because Romance is the central theme and is what drives this film. The comedy...and there is plenty of it is secondary, to add to the films appeal, but it doesn't have that forced or intentional feel to it as it is very much the humor that comes out of everyday life.The whole cast is phenomenal. The restaurant clique was both hilarious and heartwarming. The addition of Jim Belushi with his average Joe manner also gave the film a credible touch. Throw together 2 people who are inexperienced with dating and the rest is again, the things that everyday humor is made of.I can't say enough about this film other than, watch it! It has something for everyone...drama, comedy, romance, pathos and joy. Entertainment at its finest!

zacharykieler This is a 50's-60's style romantic movie have the tissue box handy, however this is one of the most romantic movies ever made. Minnie and Davidmake a great duo and you fall in love with the characters. This will tug at your heart strings at the same time make you laugh out loud. I saw this in the theater. To this day its a movie no matter how many times you watch it you won't get sick of it.

bk21055 I'll start by confessing that I generally regard romantic comedy as one of the most dishonest, cynical genres in Hollywood filmmaking, because so many of them follow the same precalculated formula: set up some cockeyed premise and then employ a series of outlandish plot devices to manipulate the audience's emotions in precisely calibrated ways from first frame to last. I approached this one with especially low expectations because of the brazenly contrived gimmick at its core (a grieving young widower unwittingly falls in love with the recipient of his beloved wife's transplanted heart) and its male lead, David Duchovny. I enjoyed Duchovny's tongue-in-cheek performance in the X-Files despite the fact that I never thought he could act a lick. The idea of him as romantic lead in a situation like this had me dreading an afternoon wasted.Well, I couldn't have been more wrong. This is a terrific movie that deftly avoids over-exploiting its basic plot device, instead telling its story in honest, affectionately rendered details and relying on the team play of a marvelously unselfish cast, each of whom is given a turn to shine (even the bit players). Each actor takes full advantage of their opportunities without attempting to upstage the others. One of the things I enjoyed most was how comfortable and familiar the cast are with one another; the whole movie works because of it. The result is characters and a story line that draw you in and make you feel like you know the people involved - and better yet, that they really know and care for one another in the casually intimate way that only the closest-knit friends and families can. This is wonderful ensemble acting led by a director with a light but capable touch. Even Duchovny manages to hold his own among much better actors, delivering some surprisingly earnest scenes and painting his character with appealing honesty and humility.This isn't a perfect movie. It has a slightly TVish feel and there are predictable moments and flat notes here and there, but an ample supply of small delights make up for it ("What was God thinking?"). The strength of this movie is in its performances, and in the decision of the writers and director Bonnie Hunt to establish the initial premise, then let go of it and concentrate on fleshing out well-drawn relationships between engaging characters we can identify with and care about.If you liked "50 First Dates" with Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler, you'll love this. Much broader in its appeal than your standard romcom chick flick, this is a warm, satisfying story about the lifesaving power of love and family.

wes-connors 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