Return to Me Review by Tim Wick
I try, whenever possible, to avoid use of words like "heartwarming",
"charming", "touching" and so on in my reviews. Not to imply that I am not
a SNAG (sensitive new age guy for you Christine Lavin fans out there), but I
really hate those words in a review. They seem so......stupid. Why in the
world can't the reviewer come up with another word. I always get the
feeling they were actually bored by the film, but because they knew the film
wasn't THAT bad, they found a few boring superlatives to heap upon it.
So it is with a great deal of embarrassment that I admit that the words I
quoted above (please don't make me say them again) fit Return to Me quite
well. I have a hard time admitting that a little romantic comedy (more
romance than comedy) like this is probably my favorite movie of the year so
far - mostly because this is at it's heart a pretty formulaic film. The
thing is that it does a great job with the formula.
I have long been a proponent of the fact that a strong script is probably
the central most important element to a successful film. Many a good script
has been butchered by a bad director, but a good director can never
transcend an awful script. Don't believe me? Watch Mission to Mars. I
appreciate a script that does not assume I am stupid, that doesn't feel the
need to connect all the dots for me. The Matrix and The Sixth Sense are
great examples of films that a scripted in a way I personally find
appealing. I don't know how many conversations I've had about both films
where someone tells me that a certain element of the story was never
explained. In every case, I can counter with a line that does explain it,
but not in the way most people expect. These films expected you to think
and to remember some earlier moments in the story. Return to Me does this
as well.
As I get into the meat of my review, I'm going to let loose with a few
spoilers. The don't really spoil the film, but if you want to go into the
theatre uninformed, you may want to skip the next few paragraphs.
The film revolves around Bob (played by David Duchovny) and Grace (played by
Minnie Driver). When the
film begins, we see Bob with his wife Elizabeth and Grace in the hospital,
waiting for a new heart. The film takes the time to show us Bob and
Elizabeth's relationship before she is killed in a car accident (that was
thankfully not shown). Then Laura's family learns that a donor has been
found. It doesn't take a super-sleuth to figure out whose heart just saved
Laura's life. Fortunately the movie assumes we can connect those dots, so
it doesn't linger.
Flash forward a year. A coincidence bring Bob into the restaurant Laura's
grandfather owns. She is the waitress at his table and the sparks fly
almost immediately.
But both characters have baggage. Bob is still dealing with his wife's
death and Grace is self conscious about the eleven inch scar on her chest.
As their relationship develops, these problems keep them from realizing the
core problem that will ultimately determine if they can really be together
or not.
Well, it's a romantic comedy, what do you think? I suppose some might think
that was a major spoiler, but why do you go to this type of movie? To see
the two main characters treat each other like crap and end up apart?
What makes any film like this (where you pretty much know how it's going to
end), you need a strong script and a strong supporting cast (I think
Notting Hill would have stunk without the supporting players). You also
need chemistry between the romantic leads. The reason Return to Me is so
successful is because it does all of this.
The supporting cast is terrific. Bonnie Hunt (who also directed and
co-wrote the film) plays Laura's cousin and best friend. She is married to
Jim Belushi, and the two of them have a very real way of playing off one
another. Their relationship is obviously a loving one, but that is not all
you see. You see them arguing and swearing (at one point Hunt's character
says "I did not teach our children the word 'hell' you son of a bitch!"
right in front of the children) at each other in a way that makes them seem
like a real couple rather than how Hollywood thinks "real" couples act.
Carol O'Conner is a lot of fun a Laura's grandfather and David Alan Grier is
Rob's best friend - a womanizing veterinarian. I could really spend a lot
of time on the supporting players (Ray Loggia is O'Conner's brother in law
and they have a ton of funny exchanges), but the fact is that they all work.
None of them are one dimensional, but none of them serve to distract from
the central story either.
Even with that, the movie would die if you didn't believe that Bob and Grace
weren't falling in love. Driver and Duchovny are probably the best match in
this department since Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal in When Harry Met Sally.
The fact that both characters are terrified of the relationship for
different reasons, but also helpless in the face of (I shudder to say it)
fate comes across very well. I have a hunch this role just might help
Duchovny become the movie star he wants to be (the scene after his wife dies
is so rip your heart out real I almost cry just thinking about it - you will
know the one I mean). Driver is already a star, but this film reminds you
why. It was just refreshing to see an actress who isn't Meg Ryan or Julia
Roberts pull of a good romantic role.
I really am certain this movie isn't for everyone. Many out there will find
it sappy or just stupid. Lisa Schwartzbottom from Entertainment Weekly
pretty much hated it (link to their review here if you want to know why
) but the fact
is I think I agree with her about 5% of the time. I have a feeling if you
are too much of a critic, you won't see this movie for what it really is - a
charming (god, I used that word again) little film that isn't trying to be
anything more than an enjoyable romance. For me, that was enough.
|
