Rating: 
Summary: An uncynical movie for cynical times
Review: I make no secret of the fact that I am a David Duchovny fan, but I came to this movie a bit apprehensively; I was afraid that it would drown in sap, and indeed some of the reviews I read led me to believe that that was the case. So I waited until it was out on video before I saw it. I think it actually works better on the small screen than it would on the big screen; the small screen adds to the sense of intimacy that runs throughout the story. Duchovny first seems a bit awkward, but quickly loosens up and delivers a fine performance, one quite different from the grimly intense Mulder on "The X-Files." The movie just about force-feeds us the idea that the romance between his character and Minnie Driver's is meant to be, but they make up for it with their natural, unforced chemistry. Duchovny is one of the few actors who could deliver a line like "I ache for Grace" without looking and sounding like a fool. What woman wouldn't melt like butter in a warm skillet over this guy? Bonnie Hunt and James Belushi are the scene stealers, but they don't steal the whole movie--the gentle romance between Duchovny and Driver still manages to be the center. The sap quotient is indeed high, but if you can let go of your cynicism for a couple of hours, you will enjoy this movie.
Rating: 
Summary: Sweet but insubstantial
Review: Usually I'm a sap for romantic comedies and I give them a lot of latitude. It is hard to come up with much that is fresh in a genre that has been so thoroughly plowed. However, this charming and schmaltzy film was too corny even for me. Romantic films are normally pretty predictable, but this was ridiculous. Writer/director Bonnie Hunt gives these characters the depth of a rain puddle. The plot was so scant that she had to employ excessive filler with farcical skits involving Jim Belushi, and the seniors led by Carroll O'Connor and Robert Loggia. The fact that the filler was the most entertaining part of the film speaks volumes about the weakness of the main storyline. Bonnie Hunt's directorial debut was a mixed bag. She captured some endearing moments and her choice for Chicago locations was wonderful. However, the film's pacing was poor, with numerous dull scenes and a bumpy flow. The character development of Bob (David Duchovny) and Grace (Minnie Driver) was good, and the romance was enchanting, but there really wasn't that much of an impediment to the relationship. A truly great romance requires an insurmountable obstacle or irreconcilable differences to be overcome to test the awesome power of love. The heart transplant device, while novel, really wasn't much of a reason for them to break up. Hunt also should have made greater use of the device examining its implications more explicitly with Duchovny's character. She was content to dance around the fact that the two loves of his life had the same heart, a wonderful metaphor that she left in the background rather than developing it. The acting was excellent. David Duchovny proved to be quite affable in this retreat from the heavy-handed X-Files roles. This may be the most he has been allowed to smile in any project he has ever taken. It was enjoyable to see another side of him. Minnie Driver gave a marvelous performance, probably her best to date. She was very human; she was insecure about her surgery, but warm and full of hope. Carroll O'Connor was priceless as Grace's grandfather. He and Robert Loggia delivered some of the funniest moments in the film. James Belushi was also hilarious as the overwrought dad and middle class stud muffin. Though it proved to be a crowd pleaser, this film was a sweet but lightweight addition to an overcrowded genre. I rated it a 6/10. It's a good date movie but not much more.
Rating:
Summary: I was suprised
Review: As you have probably deduced I'm not a fan of this genere. But this film suprised me. It was sweet, but it never wandered into being syrupy. It's humor was just a little off and it had a real ring of truth in what it said and what it didn't say about humans and their relations (romantic and nonromantic) with one another. I liked it. As a husband and father of two I especially liked the married couple and their domestic life - on the mark and not too idealized. Cynics can scoff, but this is a nice little movie. Yes thats right - nice. Watch it.
Rating:
Summary: This is a sweet movie
Review: This is a review of the movie based only on the viewed VHS tape as rented. Though the initial subject matter in this movie is the near death of the lead character, and the death of the other lead character's spouse, I spent most of my time laughing. This was an enjoyable movie that all of the family can see (it is amazing when you can do that). There are several comic scenes that really hit home from the pandemonium at director Bonnie Hunt's character's home as well as the many scenes at the restaurant with Minnie Driver's character's extended family. The above editorial review tells the story. In Chicago, this man's wife dies in a car accident and this young woman receives her heart. Through a number of circumstances, they meet and fall in love. Needless to say, the heart transplant provides a bit of a complication. They have more in common than the editorial above indicates. Neither are the hard core daters that the single scene in your 30s, dictates. Both are amateurs in this regard and like fish out of water. Some scenes in how they are dealing with that provide a couple good chuckles. When they meet they have a spark of recognition. Presumably the heart is responsible. All of this is magnificently underplayed. Their subsequent dating is fun to watch. Both Minnie Driver and David Duchovny do a wonderful job of showing their relationship develop. Carol O'Connor as Minnie's grandfather, along with his cohorts did a great job as her extended family trying so hard to find her a match. What I also liked was the character development on the other characters, from Minnie Driver's characters best friend and her husband to the close family friend Charlie of David Duchovny's character. Not knowing how other transplant survivors handle telling new acquaintances of their massive surgery, I was surprized her character kept it so under wraps. However, the movie does an excellent job of explaining this. She's spent most of her life being treated as fragile, which she was. It was time to move on. Minnie Driver's character's best friend played by the director Bonnie Hunt and her character's husband Jim Belushi are and excellent match. They show the messiness of family life with the warm undertones. Jim Belushi does a wonderful job here as the dedicated and sometimes overwhelmed husband. I gave this a 4 versus a 5 because the story line is a bit light, while all the performances are magnificent.
Rating: 
Summary: The Best Romance I've seen in a long time
Review: If you are looking for a simple story of love, you'll find it in Return to Me. The story is pure fiction but that is it's appeal; A widower falls in love effortesly with a waitress he feels he has known his whole life and in a way it is true. His new love was the recepient of his dead wife's heart. David Duchovny and Minnie Driver keep the over dramatics at a minimum, allowing a noticable and touching chemistry to develop. I have not seen a classic romance in quite some time, and this reinstilled my faith that Hollywood sentimentality has not been lost.
Rating:
Summary: Such a sweet movie
Review: This is such a sweet and joyful movie. I LOVED it from start to finish. It wasn't too sappy and had just the right amount of comedy and dramatic moments. There's not much I can add to other's comments - it was a terrific movie, one I will watch again and again (so, of course, I will be forced to buy it!) :)
Rating: 
Summary: Terrible commentary!
Review: The movie itself is fine. A light romantic comedy with the always appealing Minnie Driver. But as DVD audio commentaries go, this is one of the worst commentaries I have listened to. For the first 15 minutes, the director and co-writer hardly say anything. And when they do speak, it's usually to make some sort of stupid joke ("That crowd is computer generated!"). After awhile they warm up and start to actually provide interesting info about the making of the movie, but it's too little, too late. Don't buy this DVD if you are looking forward to great Bonnie Hunt commentary.
Rating:
Summary: A nice surprise
Review: I saw this movie with my sisters who had given it an enormous build-up. I was pleased to note that it was as incredible as they had reported. Sweet and romantic to a fault with no unnecessary junk i.e. sex or violence! We watched it and then put it on again because it was just such a feel good movie. You will love it if you care about true love and wholesome entertainment.
Rating:
Summary: I Will Return To This Movie Again & Again!
Review: This movie will touch your heart and tickle your funny bone. The cast is the best thing going for this movie. Minnie Driver is beyond words! David Duchovny shows off his talent!(O.K. He surprised me!)Bonnie Hunt has made a movie that is as tender and heartwarming as "Sleepless In Seattle" or "While You Were Sleeping". The movie shows that a great script and great actors make for a great movie. Please more, Bonnie! Thanks!!!
Rating:
Summary: Touching
Review: A very touching movie that tells me that love is definitely out there even for those who have lost a significant other. Its interesting how Bob and Grace's relationship evolved. I guess when you find true love, things just have a way of working out. A little slow at the beginning, but heart warming in the end.
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