Return to Me (2000)

 
RETURN TO ME, the weekend's third suck-fest, is a crassly manipula-
tive romantic comedy that pairs David Duchovny and Minnie Driver, 
though not for the first forty-five minutes.  *That* time is spent 
introducing Duchovny's character's wife, played by the lovely Joely 
Richardson, then killing her off, and then showing her hubby griev-
ing.  (Complete with dog that keeps staring at the door.  Sniff.) 
While that unpleasantness unfold, tabs are kept on Driver's bedrid-
den, heart transplant-needing character (guess whose organ *she* 
gets?), her wisecracking best friend (Bonnie Hunt, who directed), 
and her leprechaun-sounding, pub-owning Irish grandfather (Carroll 
O'Connor).  Schmaltz, more schmaltz, and, finally, some genuine 
laughs at the aforementioned forty five-minute mark.  ("This is 
Bob.  His wife is dead.")  Plus, on the plus side, the chemistry 
between Duchnovy and Driver is very good.  And then the smothering 
starts back up, just in time for the oh-so-sappy ending.  Dreadful.  
With Robert Loggia, David Alan Grier, and a profanely-funny James 
Belushi as Hunt's character's constantly-cursing hubby.  
 
Grade: D+

Copyright 2000 Michael J. Legeros
Movie Hell is a trademark of Michael J. Legeros

Originally posted to triangle.movies as MOVIE HELL: April 9, 2000