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Return To Me




- for language and thematic elements.
Director: Bonnie Hunt
Starring: Minnie Driver, David Duchovny, James Belushi
Running Time: 1 hour, 55 minutes

 
ReturnToMe

Plot Summary


When Bob Rueland (David Duchovny) loses his wife in a car accident, his whole world is turned upside down. But when a local girl named Grace (Minnie Driver) is in need of a heart transplant, his wife's death is just in time. A year passes and Bob still is grieving the loss of his wife, and Grace's friends are trying to find her a mate. After both experiencing bad dates, Grace and Bob meet by chance, and a romance blossoms. As their relationship advances, Grace and Bob have encounter some difficulties that they must overcome.


Film Review

Return to Me is the first definite "yes" of the new millenium. In the words of Larry the Cucumber, "I laughed, I cried, it moved me, Bob." Most comedies these days are either not comedies at all, or laced with so much trash, you feel like you need a shower after watching the movie. But Return to Me, with all its flaws, is a successful creation of cinematography and entertainment.

The acting is quality and the characters are very likable. You really feel for Bob and Grace and what they go through. The characters are well-developed and realistic. The story isn't completely plausible but I don't think that's necessary. I believe movies should have some lee-way to venture into the realm of fantasy to a certain extent. The moods of the film vary as well. It starts out like a normal film then really tugs strongly on the heart strings when Bob loses his wife and slowly enters the genre of a light-hearted comedy.

Content varies. It tends to have a little too much stuff in it at times to be PG, but not enough
to be PG-13. The language is so-so. Could have been toned down. The worst is 4 "s" words and 3 "S.O.B.s" and a slew of different forms of blasphemy (not harshly meant as such like it seemed in Twister). Joe (James Belushi) cusses many times and one of his kids repeats what he says (done for comedic effect). Sexual content was pleasingly kept to a minimum. It was reduced to the occasional reference but nothing dwelled on. And the physicalness was limited to Bob kissing down Grace's neck, but they get interrupted before anything else happens.

One thing the film refreshingly included was something most movies neglect-- and that's the presence of God. Grace's grandfather is Catholic and they show him praying in a church in one scene, and he often mentions God positively throughout the course of the film (although occasionally uses the Lord's name as an exclamation at times).

In summary, the movie was very good. I really enjoyed it from beginning to end. It's not for everyone, however. The adult-related material may make you want to keep your child from seeing it, but as a whole, it's a positive film with some good values. If it was a little cleaner, I'd give it a higher rating, but I still have to give Return to Me a 4 and a half out of 5.

- John DiBiase, (reviewed: 4/15/00)

 

Parental Guide: Content Summary


. Sex/Nudity: There is some minor innuendo and references to sexual material, but nothing alarmingly bad. We see some of Grace's cleavage as she looks at the scar on her chest in front of the mirror
. Vulgarity/Language: 4 "s" words, 6 "h*ll," 4 "a" words, 3 "S.O.B.s," 1 "d*mn," 6 "Oh my G-d," 4 "G-d," 3 "g*dd*mn," 1 "J-sus, Mary, and Joseph," 1 "Oh Chr-st," 2 "Swear to G-d," 2 "G-d," 1 "For Chr-st's sake," 1 "For G-d's sake," 1 "G-d forsaken"
. Alcohol/Drugs: Many characters have beer or wine at different parts of the film.
. Blood/Gore: Following a severe car accident we never see, Bob has some blood on him as well as Elizabeth who is being transported on a gurney. Later we see him still in the blood-spotted shirt. The bag containing a heart for a transplant has some blood on it.
. Violence: There is a car accident we don't see but hear about (and results in someone's death). Grace accidentally smacks Bob.

 

Disclaimer: All reviews are based solely on the opinions of the reviewer. Most reviews are rated on how the reviewer enjoyed the film overall, not exclusively on content. However, if the content really affects the reviewer's opinion and experience of the film, it will definitely affect the reviewer's overall rating.

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This Friday, November 14, 2025
ALBUMS
Bethel Music We Must Respond (Deluxe) [Bethel]
Emery White Line Fever (Remastered) - Disc One (independent)
FYR FYTR Snow After Fire - EP (independent)
HolyName Three Bar Cross - EP (independent)
Jake and Mates Songs of Deliverance (independent)
JERICKO Ups and Downs - EP [Syntax]
Kings Kaleidoscope Asaph's Arrows II EP [BEC]
VIC LUCAS The Journey (Deluxe Version) [Syntax]
Ronnie Martin Evergreen Melodie [Velvet Blue]
NF FEAR - EP [Capitol]
Blessing Offor To All A Good Night [Capitol CMG]
Rave Jesus I MET GOD ON THE DANCEFLOOR [Provident]
Kristian Stanfill Come to Jesus [sixstepsrecords]
We Are Messengers Rejoice! (A Celtic Christmas) [Curb]
The Young Escape Not Done Yet [BEC]

SINGLES
ADRIEL CRUZ & JAMIL Praying For My Enemies - Single [Syntax]
BILL B. My Lord - Single [Syntax]
Biscuits Drifting Off (Hayloft) - Single [Circle Back]
Holly Brand Tennessee Christmas (feat. Warren Peay) - Single [Integrity]
Leanna Crawford Still Waters (Strings & Choir Version) - Single [Provident]
Melvin Crispell III, Jason Clayborn Whatever It Is - Single [Tyscot]
CUTRIGHT, ZIPPY, & QEW Pick it Up - Single [Syntax]
DRENAE Like U Do - Single [Syntax]
Eighteen Mile What Mercy Means - Single [Mountain Home Music]
His Kingdom Suffers There's No Light In This House - Single [Charon Collective]
KNALADEUS, SELAH THE CORNER, & AYO SHAMIR Let it Be (ft. JOSEPH SD) - Single [Syntax]
LEXLY NIRVANA Perdoname - Single [Syntax]
Richard Lynch Why Me Lord - Single [MTS]
Jamie MacDonald My Family - Single [Capitol CMG]
NEEDTOBREATHE Where You Call Home - Single [Omnivore]
Hunter Plake Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - Single [BEC]
Skillet O Come, O Come Emmanuel - Single [Hear It Loud]

Next Sunday, November 16, 2025
ALBUMS
Bir Witness 26.13 (independent)

Next Thursday, November 20, 2025
SINGLES
The Rocky Valentines Happy Thanksgiving - Double Single [Velvet Blue]

Next Friday, November 21, 2025
ALBUMS
Drew Holcomb & the Neighbors, Ellie Holcomb I'll Be Home for Christmas - EP [Magnolia]
Joseph Habedank The Great Adventure: A Tribute to Steven Curtis Chapman [Daywind]
Andrew Marcus Christmas - EP (independent)
Stryper The Greatest Gift Of All [Frontiers]

SINGLES
Cliff & Antoinette Murray Happy Thanksgiving - Single [DREAM]
Good Weather Forecast Little Christmas - Single [DREAM]
Jake MacAdam, Mark & Sarah Tillman Christ Has Come - Single [Ocean House]
Life.Church Worship A Thousand Blessings - Single [Ocean House]
Seph Schlueter Cling To The Cross (feat. Matt Maher) - Single [sixsteps]

VINYL
Stryper The Greatest Gift Of All Vinyl [Girder]


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