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Bounce (PG-13, 2000)

common sense media says

Entertaining story of fate, alcoholism, and love.

parents & educators say
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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that Buddy is an alcoholic who makes an embarrassing acceptance speech when his firm gets an advertising award. He goes into rehab. When he gets out, he almost takes a drink. Abby smokes as a way of getting over an addiction to nicotine gum. A character mentions that he's gay. Characters wake up in bed together after a one-night stand. There's brief strong language.

Positive messages: Not applicable.
Violence: Sad death in plane crash
Sex: Sexual references and situations, including one-night stand
Language: Brief strong language
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Character abuses alcohol, character tries to give up smoking
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More on Bounce

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about how, after someone dies, the survivors may feel angry and guilty. Buddy, Abby, and Abby's son all feel guilty for the death of Abby's husband. How do they show it? How do they resolve it? Both Buddy and Abby lied at their first meeting -- why? And why did Buddy notice the way Abby jumped up to remove the toilet paper from the girl's shoe? What did he learn from that?

What's the story?

What's the story?
In BOUNCE, Ben Affleck plays Buddy Armaral, an advertising executive who is a closer. He is a charming guy who gets the deal done. After landing a huge account for his advertising agency, he encounters travel hell at the airport. He impetuously gives up his boarding pass to a guy who is anxious to get back to his family, not because he is generous, but because he is hoping for a one-night-stand with another stranded traveler. The plane crashes, and Buddy is overcome with survivor guilt. He drinks so much that he lands in rehab. When he gets out, he looks up the widow of the man who flew on his ticket. Abby (Gwyneth Paltrow) is a struggling realtor, and Buddy helps her get a nice commission. He falls for her and they become very close, until she discovers why they met.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
Like Return to Me, Bounce is a love story that is better than its gimmick. In a variation on the "cute meet" of romantic comedies, this movie has a "buried secret that will be revealed at the worst possible time" meeting of its leads, with a final plot twist that is one of the most obvious and creaky screenwriter ploys of the year. But the ability, chemistry, and charm of Ben Affleck and Gwyneth Paltrow manage to keep it afloat.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Miramax
Director: Don Roos
Cast: Ben Affleck, Gwyneth Paltrow, Natasha Henstridge
Genre: Drama
Theatrical release: November 17, 2000
DVD release: April 10, 2004
MPAA Rating: PG-13
MPAA explanation: some language and sexual references
This review was written by Nell Minow
 
 

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Sanjay407
kid, 13 years old
10
 
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