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Return to Me (PG, 2000)

common sense media says

An unbelievable premise, but sweet and romantic.

parents & educators say
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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that although the movie is rated PG, there are a few strong words, including some used by children, and some mild sexual references.

Violence: Sad death of character, issue of heart transplants.
Sex: Kissing.
Language: Brief mild language, including children using bad words.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: A lot of social drinking, some smoking.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on Return to Me

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about how people decide how much of themselves to share, about how people cope with loss that seems devastatingly overwhelming, and about Grace's grandfather's comment that "It is the character that's the strongest that God gives the most challenges to." Families can also talk about how couples make decisions about the risks of physical intimacy as well as emotional. And families can also talk about the loving way the people in this movie care for each other and enjoy each other.

What's the story?

What's the story?
In this love story, guy has girl (architect Bob -- David Duchovney -- married to beautiful Elizabeth -- zookeeper Joely Richardson). Then guy loses girl in a car accident, guy meets new girl named Grace (Minnie Driver) who doesn't want to tell him that she had a heart transplant, guy finds out that the heart came from his late wife, and everyone gets over it and gets on with living happily ever after. Grace lives with her grandfather (Carroll O'Connor), owner of an Irish-Italian restaurant that is home to a community so adorable and loving that they could be birds and cherubs perching on the finger of an animated Disney heroine. Her friend Megan (Bonnie Hunt) is living in happy domestic chaos with her husband (James Belushi) and four children. Bob's friend Charlie (David Alan Grier) is there to fix him up with Ms. Wrong, so that he can have a reason to go to Grace's grandfather's restaurant and leave behind the 21st century equivalent of a glass slipper – his cell phone.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
RETURN TO ME is a pleasant date movie, a romance that tries hard to transcend its gimmick and just about succeeds. While it's a very creaky premise, at least this isn't one of those movies that drags out the telling part and then just as she is about to spill the beans he finds out anyway and it takes another half hour to straighten it all out. And at least there is no maudlin "Chicken Soup for the Soul"-type stuff about how this is the gift his late wife brought to him or anything like that.

We know where it is all going from the first five minutes. So we can sit back and enjoy the ride, in the capable hands of director/co-star/co- scriptwriter Bonnie Hunt. Hunt, a terrific character actress lets the couple's friends and family add a lot of life and depth to the story. They give Bob and Grace more personality and interest, sort of character by association. And, this is a rare movie in which the couple does not go to bed together almost immediately, partly because of Grace's sensitivity about her scar, and possibly also because Bob needs to take things slowly, too.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: MGM/UA
Director: Bonnie Hunt
Cast: Bonnie Hunt, David Duchovny, Minnie Driver
Genre: Romance
Run time: 115 minutes
Theatrical release: April 7, 2000
DVD release: October 31, 2000
MPAA Rating: PG
MPAA explanation: language and thematic elements
This review was written by Nell Minow
 
 

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What parents & educators say

13

Most useful reviews by all members

fif
educator
13
 
Feel good movie; very funny
A touching film with lots of humor throughout. Good performances from the cast and it's well written. Sexuality is minimal, a couple scenes with some language (for comedic effect). Probably more for teens and up because of the subject matter. I don't think most younger kids would enjoy the story all that much.
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Rene_523
adult
12
 
If only they had left the bad language and sexual dialogue out...
The story is sweet, but there is alot of explicit sexual dialogue and alot of bad language. As a result, quite a few scenes should be fast forwarded for children, such as as strange scene of Grace naked in the bathtub.
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Rachel D
adult
 
Best romantic comedy ever
Loved it! What a cute, enjoyable, clean movie full of laughs and romance. Great performances by top-notch actors! A must see.
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ebarr727
adult
 
Cried/Laugh
A tender love story about two women who are linked by their heart and the man who loves them. Interesting story and good performances by David D. and Minnie Driver.
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Keith
adult
 
simple minded atheist will like it
Halfway into the movie, the Lord's name was used in vain for the 2nd time. It was used by a small child so I stopped the movie. Has hollywood lost their minds?
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movie madness
teen, 17 years old
10
 
this movie is a hartworming storie that tells of the hardships of life,love, and all the good that comes form them!
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js91206
adult
 
Better for Older kids
I think this movie is better suited for older kids 13+ mostly due to sexual references. A mention of not being a virgin before marriage by a character; a warning about not shaving you legs so you don't go to far on a FIRST date; and a comment about the girl not spending the night even though they had been dating a year - as if that were wrong. All fine for adults, but not great examples for the younger audiences. Lot's of swearing by kids/adults may also put some off. A very sad beginning may be upsetting to a sensitive kid (when the wife is killed in a accident). I was surprised bu the ON for 10+ rating.
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CommonSense101
kid, 12 years old
11
 
Return To Me 101
Return To Me is a funny romance movie great for kids 11+. There is a scene in which a woman is show in the bath tub and there are a few other scenes where a man says a curse word and his child repeats it. It is hilarious, but may go over younger kids heads. ( if you fast-forward these scenes, 8+ ) One of my favorite family movies!
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quest13
adult
 
A great film
Sensuality: Comments a breif comment about having a sex dream but she syas no you misunderstood me and some other hard to cathc mild references. Violence: A violent scene with alot of blood after a car accident and some news abuta hear trans-plant. Language: requent especialy when you here the father say it then the kds repeat it. Overall: Great movie with feelings and will make you happy.
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