Father and child sit together smiling while looking at a smart phone.

Want more recommendations for your family?

Sign up for our weekly newsletter for entertainment inspiration

Parents' Guide to

Return to Me

By Nell Minow, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 10+

An unbelievable premise, but sweet and romantic.

Movie PG 2000 115 minutes
Return to Me Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

See all
age 13+

Based on 2 parent reviews

Lyn A.
Lyn A. Parent of 12 and 14-year-old
April 16, 2018
age 13+

Really Wonderful

If it weren’t for some sexual references, mild for adults but a bit suggestive for kids, this would be a great family film. Regardless, this movies is wonderful. There is so much humour, mostly as a result of the compilation of amazing classic actors that play the protagonist Grace’s grandfather and his friends. It is sweet, fun, entertaining and romantic. This is actually one of my favorite romcom’s. It’s a little unbelievable but that’s part of the fun.
fif
fif Parent of baby-year-old
April 10, 2009
age 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.
See all 2 parent reviews

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?

Our review:
Parents say (2 ):
Kids say (3 ):

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.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • 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.

Movie Details

  • In theaters: April 7, 2000
  • On DVD or streaming: October 31, 2000
  • Cast: Bonnie Hunt , David Duchovny , Minnie Driver
  • Director: Bonnie Hunt
  • Inclusion Information: Female actors
  • Studio: MGM/UA
  • Genre: Romance
  • Run time: 115 minutes
  • MPAA rating: PG
  • MPAA explanation: language and thematic elements
  • Last updated: June 19, 2023

Inclusion information powered by

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

See all recommended movie lists

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate