Return To Me: You Found Me

One of the things I love about "Return To Me" is the way Bonnie Hunt talks of her delight in making the film in the DVD commentary. The things I'd noticed about the film; the ease with which the leads and supporting cast interact with one another, the naturalistic, seemingly improvised dialogue and the genuine affection that seems to permeate the screen were all confirmed by her wonderfully engaging commentary. I love the fact that she used so many friends and family in minor roles in this film, including her Mum in the early O'Reilly's scenes -- it shows just what a close knit production this was.

This warmth of feeling is really evident between the two leads; the wonderful David Duchovny, who plays Bob Rueland, the heartbroken widower who finds love again with the beautiful Minnie Driver, who plays Grace Brown, the woman who unknowingly inherits the heart of Bob's tragically killed wife Elizabeth (the stunning Joely Richardson). I've liked David Duchovny since my university days watching "The X Files", and it was great to see him in a different role. Minnie Driver is a superb British actress, and she brings such vulnerability to Grace it's a pleasure to watch them interacting on screen. Joely Richardson's role, however brief, is also wonderfully natural and understated. As mentioned before, the supporting cast, the four old men who run the restaurant, ably headed up by Robert Loggia are superb, and I love the way Bonnie Hunt and James Belushi create such magic between them as onscreen husband and wife.

The song I chose to work with, Kelly Clarkson's "You Found Me" is an oft-used track for music videos. I know it's a well trodden path, but I love the twin senses of heartbreak and hope in the lyrics. I thought the song was perfect for a video from Bob's point of view; he is the man who never thought he'd love again until this quirky, vulnerable woman enters his life. The recurring line "How did you know just where I would be?" also seems particularly apt, given the subtle emphasis on the power of the heart, both physical and metaphorical in this film. Kelly Clarskon has such a big, all encompassing voice that the song seemed to match the onscreen emotions really well.

I've tried to mimic some of the transitions used in the film; there is extensive use of cross fading in the film, especially to show the passing of Elizabeth Rueland, and I wanted to show Bob's gentle evolution from heartbreak to hope using the same transition. The additive dissolve gives a brief, white glow to certain transitions which is meant to represent the magical quality of Grace's love. And I couldn't resist a few overlays, just because they seem to be a feature of my videos these days!

I hope you enjoy this one; it was a pleasure to make, and made purely out of love and respect for the film and its creators and actors. I'd love to meet Bonnie Hunt one day to find out exactly how she managed to create such a wonderfully human film -- she's an amazing director.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• david
• duchovny
• minnie
• driver
• grace
• brown
• Bob
• Rueland
• Joely
• Richardson
• Elizabeth
• Bonnie
• Hunt
• Kelly
• Clarkson

[titanic2191]

this is corny to say, but this movie sure gives meaning to the song "My heart will go on" doesn't it? :p

[fayzabeam]

Definitely! It's such a sweet film, I couldn't resist making a video for it.

[titanic2191]

Good Lord, that look in his eyes at 1:40! whew!

[fayzabeam]

LOL! Yes - he certainly knows how to seduce with his eyes, doesn't he? :)

[KaptainKaitlin]

I completely agree with your analysis of the movie- it's just easy to watch, easy to understand, and easy to feel for the characters. I think another reason I enjoy watching the movie is that unlike in other romantic comedies, the love interests are everyday people. It bugs me how often movies depict fabulously wealthy people falling in love- so I suppose it's more believable in this movie. The story doesn't gush like some do, but "secretes" sweetness. Great job!

[fayzabeam]

Thanks so much for the comment - it's good to know people read the video commentaries as well as watch the videos :). I completely agree with YOU about the ordinariness of the characters in the film, too - they're definitely more credible because of this, and this helps the audience to identify more closely with their situations. It's a lovely film, and so beautifully put together - everything in it so so understated and natural.

[hip2bsquare42]

I love this movie so much. I only watched it first because David Duchovny was in it. But once I got maybe 20 minutes into it I fell in love with the whole movie!!!!!

It's such a cute story and doesn't use the same formula for most romantic movies! I loved this.

and David did such a great job! My love for him just grew MORE!

hehe :)

I wish they still made movies like this!

LOVE IT! <3

[hip2bsquare42]

hahaha!

oh my god!!

TOO TRUE!!! <3

[stevg8liverpool]

All ways love watching this movie its a teardrop rolling down my face heart warming movie makes me laugh,smile and cry and i am not normally into these type of films

Bonnie Hunt you made a great movie

[missindependent22]

I've know this movie for years, but never got around watching it. I find minnie driver's acting annoying in other movies. But two days ago I thought I'll give a try, 'cause I find the story appealing. I was so wrong. What a wonderfull movie!

All the actors did a great job. Especially david duchovny. He is so charming and hot in this movie. (Sorry had to let that out). I agree with most of the comments posted here. I love you're video. You did a great job capturing the movie in a song:).

[woolybully72]

@dayman12345 Cool. She was so nice. She also seemed like a real perfectionist as a director. There were scenes that we shot so many takes that I thought we would never get home. Such a fun atmosphere too. Great cast to be around. Very high energy and a lot of fun. I taught English at Bens. I lived over by Wrigley though. Irving Park and Sheridan. I got the call for What Women Want, but was not able to make it. Bummed about that. Would have loved to have worked on another of her movies.

[dayman12345]

@woolybully72 really? i live right by bens and bonnie is my aunt

[woolybully72]

@dayman12345

I was in this movie too. Was teaching at St. Bens and did this movie as a summer gig. I got to stand in for the bartender and was able to hang out with Bonnie and the crew till 11 oclock one night. It was awesome.

[feminist1876]

@titanic2191 haha yeah

[almareme]

david is something beyond compare

[krystalsbrain]

this movie is in my top 5 fav's and love all off kelly clarkson's music great video. just loved it!

[ClareDLoon]

My all time fav movie. Carroll O'Conner's last. Dochovny's crying scene still tears my heart out. But Belushi was the greatest and stole the show. This movie has everything. Oh, and Clarkson's song is great, too. Lol

[irishmary24]

wow! great job here! your comments about the movie were right on! the viewer immediately loves every character (exept water lady). we kind of wish we were part of this loving family! great song,too! 5 stars