Return To Me

Bonnie Hunt wrote, directed and performed in this old-fashioned love bucket of a movie. She deserves a hug. When sentiment is dished up with the tastiest Italian cooking since Big Night, who's complaining?

Cher won an Oscar in similar circumstances with Moonstruck, not that any of this lot are likely to stretch so far. Joely Richardson dies too soon. David Duchovny plays nice nicely. Minnie Driver weeps well. No one changes sex, pulls a gun or offers their body to a corrupt official. This is romance the way grandma remembers it.

Grace (Driver) has a heart transplant. The donor is Elizabeth (Richardson), who was married to Bob (Duchovny). Grace works in her grandfather's restaurant, which is where she meets Bob, who has been dragged out on a blind date with friends. They hit it off immediately. There is only one problem - well, two, actually.

Grace has a complex about her operation scar. She wears high necked sweaters and buttons her shirt to the top. Dare she tell Bob? She must, but how? And then she discovers whose heart she carries: it is the moment of truth. For both of them.

The performances are neither gushy, nor slushy, the humour gentle and genuine, the script charming and low key. Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan belong here. They own rights to this territory. Duchovny and Driver are just passing through. They leave a good impression.