I proudly admit I absolutely love romantic-comedies. Sure, there are those few that are utterly contrived and have no appeal or originality, but this one is truly one for the books (or film vaults). It is the rather touching story of a man, Bob, falling in love with the woman, Grace, who received his deceased wife�s heart in a transplant, unbeknownst to either of the love birds.
Sitting in the theater I pondered �this is such an obvious idea for a romantic-comedy, why hasn�t anyone come up with it before?� Ok, maybe they have, but apparently it was not any good because I never heard of it, or at least cannot think of it. Anyway, I could care less. This is such a romantic treat with it its undertones of family-values and commitment phobia and undying love. This is a film that could have been made with Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant back in the days and I think we may have found their contemporary equivalents in Minnie Driver and David Duchovny. I am just so in awe.
This is the type of movie people say they don�t make any more. Well, they have, and they did it well. I must give snaps to Bonnie Hunt, a truly remarkable actress, and now a great director/writer. She does not fill the film with so many obvious clich�s, but creates a wonderfully romantic film that just might create a few of its own, bringing out the romantic in everyone.
High praise must be given to the entire cast, including Ms. Hunt. Minnie Driver is an incredible actress with a sparkle in her eye, destined to become America�s new sweetheart. David Duchovny as her romantic counterpart, I did not see as a believable romantic lead at the beginning of the film, but as the film progressed I grew fonder of his character and the chemistry he shared with Minnie Driver. Carroll O�Connor as Grace�s overbearing grandfather is delightful and truly believable.
The rest of the cast is thrown in to put a bit of comedic relief to the more emotional scenes, but all do wonderfully, Bonnie Hunt, James Belushi, Robert Loggia, David Allen Grier. Even Joely Richardson in her minor role as Bob�s wife Elizabeth is quite easy to love. I am just so delighted with this film that I recommend it for every true romantic and the romantic-at-heart.
