This is a completely unrealistic story dripping with sap. It should be too ridiculous to believe, and in some ways it is, but it's also heartwarming, funny, romantic and piercingly nostalgic. I loved it in 2000 and after 20 years I love it still. Just enjoy.

"Return to Me" is a fine example of quality films that Hollywood can still produce for the whole family. The cast is excellent and includes top old-time actors, stars from intermediate years and newer actors. Carroll O'Connor and Robert Loggia head a quartet of old-time buddies that close O'Reilly's Italian Restaurant each night. O'Connor is Marty O'Reilly, the owner. Loggia is his friend and famous Italian chef, Angelo Pardipillo. James Belushi and Bonnie Hunt are Joe and Megan Dayton. They are family friends of Grace Briggs, played by Minnie Driver. Grace is Marty's granddaughter. She has an inherited heart problem. Across town (Chicago), David Duchovny is a builder, Bob Rueland. He's married to Dr. Elizabeth Rueland, a zoologist at the city zoo. David Grier is Charlie Johnson, a veterinarian at the zoo. He heads a list of friends of Elizabeth and Bob.

That sets the stage for the movie. The opening scenes lay this much out, with more depth. Then the drama begins. This is a tender look at family and friends. It includes deep sorrow at loss of a beloved spouse at a young age. It includes the hope of a miracle for a young life that was born with a genetic disability. It is a film about friends and deep, lasting friendships. It is about loss of parents early in life. It is about a strong, loving relationship between a young woman and her grandfather. It is a film about strong faith and belief in God. It is a story about loss and recovery, illness and healing. It is film about joy, happiness and fun, and love of life.

The whole family should enjoy this uplifting look at life, family, friendship and faith.

Bob (David Duchovny) and Elizabeth Rueland (Joely Richardson) are happily married. After a fundraiser, they get into a car accident and she is killed. Meanwhile, sickly Grace Briggs (Minnie Driver) is in the hospital and she gets transplanted with Elizabeth's heart. About one year later, Grace is still self-conscious about the heart transplant. Her family (Carroll O'Connor, Robert Loggia) runs an Irish-Italian restaurant. Bob is heart broken and his best friend Charlie (David Alan Grier) keeps trying to set him up. Sparks fly when Grace meets Bob at the restaurant but they don't know their other connection.

Duchovny and Driver have adorable chemistry together. That's why the movie needs to bring them together sooner. A much more tighter opening would be very helpful. Written by Bonnie Hunt and Don Lake, there are a lot little charming jokes from everybody especially the side characters. It's very much a comedy from many character actors. A lot of it is very funny. This is a very sweet comedic romance.