Bounce

View Date: November 18th, 2000

Cast :

Writer and Director: Don Roos 

Based upon the previews, Bounce sets itself up to be yet another entry into the sappy, predictable romance sweepstakes that seems to flood the movie calendar around Valentine’s Day and Christmas.  The previews tell of a story that we’ve seen too many times, about two people falling in love, but one having a secret, and the remainder of the movie following the formula of courtship, love, discovery, break-up, and ultimate realization that love is stronger than any secret. But director Don Roos, he of the wonderfully inventive social satire, The Opposite of Sex has done a unique thing.  He cast the story with real people, in real situations, reacting the way that normal people, not Hollywood’s version of normal, would react.  In doing so, he made the ultimate journey, which has to follow a set path, a little more enjoyable, and this film, more surprising and entertaining than expected.  Granted, he does cave to conventional audience pleasing tactics in his handling of the conclusion, but this only slightly diminishes what may well be the best, and better yet, most real love story that you’ll see in a long time.

Story

The chemistry between Affleck and Paltrow may or may not work based upon their real life relationship.  There is a genuine spark between them, and an ease in the conversation that makes the audience feel that someone turned a camera on two people going through a courtship, and lets us in on every aspect of it.

Scene in office, spilling soda, barren office – conversation doesn’t seem preachy or psychological, but still introspective and enlightening.

Ultimately, Bounce is a truly unexpected surprise, kind of like real love can be.  They say that you find love when you least expect and when you’re not looking for it.  This movie leads you to believe that it will be one thing, then ambushes you and drags you into something truly wonderful, unbelieveable human and relateably amazing.  It’s too bad that Roos gave into his test audience suggestions of a more “Hollywood style” ending.  This could have been something truly powerful, had it finished with the same style that it began with, but in no way does that diminish that the films effect will ultimately have on anyone who has ever been love, or yearns to be in love.  The title comes from two people who are rebounding from tragedies in their lives, and instead of falling, they continue to bounce along until finding their place to settle.  Hopefully, this movie will find its audience, and not be stuck bounding along with other light romantic comedies, this one deserves to go above and beyond them. ($$$ out of $$$$)

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