by Chris Kane, Reviewer
Although I was pleasantly surprised with Crazy Stupid Love, and thought The Notebook rather sweet, I generally enjoy a romantic comedy/dramedy about as much as I imagine I’d enjoy a proctological exam administered by a doctor with motor control issues and Peter Mayhew-size fingers. But since I’m always looking to test (or punish) myself, I figured I’d try Bounce. Why not? The film has two academy award winners in the lead; Ben Affleck, (who was, I believe, the bomb in Phantoms!) and Gwyneth Paltrow, whose head is the answer to that ubiquitous question, what’s in the box?
Los Angeles-bound ad executive Buddy Amaral (Ben Affleck – Good Will Hunting, The Town, Argo) spends a few snowy pre-flight hours in an airport bar, where he meets Mimi (Natasha Henstridge – Species, The Whole Ten Yards) and fellow Los Angelino and author Greg Janello (Tony Goldwyn – Ghost, Scandal). It isn’t long before drinks, good intentions, and the promise of a night with Mimi prompts Buddy to give Greg (who was bumped to a later flight) his ticket so Greg can make it home in time for an outing with his son. The worst possible tragedy imaginable ensues, sending Buddy into a multi-month drinking binge that culminates in a stint in a rehab facility. Shortly after his release, Buddy begins working step 8: making amends. First stop: Greg’s widow, Abby (Gwyneth Paltrow – Shakespeare In Love, Iron Man, The Avengers).
Although the story from point A to C is a bit contrived and a touch predictable, Bounce succeeds on the subtlety and strength of the cast, and writer/director Don Roos’s (The Opposite of Sex, Single White Female) script. Roos takes a reasonably ho-hum situation and brings it to vivid life with depth of character and excellent dialogue just shy of Jerry Maguire quotable. Affleck taps back in to what he did so well in Chasing Amy and brings a similar (yet fresh) intensity and evocative vulnerability not present in a majority of romantic male leads. Paltrow shows the power and breadth of her range, vacillating between a genuine sweetness, and in one memorable scene, a tower of iron resolve and smoldering anger. Excellent performances are turned in by supporting cast as well: consider a pre Big Bang Theory Johnny Galecki and the subtlety he brings to personal assistant, Seth. David Dorfman and Alex Linz as the Janello boys manage adorable without becoming cloying or obnoxious.
Blu-Ray transfer: There are some films which transfer beautifully (Star Wars), and there are others that make you wonder why the studio bothers with a Blu-ray transfer at all? Although Bounce looks and sounds great, it’s not necessarily a movie that benefits from the Blu-ray format. That said, if you love this film or it speaks to you on an emotional level, you’re gonna love it!
Special Features:
- Feature commentary track with writer/director Don Roos and co-producer Bobby Cohen
- Deleted scenes with commentary
- “Need to Be Next to You” music video
- “All About Bounce”
- Ben and Gwyneth go behind the scenes
- Scene-specific commentary with writer/director Don Roos and actors Ben Affleck and Gwyneth Paltrow.
Overall:
If romantic dramedies, Gwyneth Paltrow and Ben Affleck are your things, then you must have Bounce on Blu-ray!
ComicsOnline gives Bounce 3 last calls of the day out of 5.
Get your copy of Bounce on Blu-ray at Amazon!
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