Bounce

First of all, let me say that it is a rare day indeed that I pay to see a romantic comedy/drama. But I suppose the voyeuristic part of me took hold, and I just had to see Ben Affleck and Gwyneth Paltrow in the same movie. And I'm not sorry I did, either.

Bounce, written and directed by Don Roos (The Opposite of Sex), is surprisingly entertaining on a number of levels. We start at O'Hare, with flights being delayed all over the place. Buddy (Affleck), Mimi (Natasha Henstridge) and Greg (Tony Goldwyn) are having drinks and passing the time at a bar. Buddy's flight is the only one getting out tonight, but he gives his ticket to Greg, so that he and Mimi can get cozy. The plane crashes, however, killing everyone aboard, and Buddy goes on a downward spiral of alcoholism and depression as if he were guilty on some kind of cosmic-fate level.

Strictly speaking, Buddy's not guilty of anything, but he tracks down Greg's widow, Abby (Paltrow) and manages to get her a real estate commission on a property his company was going to buy anyway. His only intention was to do a good deed for the woman, but before you know it, Buddy and Abby are going to Dodgers games and falling in love. The rest of the movie builts toward the inevitable "revelation" scene, but Roos handles it all very well.

Roos' greatest asset is his ability to write realistic and compelling dialog. I can't stress that enough. And the acting the great too. Affleck plays basically the same guy he always does, but he's at least making an effort these days to add a little depth - and it doesn't go unnoticed. The guy is coming along fine, although I think Matt Damon is still the superior thespian. But I swear to God, if you want 50 women crying on command, all you need to do is flash Affleck's mug on the screen with a tear coming down his face. I was having Titanic flashbacks there was so much crying going on in that theater. But more than actual acting ability, Affleck just has screen presence -- it's undeniably fun to watch him. The same goes for Paltrow, but good christ -- someone needs to get that girl a sandwich. Tony Goldwyn (also currently in The 6th Day) and Natasha Henstridge both do well in their minor roles. Johnny Galecki (Darlene's boyfriend from TV's Roseanne) shines as Buddy's assistant, who isn't afraid to speak plainly to his boss.

All in all, it's a very solid movie. It's a chick flick, sure, but I still enjoyed it. I wholeheartedly recommend it whether or not you've got a girl to take. At the very least, it certainly redeems Ben Affleck for Reindeer Games.

Til All Are One --

- Ultra Magnus