Bounce (2000)

Terrible acting, screenplay and direction.

Strong and Moving!

Best movie ever!

Wow! What a bizarre film! Unfortunately the few funny moments there were were quite overshadowed by it's completely weird and random vibe throughout.

Bounce (2000): Dir: Don Roos / Cast: Ben Affleck, Gwyneth Paltrow, Joe Morton, Natasha Henstridge, Jennifer Grey: Its title sounds like an ad for laundry detergent, and by the time it was done, the idea of seeing this film bounce about in a dryer sounded greatly appealing. Ben Affleck gives his plane ticket to someone who wanted to get home to his wife but the plane crashes leaving Gwyneth Paltrow a widow. After a drinking stint that could have resulted in his agreeing to do this film, he attempts to tell her of the situation but falls in love with her. Now Paltrow will spend wasted time claiming to be divorced, which Affleck knows isn't true. Stupid plot could have been solved with a simple conversation. Director Don Roos is no help although Paltrow and Affleck are no road map either. This might have made a better short film with Affleck just coming clean. As it is, it isn't short enough. Wasted supporting work by Joe Morton and Natasha Henstridge. Jennifer Grey even becomes desperate enough to get sucked into this, and it is even worse than her overrated Dirty Dancing. This film could have examined one's dealing with death and the struggle to carry on but instead the theme is bypassed in favor of manipulating viewers with a lame sob story. It is easily one of the worst excuses for a romance as well as one of the worst films of the year. It should be bounced in a trash bin. Score: 0 / 10

As for the story, it's good but not entirely good. I mean it's pretty old, I saw an Egyptian movie from 1962 named (Wafaa Ela El-Abd or Loyalty Forever) with nearly the same plot, maybe there is even an older origin I don't know yet. Over and above, although (Bounce) has nice details and actual characters, but I didn't buy the fast way how the girl fell for the new boy. And all the third act, with the sudden trial and the soppy speech, was forced and unconvincing just for the sake of ending the matters a la Hollywood! True that (Ben Affleck)'s kisses to his co-star were really hot, due to their real-life love affair at the point, but he almost didn't do anything as "real" during the whole movie. As for him I had to wait till (Hollywoodland – 2006) to admire his acting. Before that, the guy didn't have rich depths (only one flat face !). I believe back then his experience, as a human and actor, hadn't developed appropriately. And sorrowfully the irony got bigger while being in front of a huge talent named (Gwyneth Paltrow).This girl assured that she's one of a kind actress. Look at the way she makes her character. From the black hair, the childish diction, to the tense looks and the sensitive body language she was the most honest factor. I loved her performance a lot. Simply she owned the movie. And you may appreciate this opinion highly when you know that it comes from someone who's not a fan of her at all. It eats me that (Julia Roberts) wins the Oscar of that year incomprehensibly for (Erin Brockovich), while (Gwyneth Paltrow) didn't even get a nomination ! (Bounce) is a memorable romance; delicate and smart. But nothing is perfect…except (Paltrow) here.

I thought this film was a good effort. The exceedingly predictable ending did not impair the film.Gwyneth Paltrow was stunningly good in her role as 'Abby Janelo'. She appeared as herself with natural brown hair and no makeup. Most actresses would be too vain for this. I still remember a closeup of Raquel Welch in 'One Million B.C.'. She was playing a cave woman with enough eyeliner and lip gloss to stock a cosmetics counter. Anyway, Gwyneth's look was entirely convincing for a harried single working mother.Ben Affleck did alright as the bad 'Buddy' of the film's beginning, but didn't sell me as the remorseful 'Buddy' trying to do better and hold on to 'Abby'. Ben and Gwyneth had decent chemistry together, so that aspect held up for the length of the film. Ben had slightly less chemistry with the two child actors playing 'Abby's' children. His attachment to them was never quite credible.The director deleted some great material from the film. The scene where 'Mimi' and 'Abby' view the video tape from the Chicago airport meeting of 'Greg', 'Buddy', and 'Mimi' was too powerful to lose. The scene made 'Abby's' rejection of 'Buddy' much more credible.The deleted scene where 'Buddy' meets 'Janice' in Chicago right before they both testify in the trial was profound. 'Buddy' has tried to redeem himself by helping 'Abby', but he has destroyed 'Janice' by convincing her to board 'Greg' in violation of airline rules. 'Janice' faces ruin of her whole life as a result of accommodating 'Buddy'. The scene was deleted to make 'Buddy' a more sympathetic character before the end of the movie. Jennifer Grey gave an outstanding performance here only to have it cut from the final version of the film.Still, the film gives a glimpse of the effect our choices can have on the lives of people we may well never meet. Despite the weak spots, the film held together. Perhaps a directors cut of the film with the choicest deleted scenes reinstated will be issued.

A charming romantic tale of two people brought together, both with emotional baggage issues. I thought the performances were great from both superb actors, they really worked well together and made a nice couple. I was a bit sorry to see it end so soon, was expecting an update, like a few years on down the track would have been nice to see them work out their issues together. It was well worth the effort to watch this movie, a good girls night in movie. Was especially glad to realize it wasn't a tear jerker but a good solid, easy watching movie. I rated it 7 out of 10 and fans of these two actors are in for a real treat.