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Ben Affleck, Gwyneth Paltrow, Joe Morton, Natasha Henstridge, Tony Goldwyn ... see more see more... , Johnny Galecki , Alex D. Linz , David Dorfman , Jennifer Grey , Caroline Aaron , Don Amendolia , Julia Campbell , Edward Edwards , Jeff Garlin , Michael Laskin , John Levin , David McCharen , David Paymer , Sam Robards , David St. James , Nicole Tocantins , Julianne Christie , Matthew Frauman , Thea Mann , Lisa Joyner , Juan García , Scott Alan Smith , Lisa Carpenter Prewitt , Richard Saxton , Mary Ellen Lyon , Ty Murphy , Ashley Montgomerey , Eric Aude , Mark Ankeny , Michael Ayala , Chris Harrison

In this romantic comedy-drama, two people whose lives were touched by the same tragedy find love. Buddy Amaral (Ben Affleck) is a successful L.A. advertising executive who has a way with the ladies, b... read more read more...ut inside he longs for a meaningful long-term relationship. One day Buddy sells his seat on a sold-out airline flight to a stranger; he's shocked when the jet crashes and the man is killed. A year later, still haunted by the incident, Buddy looks up Abby Janello (Gwyneth Paltrow), the victim's widow, who is now selling real estate to support her children. Buddy soon finds himself attracted to Abby, and the feeling is mutual, but while he's interested in marriage, he isn't sure how (or if) he should tell her that he was indirectly responsible for her husband's death. Bounce was written and directed by Don Roos, who made a splash with his independent debut The Opposite of Sex; supporting Affleck and Paltrow are Natasha Henstridge, Jennifer Grey, David Paymer, and Joe Morton. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Flixster Users

34% liked it

21,265 ratings

Critics

52% liked it

107 critics

PG-13, 1 hr. 46 min.

Directed by: Don Roos

Release Date: November 17, 2000

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DVD Release Date: April 10, 2001

Stats: 569 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (569)

  • ScoopOnline
    December 15, 2009
    ScoopOnline
    Two strangers fell in love. One knew it wasn't by chance.
  • LitelBluHli
    March 9, 2009
    LitelBluHli
    There wasn't a lot of noise with this movie, but I loved it! It was a sad, but sweet movie.
  • superclerk25
    February 27, 2009
    superclerk25
    I didn't really care for the flick. Even though Affleck is the man he put out a very plain movie that didn't have me caring at all for the characters.
  • deano
    December 17, 2007
    deano
    This lean, low-key story about love, fate, commitment, guilt, and spin control is a quite good date movie. Soulful performances, mushrooming compassion, and gemlike pockets of dialogue give credibility to the film's occasionally farfetched plot points.
  • jjnxn
    May 4, 2007
    jjnxn
    ben is good, gwyneth wan
  • mjgildea
    November 14, 2006
    mjgildea
    Just when you thought you couldn't be any more bored...
  • mrbungle7821
    February 23, 2006
    mrbungle7821
    [font=Arial][color=darkred]The romantic comedy genre is in a slum of development, it's own personal ring of hell that can be thanked by the likes of Meg Ryan and Julia Roberts. These perky poppy pharmacutical enriched stars have replaced a playing field with a paint-by-numbers co... read moreloring book. Color in this section blue for the ignoring bastard of a boyfriend that the heroine is attached to, color this section red for some "misunderstanding" to occur that shatters the perfection of the relationship for ten minutes before a wise-cracking best friend convinces otherwise and reveals their honest true feelings, color this part yellow for ecentric yet loveable colloquial supporting relatives... etc. You hopefully get the idea. It's all been done before. But can you make a romantic comedy that sticks to the aforementioned rules but is still enjoyable - in a non-brain sucking sort of way?[/color][/font]

    [font=Arial][color=darkred]Ben Affleck plays a cocky ad guru with malicous flair. He's brimming with confidance and a sly charm. One evening he encounters two strangers in an airport bar. One is a sexy blonde that Buddy works his moves to make his own layover. The other man just wants to get back to his wife and family for Christmas but his flight isn't until the next afternoon. Buddy does the honorable win-win situation and gives up his ticket. The man cheerfully thanks Buddy for his generosity and beams about on his way toward the flight home. Buddy beams about on his way back toward a hotel bedroom. That is until he flips on the TV to see a news report of flaming reckage that was supposed to be his plane.[/color][/font]

    [font=Arial][color=darkred]The realization of his close encounter with death and the grief of sending another man to replace him takes its toll. Buddy becomes an alcoholic and beligerant at an awards special where his agency is responsible for spinning the crash for the airline. After some time spent to recover buddy feels the personal need to search for the widow of the man he exchanged tickets with and see if she is doing okay. His widow is played by a brunette Gwyneth Paltrow and little do each think that they will fall in love with one another.[/color][/font]

    [font=Arial][color=darkred]Granted, the story and all the so-called surprises that happen in it are telegraphed much sooner than their arrival. We know he'll fall for her, we know she'll find out, we know there'll be a blow out, we know there will be a reconciliation. We just know. What makes 'Bounce' surge from the formula is the ability of the actors and the wit of writer/director Don Roos. The sophomore film from the man who gave us 'The Opposite of Sex' and lesser screenplays shows controlled and understated direction when dealing with the emotions of his characters.[/color][/font]

    [font=Arial][color=darkred]Affleck quite possibly is showing his finest acting work yet. His Buddy runs the transformation of cocky socialite to a man haunted by grief and weary of his advances on the woman he accidently widowed. The chemistry between Gwyneth and Affleck is electric and they mesh together very postively. In my later review of 'Proof of Life' I mentioned how because Ryan and Russel Crowe fooled around during film that it didn't transpire to anything on film. Well the past relationship of the two leads here sure as hell allows for some sizzle. Paltrow is quite fine as a harrowed widow trying to raise her boys. A scene where she slowly discovers the truth of her husband's fate is wrenching. She also looks good as a brunette.[/color][/font]

    [font=Arial][color=darkred]Roos may have to still play by the rules of romantic comedies but at least he utilizes skill to come away with something that doesn't seem like 'Pretty Woman' meets 'Random Hearts'. And you know what 'Random Hearts' could have used to make it a little livlier? A supporting performance by Johnny Galecki of course. Well, then again - nothing could save that movie.[/color][/font]

    [font=Arial][color=darkred]Nate's Grade: B [/color][/font]
  • fb1144932598
    May 26, 2009
    fb1144932598
    An improbable love story that revolves around the burden of guilt felt by those who have been touched by tragedy. Buddy (Ben Affleck), an ad-man, gives up his seat on a flight from Chicago to LA to a man trying to get home to his family. The plane goes down, leaving Buddy with a ... read moreboatload of guilt. He eventually goes to check on the family and meets and falls in love with the widow, Abby (Gwyneth Paltrow). Neither of them is entirely truthful and the dramatic tension is supplied when the truth comes out, as it must. Fine acting, an emotional story, and a solid supporting cast captured this viewer. Classic boy meets girl tale with a somber twist. Four and a half stars.
  • crazydannielle16
    September 3, 2007
    crazydannielle16
    Honesty and forgiveness are themes in this sweet chick flick.
  • nadyajoensen
    August 28, 2011
    nadyajoensen
    This movie is easy going and maybe a little bit boring. The plot was good and so were the actors. I like Ben Affleck and Gwyneth Paltrow but this movie does not reflect their greatest performances.This is a story about two men who switch plane tickets and when the one plane crash... read morees and kills the passengers on board, the other man feels horrified and guilty, so he decides to find the deceased man's wife to tell her what happened to her husband. When he meets with the widow he starts falling in love with her which was not what he intended. If you want something easy to watch for a Sunday afternoon, this one would be a good choice.

View All Bounce Reviews

Critic Reviews

Rick Groen
March 19, 2002
Rick Groen, Globe and Mail

Two movies in one -- lively when people are talking, lame when things are happening. Full Review

Lou Lumenick
January 1, 2000
Lou Lumenick, New York Post

The most depressing date movie since Random Hearts.

Kirk Honeycutt
January 1, 2000
Kirk Honeycutt, Hollywood Reporter

Dramatic contrivances and manipulation stain a tissue-thin plot.

James Berardinelli
January 1, 2000
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

Don Roos' dialogue is a cut above the norm. Full Review

Owen Gleiberman
January 1, 2000
Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly

A romantic drama of lovely, modest, and all too rare understatement. Full Review

John Anderson
January 1, 2000
John Anderson, Newsday

[Paltrow and Affleck] are very attractive people but don't give the impression they've ever lost anything other than their way to an Oscar after-party. Full Review

Cody Clark
January 1, 2000
Cody Clark, Mr. Showbiz

Roos combines a sharp script with excellent performances and comfortably lived-in sets to produce a cornucopia of poignantly human interludes.

Kenneth Turan
January 1, 2000
Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times

About as moving as a month-old Kleenex. Full Review

Philip Wuntch
January 1, 2000
Philip Wuntch, Dallas Morning News

The time has come for unsparing truths: Has there ever been a duller Hollywood duo than Ben & Gwyn? Full Review

Jay Carr
January 1, 2000
Jay Carr, Boston Globe

Something is missing in Bounce, the muted dynamic of which calls forth a perhaps inevitably muted reaction.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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