More than a few times I have gone to a test screening expecting the filmto be a comedy or a drama only to discover the complete opposite to betrue. Making for a slightly transcendent first few viewing moments as Iget adjusted to the newly discovered theme of the film I happen to bewatching. A not too frequent occurrence I recently experienced anew when Iattended one of the first test screenings for the upcoming Miramaxfilm Bounce ( Actually another company other than NRG tested itmonths before so technically it wasn’t the first screening). AsBounce is the latest on screen effort from one of my favoritewriter/directors Don Roos, who also happened to be in attendance at thescreening and whose Opposite of Sex is still one of my favoritefilms of all times. As most of his brilliantly written films revolvearound some aspect of society or culture that would not be consideredto be the norm in one way or the other which naturally makes for aninteresting ride. Since Bounce is anything but a traditional lovestory with strong underlining messages about fate, love and acceptance ofwhat we can and cannot control. As evidenced by the tragic plane crashand death of Gwenyth Paltrow’s husband Greg Janello ( Tony Goldwyn), whoactually was not supposed to be on the ill fated flight that resulted inhis untimely death. As it was Ben Affleck’s alcoholic womanizing characterBuddy Amaral who was supposed to on the plane that crashed killing all twohundred and something passengers instead of being shacked up in anearby motel with a one night stand. The woman Buddy picked up in theairport bar prior to meeting Greg and exchanging flights so Greg could gethome in time to spend Christmas with his family and so Buddy getsome as it were. Isn’t fate a fickle funny thing?!

Thus you have the essentials of the story, a man torn apart by feelings ofguilt and remorse desperately wanting to make amends for something thatnever really was in his control to begin with. Yet he cannot help but betortured by the fact that the only reason he survived and Greg didn’t wassimply due to the fact that he was being selfish and wanted to score withNatasha Henstridge’s somewhat slutty character. Seemingly the ongoingtheme in Buddy’s life as he seems to always do exactly what he wants,whenever and to whomever he wants without ever having to pay theconsequences for his actions. Which eventually take it’s toll on poorBuddy and his fragile psyche as he starts to loose it both personally andprofessionally, as he spends more and more of his time drinking andfeeling sorry for himself. Eventually requiring him to be admitted to atreatment facility and subsequently enrolled in A.A in the hopes ofdealing with his drinking problem and his desire to make amends ( Anactual step in A.A. for those of you without a drinking problem might notknow otherwise).

Hence Buddy starts doing everything in his power to get in touch withGreg’s wife Abby ( Ben’s real life on and off again girlfriend GwenythPaltrow) and make her as comfortable as possible. Mainly by throwing realestate business her way without telling her exactly the reason why he’sbeing so kind or concerned for Buddy certainly can’t tell Abby he issomewhat responsible for her husbands death. Which eventually starts toeat away at Buddy as he becomes more and more attracted to Abby and hertwo kids all of whom have grown to love him, presenting even more of aproblem for Buddy for now he feels guilty about romancing Abby underfalse pretenses and even tries to end things with her at one point. Thoughrather unsuccessfully as Buddy’s new male secretary knows that they aremade for each other and does his best to make sure that they keep bumpinginto one another in one way or another (A very nice supporting characterrole in the film and nicely written).

Now as a whole I thought the film was really well done, smartly writtenand superbly acted. As I really liked both Ben and Gwenyth’s performancesin the film as well as that of the the scene stealing Johnny Galeckie (Buddy’s male secretary). Alas fine performances aside I have to say that Ihad a tremendous problem swallowing certain facts circulating within thefilm, mainly the dynamics involved in the relationship between Abby andBuddy. For I cannot see anyone ever being able to seriously forgivesomeone who intentionally or unintentionally caused the death of a lovedone, even if purely by accident or through random chance as that is justtoo devastating a loss to come to terms with. Which is basically what theentire notion of film rests upon and that was just too much for me acceptdespite the film’s extremely well written dialogue and finely cast set ofactors for some things are just too hard to get over. So aside from thatlittle fact or problem I really liked the film and I think a lot of lessforgiving people will feel the same way, it just depends on yourpersonality and if you have one of those love conquers all mentalities ornot.

As always if you have any questions or comments please feel free to sendthem to lighthouseshines@hotmail.com and someone will get back to you just assoon as possible-THANKS!