Return to Me 2000

Bob Rueland, portrayed by David Duchovny, and his beloved wife Elizabeth, a dedicated animal psychologist, share a profound love. Elizabeth has devoted 16 years of her life caring for a gorilla at the Chicago zoo, and Bob is working tirelessly on a stunning new gorilla enclosure designed by Elizabeth herself. Their lives take a tragic turn when Elizabeth, fatally injured one fateful night after a gala event, passes away in the hospital. As a heart donor, her heart is subsequently transplanted into Grace Briggs, a young orphan raised by her grandfather, Marty O’Reilly, who operates an Italian restaurant.

Grace, played by Minnie Driver, grapples with her own struggles, including a weak heart from an incurable disease requiring a transplant. As she recovers post-surgery, Grace feels a connection to Bob, who is heartbroken over his wife’s death. Despite the grief, Grace finds solace in her new life, painting and tending to a vibrant garden in her grandfather’s backyard. After sending a heartfelt letter to the donor’s family, she cherishes newfound experiences, including visits to the zoo with her friend Megan and witnessing an extraordinary moment when the gorilla unexpectedly acknowledges her.

As months pass, Bob’s friends encourage him to reconnect with life. On a date orchestrated by Charlie, a zoo veterinarian, Bob unexpectedly meets Grace while trying to navigate his complicated emotions. Although Bob initially feels out of sorts with his blind date, he develops an undeniable attraction to Grace. Following a series of chance encounters and miscommunications, Grace is haunted by the secret of her heart transplant — a truth that complicates her growing feelings for Bob.

Torn, Grace ultimately decides to escape to Italy to pursue her passion for painting, even though her heart leads her thoughts back to Bob. In Italy, she struggles to create while her heart yearns for him. On a serendipitous day, their paths cross in a bustling Italian street, where Grace’s beautiful red bicycle becomes the bridge that brings them together once again — just a few days after their separation. Meanwhile, back in the States, life continues as Bob focuses on a grand opening for the gorilla enclosure, and love forges ahead as celebrations unfold at O’Reilly’s restaurant with a joyful wedding to cap off their intertwined stories. The journey of love and loss culminates in a beautifully crafted tale of second chances, where the echoes of the past resonate through the hearts of the living.