Bounce MPAA Rating: PG-13 Entertainment: +2 1/2 Content: -1

Womanizer and advertising executive Buddy Amaral (Ben Affleck) and Greg Janello (Tony Goldwyn) meet in Chicago's O'Hare airport during a snowstorm, waiting for a flight to Los Angeles. When Buddy sees an opportunity to score with beautiful Mimi Praeger (Natasha Henstridge), also stuck at the airport, he gives his ticket to family man Greg. But Greg dies when the plane crashes, and Buddy drowns his guilt feelings in alcohol. After a year of drying out in rehab, he decides to find out how Greg's widow, Abby (Gwyneth Paltrow), is coping. Appearing to meet her by chance, Buddy befriends Abby who is struggling to support two small children as a realtor. Soon the two fall in love, but Buddy is afraid to tell Abby about his role in Greg's death, and Abby presents herself as divorced so Buddy won't feel sorry for her. BOUNCE tells a charming love story with enough humor to lighten a tragic situation. Women, and couples looking for a good date movie, will particularly enjoy this film romance.

Abby's grieving for Greg includes equal parts of anger and guilt. She lives in denial, refusing to accept her husband's death. At an awards banquet, a drunk Buddy paints an ugly picture of how destructive alcohol abuse can be. His business partner insists Buddy check into a rehab hospital, but once released, Buddy cannot stay on the Christian-based AA program because he rejects God. A recovering alcoholic in Buddy's office, quietly helps his boss conquer his drinking problem. It's too bad Buddy sees no reason to help him deal with his homosexual lifestyle, which is treated as a non-issue. As Buddys alcoholism slowly fades, he begins to accept responsibility for his past arrogance and shallowness. The night Buddy spends with Mimi shows the two in bed with sex implied, and it is clear he never intends to see her again. The tender bedroom scene with Abby reflects a sharp contrast to Buddys earlier attitude, but the film implies sex outside of marriage is acceptable. Gratuitous foul language, including 10 obscenities and five regular profanities, further sullies the film. For discerning viewers, BOUNCE springs out of bounds.

Preview Reviewer: Mary Draughon
Distributor: Miramax, 375 Greenwich, New York, NY 10013