`Bounce' showcases its stars' romantic chemistry
By CASEY K. McCLUSKEY
Scene Movie Critic
Are they or aren't they? That is the question that has long surrounded director Don Roos' newest film, "Bounce," because of its two leading actors. Everyone wants to know the real deal between Gwyneth Paltrow and Ben Affleck. Are they together or have they broken up?
Because of all the rumors, "Bounce" has been a highly anticipated film. Although Affleck and Paltrow deny they are in a relationship, there is still a lot of chemistry between the two.
Affleck plays Buddy Amaral, an advertising executive who loves to close big deals. On one business trip, Buddy gets delayed at the Chicago O'Hare Airport because of weather and relaxes in a bar with other passengers. Buddy meets Greg Janello (Tony Goldwyn, "Ghost") and learns all about his wife and two boys.
When Buddy learns that he is on the last flight out and Greg's flight has been bumped, Buddy gives Greg his plane ticket so he can get home to his kids. That last flight is ill fated, however, and crashes, killing all of the passengers aboard. Buddy is filled with so much guilt for not being on that flight that he stops going to work, giving him more time to drink.
Buddy hits rock bottom and decides he has to get back on track. To accomplish this he needs to make peace with himself about the crash. He decides to go check up on Greg's wife and kids to make sure they are okay.
When Buddy meets Greg's widowed wife, Abby (Paltrow), the audience is able to see the chemistry between these two immediately, although the characters do not feel it right away. It is because of this chemistry that "Bounce" is so good. There is real depth in the acting because of how comfortable these two are with each other. They challenge each other to be real and are immensely successful.
Affleck is very impressive and convincing in this role, proving that he can actually act, something he is not always able to do (he has not been this impassioned since "Dogma.") As Buddy, he is raw and full of emotion. The film depends on his character's vulnerability and guilt, and Affleck portrays this well.
Paltrow also shines. Her part may be even more difficult than Affleck's because she has to play a double role. Abby, at the beginning of the film, is a very dependent woman who learns that her husband has died. But she also becomes a woman who is ready to move on with her life. These are two extremely different characters, but Paltrow makes both of them very believable.
Another impressive actor in the film is Johnny Galecki (David from "Roseanne"). He plays Buddy's assistant and is also a recovering alcoholic. Although Buddy is his boss, Galecki's character is not afraid of him. He is a great foil to Buddy and forces him to deal with things instead of refusing to face them.
"Bounce" is successful because it does not get overly sentimental. It is very real and very believable. And although things seem a bit rushed (distributor Miramax forced Roos to shorten the film by about 25 minutes), it still works very well.
--4 out of 5 shamrocks
All Scene Stories for Thursday, November 30, 2000
