BOUNCE

US, 2000, 108 minutes, Colour.
Ben Affleck,Gwyneth Paltrow, Joe Morton, Tony Goldwyn, Jennifer Grey, Caroline Aaron, David Dorfman, Alex D. Linz., Johnny Galecki.
Directed by Don Roos.


They still make romantic dramas. Advertising executive Ben Affleck is stranded in Chicago by snow, then gives up his ticket to a chance acquaintance. When the plane crashes, he is riddled with guilt and goes on alcoholic binges. Later, he tracks down the widow, wanting to give her some business to help her with her family.

Yes, you've guessed what happens (more or less). If only men would tell the truth straightaway, life's dramas would be different and less hurtful. The widow is played by Gwyneth Paltrow, so this is a classy, if familiar, new-fashioned old-fashioned romance.


1. An old style romance? 21st century style? Issues, characters, situations?

2. Chicago airport, LA X, Los Angeles settings, the world of advertising, real estate, television awards, restaurants, offices? Palm Springs? The coast on the beach? Realism? The musical score?

3. The title, Abby’s mother and urging people to bounce back after grief? Easy to say, not in practice?

4. The opening at the airport, the snow, closing the airport, the single flight to Los Angeles, issues of fate, destiny, consequences and effects?

5. Buddy at the airport, his personal style, self-centred, drinking, mocking Greg and the play’s failure, in the video? With Greg, anxious, ringing home, concerned about his wife, the failure of the play? Mimi and her kindness about the play? Buddy giving him the ticket, his decision to go? The airport official, the past friendship with Buddy, letting Greg through?

6. The crash, the effect? Buddy’s arrival, with Jim, his guilt, drinking, the campaign and the meetings, the airline companiy’s apologies, stories of those who died? Buddy and his cynical attitudes? The awards, winning, his speech, drunk, behaviour? The reaction of Jim and the officials?

7. His going to Palm Springs, AA, his return, his assistant, commenting on his behaviour, work, gay? The cracks? Buddy becoming involved in work again, the campaigns?

8. Abby, worried about her husband and the plane, watching the television, with her mother, the boys? The messengers coming to the door, the news, her grief? Not accepting his death, pretending she was divorced? Referring to him as her ex and yet the loving words? Her real estate work, the office, Buddy coming to see her, their talking, his lies, the cup of coffee?

9. Buddy and he is getting her to manage the sale, the paperwork, Jim visiting the office, the deal, her ideas about payment, her gratitude?

10. Buddy, meeting Abby again, the phone calls, the dates, with the boys, their hesitation? The kiss? Going to Palm Springs, the water tunnel with the boys, bonding with them? The sexual encounter? Abby telling the truth about her marriage, love Greg? Buddy about to tell the truth but not doing it?

11. His assistant, not holding the calls, fostering the relationship?

12. The effect on Buddy, happy, not drinking?

13. Mimi’s arrival, giving the video to Abby, the effect, Buddy’s arrival, the boys and the video, Abby very angry, yet wanting him to say goodbye to the boys that they would not have another loss?

14. The trial, Jim and his persuading Buddy as to what he should say, not say? The account of the trip, the deceit, in court? Buddy changing, telling the story? Apologising? Abby watching? Her mother?

15. Abby and her concern about her relationship with Buddy, the consequence of Greg dying?

16. Buddy selling the house, the apology, Abby’s visit, asking her to help with the sale? The bond between them? Happy ending?