25 YEARS LATER: A CELEBRATION OF THE QUIET DRAMA ‘BOUNCE’

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It’s another movie milestone although this time around the spotlight may be on one that isn’t well loved. This is because we’re looking in on the 25^th anniversary of the dramedy Bounce. A film that seems quite underrated given I rarely see it featured, on this Bounce 25 years later movie anniversary, we’re looking back at a film that I actually did rewatch in anticipation of this milestone. This is perhaps not a big deal, but when I don’t always make time to do this, it seems a little more significant and worth a mention. Before we look at why this one is memorable, let’s remember what its all about.

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25 YEARS LATER: A CELEBRATION OF THE QUIET DRAMA ‘BOUNCE.’ Looking back on the dramedy with #BenAffleck and #GwynethPaltrow. #Romance #Movies Share on X

The film opens in an airport where the lives of three, although most prominently it’s two, strangers collide in such a way that fatally cruelly steps in. During a hectic airport arrival where multiple flights are delayed or cancelled thanks to weather, ad businessman Buddy meets a pretty girl who he doesn’t mind the idea of enjoying a layover with. To their table, they invite Greg, a nice man who is struggling to become a writer. The trio passes time together until Buddy’s flight somehow readies to leave. Deciding to be selfish (because he wants to stay with the pretty lady), Buddy offers his ticket to Greg, after all he has a wife and kids to get back to. Then fate steps in and the flight that has Buddy’s name on its manifest has Greg’s, which means that there needs to be a change in victims made.

This event turns everything upside down for Buddy and the people Greg leaves behind leaving a group of broken people searching for healing, one of whom seeks in the wrong places. As this film is on its twenty-fifth year, I wanted to look back on it and remember some of the reasons why it does deserve a little more cinematic love.

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BOUNCE 25 years later

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THE CAST

I think everyone is good in this cast, but the two leads are who have the most screen time so obviously it’s them that carry the film, so you’d want them to be good. I think they are. Gwyneth Paltrow turns in a stellar performance as a grieving woman. Ben Affleck is also very well cast in the role of a broken leading man and he plays the role well.

THE ENDING

How the script ends this story is nice. It’s complete and is a full circle moment. This said, it also can be the ending the viewer makes of it. If you want one option, the teaser and implication is there. If you like the alternative, it too feels like a possibility.

THE QUIET

Mixed in with the faster pace of storytelling or films, sometimes it’s nice to enjoy something quieter and simpler which is what Bounce is even these 25 years later. Today, stories are certainly different, and sometimes I think them being truly vulnerable is one thing they miss. This one is that and as a result, it’s more about connections and then, facing the aftermath of some distrust, rather than any kind of “next big” moment. Of course, there is a sense of dread to an extent because we know that these two have to “break,” but the film is still a nice change of pace if stories that move fast aren’t your cup of tea.

THE TIMELINE

This may seem insignificant, but I do really like the timeline of this one. It’s healthy for the fans to know (even if we don’t see it all) that significant time is passing but more importantly, it’s good for the characters. They need this distance and space before the next phase of their respective lives begins. It also helps in the relationship too because there needs to be some sense of healing without the reliance of the other person.

Digitally purchase, at publication, Bounce on places like Prime Video

Photos: Alamy

Do you like this one? Or are you one of the people who rate this one low? What do you like (or loathe) about Bounce these 25 years later? Let’s hear all of your thoughts down below in the comment section!

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