Back to You and Me (2005) Movie Review

Back to You and Me (2005)   3/53/53/53/53/5


Lisa Hartman and Dale Midkiff in Back to You and Me (2005)

A Fairytale Reunion

When one of her patients passes away Dr. Syd Ludwick (Lisa Hartman - Roses Are for the Rich) decides she needs a break from hospital and her sort of boyfriend Tom (Ken Land), so she takes a trip back to her hometown of Bloomfield for a high school reunion. But returning home stirs up memories and bitterness as things between Syd and he mother Helen (Rue McClanahan - Generation Gap) have not been good since her father passed away. But maybe returning home will bring some joy as her one true love, Gus (Dale Midkiff - Torn Apart), still lives there with his son Jake (Blake Woodruff).

Now it has to be said that "Back to You and Me" is one of the most predictable TV movies I have come across and I have watched more than a few. From the minute Syd returns to Bloomfield everything which happens is seriously signposted. There is the strained relationship which Syd has with her mother ever since her father died, there is Syd's first love of her life, Gus, who lives in town with his son Jake who just happens to be sick and there is Connie who has a thing for Gus. You know by the end of the movie Syd and her mother will have sorted their differences, Syd will find herself back in love with Gus whilst Connie tries to mark her territory with him and of course being a doctor Syd will help Gus's son Jake. It is no spoiler for me to have told you any of this because "Back to You and Me" is that routine.

Rue McClanahan in Back to You and Me (2005)

But being obvious isn't a problem because it means you can just sit back and be entertained by the charming drama. You can be charmed by the fun characters who live in Bloomfield such as Ed who whilst at school was the trouble maker but now is a Church minister and a bit of a match maker. There is the subtle feelings between Syd and Gus which still rumble along played out through little glances and sweet moments such as when Gus drives Syd up to their old secret place by the lake. And whilst there are a couple of moments of minor drama, and I do mean minor, they end up adding to the charm and feel good feeling of "Back to You and Me". Yes it is all unrealistic but it is so pleasant and heart warming that you don't care.

And the reason why you don't care is because of the brilliant casting not just of the central characters but also the supporting ones. Barbara Niven, Larry Manetti, Joel McCrary, Don Harvey and Rue McClanahan all add a little bit of small town humour to proceedings which you know will make you smile when ever they are in a scene. And then there is Lisa Hartman and Dale Midkiff as Syd and Gus who have this really beautiful vibe going on, not so much a spark of romance, but this gentle emotion which presents itself through a smile when they see each other or the fact they can't take their eyes off of each other.

What this all boils down to is that "Back to You and Me" sets out to be a simple, charming, feel good romantic drama and it achieves everything it sets out to do.


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