Review of Grace Is Gone (2007) by Chandler B — 16 Mar 2009
Do you like small, moving films about human topics with good acting? Then Grace Is Gone is for you. The synopsis above doesn't do the throughline of the film justice. This portayal of a man struggling to find the courage to relate the worst news imaginable to his daughters is about more than making it easy.
He finds himself suddenly aware that he does not have an emotional relationship with his children. How then can he begin to have one with them by telling them their mother is dead? (Don't worry, you haven't been spoiled, you learn this in the first couple minutes of the film.
) The answer is that he can't and he embarks on a journey to find the courage and ultimately to find himself as a real father and not just a breadwinner and disciplinarian. Grace is Gone is not perfect.
Rarely do you find yourself saying "this film could have been longer" but this one could. Cusack's performance is great but after you've wiped away several ounces of tears you do wonder if the arc his character takes is believeable, given how far he comes.
And yet, the simplicity of this 90 minute tear jerker will grab you. Wonderful use of children in the film as well with no over acting, exceedngly natural dialogue and overall great performances by both girls.
Add to your Netflix/Blockbuster queue and grab a box of tissue.
This review of Grace Is Gone (2007) was written by Chandler B on 16 Mar 2009.
Grace Is Gone has generally received positive reviews.
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