Review of The Grace Card (2011) by Steven S — 26 Feb 2011

This is a fantastic faith-based film set in Memphis, TN centering around the family lives of two cops with polar opposite backgrounds and personalities. Comedian Michael Joiner gives a stirring performance worthy of a Golden Globe as "Mac", the bitter and angry cop who's poorly dealt with the death of his first son--17 years prior--and alienated himself from his surviving son--now a high school senior.

Mac is passed over for promotion while being partnered with a younger black cop who receives the promotion Mac figures he was due. Mac's resentment and blame are racially charged while his partner, also a church pastor, struggles to follow God's call to love his brother as he asks of his parishioners through his sermons. A not so obvious twist breaks Mac to the core causing his partner to question God's calling in his own life.

Ultimately, "The Grace Card" is a story of redemption and forgiveness. But this is not a children's Sunday School film. (Rated PG13) Rather, it is a compelling story with a non-sugarcoated script, hard hitting subject matters and stunts too. (Man, I love a good action flick.) This movie has the action and the biblical basis of forgiveness that wraps this story into a relevant and entertaining message for our world today.