 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Grace Is Gone
- Review Date: May 26, 2008
- PG-13
- Genre: Drama
- 2007
Common Sense Media says
Sad drama about loss may be too heavy for kids.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that kids and teens may have a hard time processing some of this somber indie drama's mature themes, notably war and the death of a parent. The characters swear on occasion, a 12-year-old girl smokes and acts out in other ways (though mostly fairly tamely), and a grown-up suffers a near-emotional breakdown. Nevertheless, the movie has a soft center, empathizing with the experiences of a father and his two daughters as they deal with the terror that comes with knowing their loved one is on the front lines.
What's the story?
GRACE IS GONE tells the story of father Stanley Phillips (John Cusack),who faces the heart-wrenching task of informing his two young daughters, Heidi (Shélan O'Keefe) and Dawn (Gracie Bednarczyk), that their soldier mother has been killed in Iraq. Winner of the Dramatic Audience Award at Sundance 2007, this film is a far cry from typical Hollywood war movies, where the battlefields take center stage. This time, those left behind are the ones whose experiences are in the spotlight.
Is it any good?
For the most part, director/screenwriter James C. Strouse manages to convey the family's grief in an admirably understated way, and Cusack is very believable as a father. That said, did Stanley have to be such a schlub? Everything from his facial expressions to his shuffling gait spells defeated -- so much so that viewers feel they're dragging, too.
The film starts clumsily, not quite finding its footing in the first half. Humorous early scenes, as when Stanley attends a support group for soldiers' wives, seem forced. But thank goodness for the children, who are clearly and genuinely talented. Soon after the film begins, you lose track of the fact that they're actors. Instead, your heart aches for them and the thought that they, real characters or not, won't grow up with their mother.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about how the media typically depicts war and its consequences. How is this film different from other movies about war? What are the experiences of families who go through this type of tragedy? Why do you think Stanley can't tell his daughters the truth right away? Also, what is the effect of never having Grace show up on camera? Is the film more or less effective for her absence?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
Its great if you don't mind the language other than that you'll love it!
I liked this movie because of its story. It was very touching and sad.It has a scene where (john cusack) the dad finds his daughter smoking a cigarette. Latter he buys a box of them and then trys to make her not like them. 2 uses of f*ck, 1 of g**d*mn, close to 3 uses of h*ll, sh*t, and a few other milder slang words. No violence but very emotional and stirring.
Was this review useful?
|
|
| Studio: | Plum Pictures |
| Director: | James C. Strouse |
| Cast: | Gracie Bednarczyk, John Cusack, Shelan O'Keefe |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Run time: | 85 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | December 7, 2007 |
| DVD release date: | May 27, 2008 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | thematic material, brief strong language and teen smoking. |
Review It
Video review
Great alternatives handpicked by our editors
Already seen it? What do you think?
More from Common Sense Media
Top advice and articles
