Steinesongo Too many fans seem to be blown away

Catangro After playing with our expectations, this turns out to be a very different sort of film.

Sienna-Rose Mclaughlin The movie really just wants to entertain people.

Staci Frederick Blistering performances.

eddie_baggins A poignant and heartfelt drama that uses the backdrop of the Iraq war to tell an affecting story of love, loss and family, Grace is Gone is a highly recommendable film that was underseen upon release in 2007 and is worthy of your time to this day.Featuring one of John Cusack's most effective and nuanced performances, James C. Strouse's debut film is small in scale yet big on heart and harbors a beating heart that'll make viewer's laugh and shed a tear in equal measure.Strouse finds a great tone in the often tricky balance of humour and drama in this film and it's a shame in the meantime since Grace is Gone's muted reception in 2007 that his only developed the little seen The Winning Season and the nice if a little lacking Jemaine Clement star vehicle People Places Things, a film that played well in the festival season last year.Strouse shows a real feel for characters in Grace is Gone and Cusack's Stanley Phillips as well as his two daughters as played by then youngsters Shelan O'Keefe and Gracie Bednarczyk are a family unit we quickly develop feelings towards and their cross country road trip that is acting as an intermediary between Stanley letting his children know about their mother's passing as a servicewomen in Iraq is a lovingly structured one.Front and centre to this journey is Cusack, who playing more vulnerable and inwardly tormented than we've perhaps ever seen him before or since shines as Stanely. He not only looks the part of a man struggling to come to terms with not only losing his wife and best friend but a man that is trying his best to learn how to not only tell his daughters about this tragedy, but learning to in fact talk with them like the parent they will need. It's not a showy turn but it's a quietly devastating one and a reminder as to why at certain stages in his career Cusack has been one of the best performers in Hollywood. Surrounded by the impressive O'Keefe and Bednarczyk as Stanley's daughters, Grace is Gone's cast is a real winner.In many ways slight yet in equal ways important and touching, Grace is Gone is one of the better Iraq war themed films that has been produced and with a great cast, a finely crafted score that was constructed by Clint Eastwood and a story that will resonate with many who watch it, Grace is Gone is the little movie that could and therefore should be watched by all.4 pre-work morning rev ups out of 5

Reno Rangan Like as usual one of the John Cusack's movie that was not widespread among the movie goers. The story of a loving, caring father of two, as well about his dignity. So many movies I'd seen that just deviates slightly from the same storyline and becomes a massive hit, mainly because of the actors or the filmmakers. This one was surprisingly a little fresher from the familiar theme.It was a road-movie-drama which is very much for family audiences. About spending time together and handling grief. A little emotion, a little adventure, a little fun, gives the overall satisfaction of giving a try. I am glad for watching this little movie, which opens about the family value when you miss your loved one under your arm.A very simple and sweet movie, merely one line story that expanded just over a 80 minute long. A fine piece of product for the tearjerker. Everybody was cool in their respective role and so the locations. Lovable movie through your whole heart, and that's exactly what I did, probably you would do the same if you're not those who always try to find flaws and bash it.8/10

Chrysanthepop James C. Strouse both writes and directs this compelling yet subtly told story of coping with grief. When Cusack's widower character receives the devastating news, he's distraught but how's he going to tell the kids? Instead, he takes them to Disneyland while he himself struggles to cope. 'Grace Is Gone' moves at a modest pace and Eastwood's terrific minimal soundtrack accompanies us in Stanley and his daughter's difficult but necessary journey. Political themes are occasionally brought up and Strouse attempts to present a balanced view but he also makes clear that this isn't a political film.John Cusack delivers one of his finest restrained performances. Shélan O'Keefe and Gracie Bednarczyk are superb as the two daughters who are respectively confused and unaware and growing up. Alessandro Nivola does a fine job in a brief role as Stanley's brother (who shares the opposite viewpoint on politics).I liked that here there wasn't a lot of focus on the landscape (not that would have minded that) because Strouse stays focused on the three key characters. Like most road movies, this one too is mainly about searching and discovering but what they find in the end is grace.

Brian Wright Stanley is basically Middle American Man—living in Minnesota, working at a Home Depot surrogate at a lower-management level, high school graduate—who, as many such individuals, believes in his country and its leaders, at least to the extent of believing these leaders when they claim that invading the Middle East is an act of defending America. He signs up for the Marines, meets his wife there, but whereas she is shipped off to join the occupation forces, he is mustered out of the service for bad eyes. He becomes the Mr. Mom, staying home and taking care of the girls; in fact, he's a member of a support group of military spouses the rest of whom are women (which is the basis for one of the more gently humorous scenes in the movie....For my complete review of this movie and for other movie and book reviews, please visit my site TheCoffeeCoaster.com.Brian Wright Copyright 2008