Watch Grace Is Gone For Free

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Absolutely Fantastic

Absolutely brilliant

Clever, believable, and super fun to watch. It totally has replay value.

Many reviewers gushed about how this movie is a wonderful drama about coping after a loss. Sure it is, but that's not the point of the movie. It was clear when watching this film that it was one thing only: preachy propaganda. Now, I'm not judging the message of the preachy propaganda, just pointing out what this film is: One strong, loud message, which is so blaring that it scared people away from the box office. It wasn't an emotional fiction, it was 100% political commentary, and moviegoers can smell that a mile away and they usually don't like that. They want entertainment, not a sermon. Not only that, I further submit that John Cusak is an extremely intelligent person and knows exactly what he was doing by agreeing to take on this project. He knew the movie wouldn't do financially well but the message probably spoke to his beliefs. It's not an anti-war message in the literal sense. The point isn't "War is Bad." It's more of an anti-Bush's stupid notion to go into Iraq itself. It's mostly critiquing Bush's main reason of going into Iraq, namely "Ahm a war prezidunt." Most Americans realize now that Bush wanted to go into Iraq, Iran, Syria, and North Korea for a campaign against evil without 1) understanding the true consequences of attempting it and 2) without the determination to stay hard when things get messy, which things did, which is why he never made it past Iraq. This movie's message is: "Hey, future presidential leaders! Please realize that when you make some tossed-out decision about "gowin' tawore" that you're sending real actual men and women who have lives, who have families, and there will be huge repercussions for each loss, every victim is a major tragedy, not just 'Oh, cool, we only lost 4 this week.'" I think the writer of this movie felt that this message was a necessary one to reach the hearts of every American because he probably believed that the Iraq war was a half-thought out plan that Bush decided on just because he felt like it. To make my theory more obvious, they even had a scene where Cheney or Rumsfeld or whomever was saying the rhetoric of 'if we don't continue our aggression it will be seen as a sign of weakness.' Liberals HATE that line of reasoning, which is why it's in here, to have viewers scream "That's why soldiers are dying?!" So, where do I stand? I definitely agree with the message of the film but at the same time, I had no idea I was signing up to join a rally for 90 minutes in watching a movie. The obviousness of the film's message was a bit eye rolling, that's all. And it therefore seems like a project or an after-school special for adults that only reached a handful of US audiences. I guess it's good to have it out there for the record. Perhaps it can even be shown in schools. Great, stellar acting by all, for what it's worth.

***SPOILERS*** Deeply moving film about coping with a tragic death and how it effects the person who's trying to keep it from his two young daughters knowing quite well he can't keep it from them forever. It's when local Home Depot manager Stan Phillips, John Cusack,got the news that his wife Grace, Dana Lynne Gihooley, was killed in action in Iraq that his entire world turned upside down. With him now having to deal with Grace never coming home he has to find a way to tell his and Garce's two young daughters Heidi & Dawn, Shelan O'Keefe & Gracie Bednarezyk, the terrible news about their mom's passing. Not quite knowing what to do Stan decides to take the two girls on a trip from their home in suburban Minnesota to Florida to where they alway wanted to visit the state's "Enchanted Gardens".On his trip south Stan stops off at his grandma's place only to find his homeless and unemployed good for nothing brother John, Alessandro Nivola, sleeping there. It's during a heated conversation with John,with both Heidi & Dawn not present, Stan tells him that his wife Grace was killed in Iraq. John a lifelong pacifist who, like what turned out to be the majority of Americans. was totally against the war changed his opinion about it. In him knowing that Stan can't accept that his wife Grace died for a not a noble and righteous cause. Not as Stan believes in order for Grace to protect her country and family from a foreign invader.It's later that Heidi starts to put the pieces together in realizing her dad's very strange behavior. Why is he acting so out of character and what's with this calling her mom and Stan's wife Grace at home in Minnesota and leaving long and & rambling massages while she's supposed to be some 8,000 miles away in far off Iarq! Has her dad suddenly gone off his rocker or is he hiding something from both her and her kid sister Dawn? ****SPOILERS*** In the end after finally getting to visit Florida's "Enchanted Gardens" Stan decides that he has to tell his girls the truth that he's been keeping from them all this time. And he does it in a very touching way siting by the shore with no audio but music showing how both Heidi, who may have already known, and Dawn reacting to he news. It was evadable for Stan to come clean and tell his daughters the truth in what happened to their mom but as it turned out they took it a lot better then he did. But they did get a chance to visit the "Enchanted Gardens" that in some way took most of the sting out of it!

The most moving story I have ever came across. Very sad, and loving, a story that shows the love that a father and his daughters can have even in the worst of times. A negative aspect is that the story is very long and over exaggerated. The movie tells how the father takes his daughters to Disney world and they go to a hotel and the next day they spend the whole day going on rollercoasters. These parts are basically just fluff in the movie. I can watch the last 10 minutes of the movie and understand the whole plot. However, it shows us life and love in all ways, a father to his daughter, a husband to a wife, daughters to their mother, etc. This movie is perfect to watch with a family, it'll bring a few tears out of everyone and bring everyone even closer together than before.

First and foremost..the reason why I'm entitling this comment as You must watch it for yourself...is plain and simple.My mum saw this movie before I did..She didn't say it was a good movie or anything like that..she just told me the general background of the story..and honestly it did sound dull..But i did decide to pop the DVD in to watch it,without any prejudgment based on mum's comment..and boy was I shocked,and i just saw "the Boy in the striped pajamas" just a couple of days back which to me was an instant 10/10 from start to finish..anyway..back to grace is gone..I think the writer did an excellent job..I actually thought "Grace" was gone when the movie started itself,especially with the scene with John Cusack's character Stanley was in a support group meeting and his daughter viewing CNN (or some other news channel) broadcasting the events in Iraq; but boy,was I in for a surprise(shock),when the two officers came knocking on Stanley's door..John Cusack was brilliantly casted for this role..the only serious role I saw him was in "Con Air" and that was action based.but this time he's like in a full fledged dramatic role.and the supporting cast,especially his daughters.They were brilliantly casted as well.Marisa Tomei was not even captured by my viewing(The woman at the poolside)..But i guessed the scene was cut for general viewing.Nevertheless,Cusack and his supporting "daughters" as well as "brother" did an extraordinary job.No doubt about that.The scene locations were just perfectly handpicked and the music originally composed for the movie?Superb..Like other viewers I was also shocked to know the man behind it was Clint Eastwood..Such a talent super powerhouse.IS there anything that he CAN'T do?Seriously.Jamie Cullum was also the perfect man to provide the lead vocal accompaniment to "Grace is Gone".I just hope more people watch this gem of a motion picture.And I hope that when i go back to this page,it will be at least a 9/10 on average,to me this motion picture deserves a downright 10/10.Really can't find any flaws..Just divine perfection..If any of the cast or crew happen to stumble upon my review,you should feel very honored in being part of this success of a project.I'm certainly honored to have seen your work.10/10