On Friday, Marcia and I finished watching “Grace is Gone” starring John Cusak, Gracie Bednarczyk, and Shélan O’Keefe.
Here is Amazon.Com’s description:
Unlike previous Iraq War films, the poignant directorial debut from writer James C. Strouse (Lonesome Jim) uses the conflict as starting point rather than subject. Early in the proceedings, Stanley (John Cusack) finds out his wife has been killed in the line of duty. The bespectacled disciplinarian decides not to tell his daughters right away. In his younger days, Stanley tried to serve his country, but poor eyesight dashed that dream, and now he’s a superstore manager. The sort of middle-American conservative rarely seen at the art house, Stanley believes in his president. That doesn’t alleviate his pain. Putting on a brave face, he asks his oblivious girls for their greatest wish. Eight-year-old Dawn (Gracie Bednarczyk) exclaims, “Enchanted Gardens!” With that, they hop in their SUV and drive from Minnesota to the Florida theme park. Twelve-year-old Heidi (Shélan O’Keefe) knows something is wrong–her dad isn’t the spontaneous type–but she doesn’t know what it is. En route, they visit Stanley’s brother, John (Alessandro Nivola), who offers some insight into their bottled-up father. By the end of the trip, Stanley figures out how to break the news, in the process becoming a real parent.
WARNING: This is a sad movie. For those of you that cry at sad movies, you better bring your tissues.
There was one thing I found interesting about the movie is it’s statement. It seemed to play both sides of the stance on the war. Cusack’s character believes what is being done, or at least hopes, that it’s the right thing to do. Yet his brother John is very opposed. However, that’s not the whole story, like the description says. These stances play a very small part of the movie. It’s biggest part is becoming a single parent due to the loss of your spouse, and handling the tragic news.
Cusack showed a real side to life. I think his character is the forgotten part of this war. When we think of soldiers we think of men. But there are many men at home while their wives serve. But it’s more about the typical guy. These days stay-at-home-dad’s are more popular. They are more involved in the raising of the child. But there are still those out there that aren’t accustomed to certain aspects of parenthood, and being thrown into being a single parent has got to be incredibly tough. (Heck, it isn’t easy for ANYONE to be a single parent, but it just seems “acceptable” that women have to handle it.)
It is also a coming together story. Especially between Heidi and her dad. It’s subtle at times, and awkward, like it would really be, but it’s so important to the movie.
No matter your stance on the war, I think a lot of people would find a lot to really like about this movie, even if they need a box of tissues.
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