Getting Grace [DVD]

Powerful acting and music, set in small town USA. Real life lessons all wrapped up in a complete, Oscar worthy entertaining package that draws you in and does not let go. Even days later...this one lasts! This production is the real deal, emphasizing life and love and friendship. Exactly what we need today and everyday.

Veteran character actor Daniel Roebuck makes a stunning feature directorial debut with Getting Grace. And that's saying something. Not many artists can make a comedy about a girl dying of cancer, yet Roebuck totally pulls it off here. And, of course there are some heavy moments of drama that are tear-worthy here, but the comedic efforts of both Roebuck and his leading lady Madelyn Dundon playing the title character keep you smiling and laughing for the most part. And, what a cast that Roebuck has put together here: Dundon shines in her first feature, but many other veterans of the big and small screen help form this top-notch team. Marsha Dietlein does a fine job, playing Venus, Grace's mother who does her best to love her daughter when she's not drinking to deal with it. Dana Ashbrook, perhaps best known for Twin Peaks, plays Ron a new-age author who takes Grace under his wing and into his heart. But, perhaps the best of the supporting bunch is Duane Whitaker playing Reverend Osburn, a religious man who not only reads the Bible, but also peruses books like The Secret, as well. Seeing Whitaker, who's made a career out of playing heavies and villains - Is there a movie fan on the planet that DOESN'T remember him as Maynard in Pulp Fiction? - excel as the caring and intellectually open Reverend Osburn is refreshing. You can see how much he cares about Grace and in many ways learns from her. But, the same could be said for Roebuck's Bill Jankowski, who has an interesting backstory of his own. I will not have any spoilers here as the film will take you in some different directions, captivating you as you get to know both Grace and Bill and see where their journey leads. Director of Photography Cory Geryak's visuals will stun you and makes the town of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania a character in itself. And, without revealing, the ending has a great payoff. The movie is quite unique in itself - you laugh half the time when you should be crying. But, again, there are moments that will make you tear up. And, in some ways this film reminded me of the Jon Turteltaub film Phenomenon starring John Travolta. Dundon's Grace brings much of the town together in the same way that Travolta's George Malley did. And, as a result, you will be hearing a lot more from Dundon, who has been singled out on the Festival Circuit for her efforts, including Best Actress at the Northeast Film Festival. Not many filmmakers could have pulled this material off, but Roebuck certainly does. For anyone who has a heart, Getting Grace will be for you. And, the DVD has some GREAT EXTRAS, including a documentary, "Making Grace," the filming of Getting Grace; a featurette about the Lehigh Valley Charity Premiere and Director's Commentary from Roebuck himself.