James C. Strouse's Grace Is Gone
John Cusack, Shélan O'Keefe, Gracie Bednarczyk, Iraq War Film
A father has to tell his daughters their mother was killed in Iraq. Trapped in denial, he takes them on one last roadtrip.
Grace Is Gone stars John Cusack in a very unusual role for the comedic actor. Despite the film's serious subject matter, it is neither sentimental nor saccharine and is one of the most moving films about the Iraq war to date. So many documentaries have come and gone; this is a refreshing narrative that puts a pro-war father in the spotlight when his wife dies in the line of duty and he finds himself unable to tell their two young daughters.
Introducing the Main Characters
The film sets up what appears to be a borderline-stereotypical conservative household; Stanley Phillips (Cusack), a manager of The Home Store, has a very authoritative rule in his household over his two daughters Heidi (Shelan O'Keefe) and Dawn (Gracie Bednarczyk). He won't allow them to watch news reports on the war, makes himself unavailable for discussion, and rather than let his daughters speak or argue for their side of any story, offers only his absolute ruling on an issue. Approximately fifteen minutes in, however, everything changes. Phillips gets the news that his wife has died.
Embracing Denial
Seemingly in a trance of denial, upon his daughters' return home from school, he randomly offers to take them out for dinner. En route to go "wherever they want to go," the youngest daughter Dawn suggests Enchanted Gardens--an amusement park in Florida. Even though they had been discussing local destinations, Phillips embraces the concept and they whimsically begin a road trip. Needless to say, these out-of-character moves alarm his older daughter Heidi (who knows better than to ask), but whose suspicion has already been aroused. However, the transformation Phillips undergoes while on the roadtrip makes for a more than interesting journey.
Strong Acting, Moving Story
The film is undoubtedly a very strong performance from all three leads, particularly John Cusack. Usually an actor worth watching regardless of the material, it has been a while since Cusack appeared in a worthy script. His character's reactions are so strong they divide the audience; some find his course of action completely unrealistic, while others (typically those closer to events in the film) can understand where Phillips' irrationality is coming from. Though the character goes through a drastic change from beginning to end, it's a transformation one can easily appreciate, given the circumstances. As the journey progresses, so does Phillips become more natural and more receptive to his daughters' hardships.
It's hard to argue this film is not political, but unlike so many anti-war documentaries, Grace is shown from the perspective of those who devoutly serve without question. It does not preach nor does it fill its time with transparent monologues. It merely follows a family along a whimsical, if ill-fated journey, and though it undoubtedly has sad news to deliver, it does not preach. It does, however, favor asking questions and it encourages intelligent discussion.
