Grace is Gone
There was a time when Stanley Phillips (John Cusack) could see his entire life clearly. He dreamed of patriotic service and was destined for a military career. He came close to that dream until it was cut short simply because of his poor eyesight. Now he's serving customers at a home supply store while his Sergeant wife is fighting in Iraq.
Equally as awkward at home as he is at work, he's raising Heidi, their 12-year-old daughter and her eight-year-old sister Dawn. Although a loving father, Stanley is unable to conform to a more affectionate role and the girls miss their mother deeply.
While tolerating his job and stumbling through parenting he is abruptly awakened when tragedy strikes. Ill prepared to deal with it himself, he is at a complete loss contemplating how to tell his children. Desperate to delay telling the children they embark on a spontaneous road trip and grasping to give them their last moments of innocence, Stanley reveals a softer side as they travel to Dawn's chosen destination—Enchanted Gardens Theme Park.
The farther they drive, the closer they become, yet Stanley knows he must face the inevitable task of changing their lives forever.
Member Reviews
A Gem! - crazyboutmovies
John Cusack gives a moving, deeply felt and deeply affecting performance in this movie. Stanley Phillips journey with his daughters is a voyage of discovery, not just between father and daughters, but for Stanley himself as well.
It was a nice surprise at the end to see that Clint Eastwood composed the title song for the movie.
A very moving story that needs to be told.Great Performance...Mediocre film - ABC99
John Cusack excels at playing charming bright and hip characters. That is why it is such a shock to see him playing an conservative everyman dealing with the aftermath of his wife's death while off at war. While the central performance is quite strong the film is middling, and unremarkable. While this could be tense, or sharp, or devestating it just kind of moves on. It doesn't help that the central conflich is inevitiably going to be resolved in the final moments making the journey seem longer than it is. What you are left with is Cusack's very strong turn and the rest is a mediocre drama.This is a story that needs to be told... but not this way - genebean
John Cusack is a great actor, and this story had a lot of potential, but I was quite disappointed at how it was played out. Just as the relationships were starting to get real (calling home to hear the answering machine message just to hear the voice) the dialogue (or lack thereof) gets in the way.
I wouldn't bother with this one.
Member Reviews
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A Gem! - crazyboutmovies
John Cusack gives a moving, deeply felt and deeply affecting performance in this movie. Stanley Phillips journey with his daughters is a voyage of discovery, not just between father and daughters, but for Stanley himself as well.
It was a nice surprise ...Great Performance...Mediocre film - ABC99
John Cusack excels at playing charming bright and hip characters. That is why it is such a shock to see him playing an conservative everyman dealing with the aftermath of his wife's death while off at war. While the central performance is quite strong the ...This is a story that needs to be told... but not this way - genebean
John Cusack is a great actor, and this story had a lot of potential, but I was quite disappointed at how it was played out. Just as the relationships were starting to get real (calling home to hear the answering machine message just to hear the voice) the ...