Grace is Gone (2007)

“Oh, it’s right there! It’s right there! Oh, my gosh, Dad! Step on it, old man! ” – Dawn

Number of Times Seen – 2 (15 May 2008 and 6 Nov 2015)

Brief Synopsis – A man takes his two daughters on a road trip after he learns that his wife was killed while serving as a soldier in the Middle East.

My Take on it – This is a slow moving movie about coping with loss.

Usually movies dealing with a family member serving overseas is from the viewpoint of the wife who is left as home, but this movie tackles the viewpoint of a husband left at home to care for his two young daughters.

The movie is quite moving and John Cusack is excellent as the grieving husband who doesn’t know how to actually deal with his recent loss.

Shélan O’Keefe and Gracie Bednarczyk are both also great as Cusack’s daughters who realize that something is afoot, but they aren’t sure exactly what is going on.

This movie is relatively short, but it manages to encompass Cusack’s character’s full predicament extremely well.

The scene at the support group at the beginning is really great because it says so much by saying so little.

Bottom Line – Very moving story about dealing with loss. Cusack is excellent in this film where he is mostly unrecognizable as just an average guy.  The two young actresses also are wonderful in their roles as Cusack’s daughters. Recommended!

MovieRob’s Favorite Trivia – First film for which Clint Eastwood composed the score without directing as well. (From IMDB)

Rating – Globe Worthy