Last night, some friends and I attended a free screening of The Grace Card that was hosted by Relevant Radio.
You can view the trailer here.
It was showing at a theater across town—the Hinterlands, as far I was concerned!—and I arrived at the 11th hour.
Otherwise known as ten minutes to show time.
Would that make it the 10th hour?
Anyway, because this was a special screening, the movie wasn’t listed on the theater’s marquee. “Oh no!” I thought. “I’ve got the wrong theater!”
And then, “Hee hee hee, I’ll watch The King’s Speech instead.”
(Such are the convoluted thoughts of this ne’er-do-well’s mind.)
It was showing at this theater, though, and I’m glad that I was able to see it.
The reason behind this special screening—and one that I hope you give careful consideration to—is this: If enough of us like the movie and recommend it before opening weekend, it will do well enough to stay in the theaters.
So go. I recommend it.
Here’s a substantial caveat: You must first set aside your snobbish cinema criticisms. This is not a big-budget film. The Grace Card is an independent Christian movie, done in the vein of Fireproof and Facing the Giants, and yet for every cheesy moment (and there are a couple) there are many tear-stained scenes.
And Louis Gossett Jr.
If nothing else, go for Louis Gossett Jr.!
Yes, the movie is a bit predictable. Go anyway. Yes, there is violence and sadness and loss. Go anyway, and thank God for the goodness that’s in your life. You will feel, perhaps, a bit manipulated…but you will also gasp and cry and laugh and wonder.
It is good for us to feel these emotions and know that when—and if—we do, we fall to our knees and we call on God.
Updated to Add: Thank you, Michael Higgenbottom, for leaving a comment! I loved your character—loved him, loved him, loved him.
Thanks Margaret! My name is Michael Higgenbottom. I play the character Sam Wright in the movie.
I didn't like Fireproof OR Face the Giants because of their cheesiness. But you know what I loved? Sandra Bullock in The Blind Side. I've not seen very many movies that Christian. And I don't think Christianity was even mentioned, except for being in a prayer group with the district attorney. 🙂
Hi Margaret,
Thought I saw you and some friends in the row in front of me. Ok, I KNEW I saw you. (Mentioned as much to my dh – he had no clue who you were – alas, the poor man has no time for blogs) I had been wondering what your opinion of the film was.
I liked it, I laughed, I cried. Yes, certain things were predictable and some were cheesy, but all in all it was good. I did ask my dh who the stalker was when "Mac" was watering the landscaping? My dh's answer would twisted the plot a little differently.
I too liked Michael Higgenbottom's character.
BTW, although I'm terrible at chapter & verse, I did say there were 73 books in the Catholic Bible. I, however, am not loud enough. Which is ok, I'm not (gasp!) a coffee drinker.
Forgot to say, I think it's funny that you (a Dakota gal) think of THAT city as the "Hinterlands". I grew up not too far from there and that was the family's shopping mall, I even worked there during High School.
Sounds like a great movie!!
We'll have to look for it!
*probably won't be in our small town…
This is the second recommendation I have gotten to see this movie. I really hope to make time to do so soon.
Hope all is well with you and your family.
Blessings!
Just saw this with my husband tonight – and LOVED IT!! Thank you so much for your review. I wasn't really interested in seeing it – until I read your review. THANK YOU!!! I'm now e-mailing everyone in my contact list to go see it. What an awesome movie!!