Grace (2009/III)

User Rating:

5.7/10   

Director:

Paul Solet

Writer:

Paul Solet (screenplay)

Release Date:

7 November 2009 (Spain)

Genre:

Drama | Horror | Thriller

Tagline:

Love... Undying.

Plot:

After losing her unborn child, Madeline Matheson insists on carrying the baby to term. Following the delivery, the child miraculously returns to life with an appetite for human blood. Madeline is faced with a mother's ultimate decision.

Plot Keywords:

Baby | Unborn | Corpse | Blood | Assistant

Awards:

2 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Jordan Ladd	...	Madeline Matheson
Stephen Park	...	Michael Matheson
Gabrielle Rose	...	Vivian Matheson
Serge Houde	...	Henry Matheson
Samantha Ferris	...	Patricia Lang
Kate Herriot	...	Shelly
Troy Skog	...	ER Doctor
Malcolm Stewart	...	Dr. Richard Sohn
Jeff Stone	...	ER Nurse
Jamie Stephenson	...	Skinny Clerk
Tenai Cam Measmer	...	Grace as an Infant
Annabel Kathlynn Bast	...	Grace as an Infant
Chris Cunningham	...	Lab Technician
Karen Von Staden	...	Dr. Sohn's Secretary (as Karen von Staden)
Mark Claxton	...	Veterinarian

MPAA:

Rated R for bloody images, violence and some sexual content.

Runtime:

USA:85 min (Sundance Film Festival)

Country:

USA | Canada

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Filming Locations:

Saskatchewan, Canada

Company:

ArieScope Pictures

Trivia:

Turned into a feature after Paul Solet's 2006 short film of the same name (starring Brian Austin Green and Liza Weil) generated positive buzz and awards.

Goofs:

Continuity: In one of the final scenes, Vivan hits Madeline in the forehead with a hammer. Madeline is seen on the floor with a cut over her right eye, with a fair amount of blood. Vivan then leans towards her to see if she is alright, but there is no more blood on her forehead. When Madeline bites Vivian, the blood returns.

Quotes:

Madeline Matheson: She's teething.

Movie Connections:

Version of Grace (2006/II)

Sick, Demented, Awesome

It's been a while that a movie has moved me to the point of writing a review about it.

Most horror movies tend to be long-winded and boring. What I mean by that is - a majority could be made into 30-60 minute short stories and still maintain their level of creativity and intensity. Most directors tend to drop the ball in the final act of the movie. It's simply a part of the genre - you can only see so many grotesque situations before they become redundant, and most of the story lines have been done before.

"Grace", however, is in a class all on its own. The symbolism and message of the movie is subtle, though there are times of glaring irony that force the viewer to do a double-take. I felt like the director was spot-on in not only creating the atmosphere, but even utilizing the sometimes over-exaggerated sounds to get a message across to the viewers.

The story itself is fantastic. Though the idea has been played around with here and there in other movies, the depth and execution in this particular flick was astonishing and well pulled off. The main characters are spot on. There is enough "gore" to perpetuate the idea that this is still a horror movie, but nowhere near the amount for an overkill. The topic itself is serious but disturbing, and though a large part of the movie lacks any overall logical explanation - the mere thought that it was a possibility is enough for any of us that are parents to squirm in our seats.

I'd highly recommend this movie to horror enthusiasts. Though I'm quite certain it's message and it's delivery will be lost amongst masses of hack-and-slash horror lovers, there is no doubt that "Grace" will go down as a cult classic.