Disturbing and yet inspirational, the movie Saving Grace B. Jones creates a compelling story of decisions and reconciliation. Based on true events the film starts with a very uplifting story then turns sour as we get to the meat of it. It’s very well acted, discovers new faces and the direction by Connie Stevens is faultless. Now on DVD for the first time since its theatrical release in 2009, it’s a winner in your home theater.
The film starts out in 1951 Brooklyn, NY with 11-year-old Carrie (Rylee Fansler) leaving a movie theater and getting onto a bus for her ride home. It’s her first introduction to adulthood when she witnesses a murder from the window of the bus. Being a young girl in a changing America, her father feels she should grow up in a safer place so he sends her to her uncle in Boonville, Missouri. It’s an exciting time for young Carrie because she gets to meet her 12-year-old cousin Lucy (Evie Thompson) with her friends Molly (Nora Hennessy) and Opal Carter (Liberty Smith) who live close by. The foursome become inseparable and life seems to stand still among a gorgeous landscape in the heart of the homeland.
But, things start to get a little off kilter when her Uncle Landy (Michael Biehn) and Aunt Bea (Penelope Ann Miller) bring her Aunt Grace (Tatum O’Neal) home from the Insane Asylum. She has spent years penned up trying to recover from an accident on her wedding day that caused psychological damage. Feeling she should be brought back to her homestead where she can fit back into society, her brother gives her a room in the household and Grace gets welcomed home by the community. It’s both uplifting and yet rendering for Grace, but everything looks like a story out of a picturesque novel.
When the rains in the area start to cause the Missouri river to overflow things start to take a downward spiral for all the characters involved in the story. Director Connie Stevens sets up her audience with a first half perfect picture. It’s the Midwest with all its glory in a bountiful town that’s far from the squalor and danger of the inner city for Carrie and Stevens shows a wonderful portrait of the young girl having the time of her life. So enjoyable to watch, the movie fills the soul with sweet tears for this family that has brought two people from disturbing situations and gives them a new beginning.
The film is an extremely difficult one to direct, especially the second half, but Stevens takes hold of the reigns and puts it on track for the horror that comes from a soulful tragedy that spreads to unspeakable events. Floods, death and madness twist her story into a heartrending movie that gives lasting effect way after if finishes on your home screen.
The acting by four wonderful young girls puts this film in perspective bringing a cheerful photograph of Heartland America. Upcoming actresses Rylee Fansler, Evie Thompson, Nora Hennessy and Liberty Smith provide excellent performances as the girls who see America through the eyes of innocence and unfettered by discrimination. They breathe fresh air into a time when there wasn’t a care in the world in mid-America and set up a conclusion that punctuates the opposite.
In lead roles Michael Biehn, Penelope Ann Miller and Tatum O’Neal put on a remarkable show taking their characters from impervious to anguish. Biehn’s character has the most presence in the small town being a baker. He’s very thoughtful, kind and will bend over backwards for most anyone. When the man finds his back to the wall he’s still not thinking of himself, but must make decisions based on a bad situation. His character weighs the most on the other characters especially for his sister Grace.
Penelope Ann Miller is still as gorgeous as ever and her presence on the screen glows with every scene in which she plays a part. In love with life her Bea does all she can to make everyone feel wanted, even her sister-in-law who has invaded her household after such a long absence. Putting others first, especially the children, Bea’s the typical homemaker with family at heart. When she suffers a tragic loss, Miller takes her character to another place and darker than ever.
In a very poignant role, Tatum O’Neal probably gives her best performance ever. Here she has to go from doubt to gratitude and back again during her lengthy role as the insane woman who tries to start over again. She has to be the catalyst throughout the whole film and she nails it. When she starts to become unhinged O’Neal depicts a woman out of control.
Saving Grace B. Jones has been rated R by the MPAA for some violent content and brief sexuality. Although there are young children acting in roles, please be cautious when deciding to allow immature children see the film as it does have some scenes that are inappropriate for adolescents.
Although I accepted the conclusion to the film, you may think otherwise. I would like to hear your comments on this very compelling film. You can contact me on twitter @staragent1.
Specifications and additional film information:
Cast: Michael Biehn, Penelope Ann Miller, Tatum O’Neal, Rylee Fansler, Evie Thompson, Nora Hennessy, Liberty Smith
Director: Connie Stevens
MPAA Rating: R for some violent content and brief sexuality.
Genre: Drama, Thriller
Running Time: 1 hr 46 min
Video Release Date: May 27, 2014
Language: English
Format: DVD
Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1
Video: Widescreen, 16×9 televisions, Aspect Ratio 1.78:1
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
