Grace of My Heart

I get the feeling that this was cut quite severely at some stage. It seems that the film wants to dip a toe in as many plots as possible - the romance with the Beatnik, the romance with the Brian Wilson style tortured genius, the older man, the commune phase, etc. Some of these plots could have done with a bit more flesh. But excellent performances all round and a fascinating soundtrack to boot. Well worth a look, but I feel it could have been much more.

I love rock and roll movies set in the 60s, and this is a fun one. Illeana Douglas is wonderful as Edna Buxton/Denise Waverly, and yes, she's only loosely based on Carole King (makes me think a bit of Carly Simon, too, since she's an heiress). I think John Turturro is a hoot as Joel Millner, of course, he's always great. Eric Stoltz and Matt Dillon are impressive, too, although the movie loses some impetus and impact when Denise moves to California with Jay (Dillon's character). Still, it's one of my favorites--I just received my DVD the other day and watched all of the special features that evening. It's a fun (albeit sometimes sad)movie!!!

I rented this movie a couple years ago because I like Illeana Douglas. I ended up buying 20 copies of it to give to friends as gifts for Christmas that year. The story is compelling, the cast is amazing...I can't believe more people don't know about this movie. The original music is great, too. The film moves seamlessly from the fifties through the seventies due in part to the talent of the actors, but also due to the impressive costume and makeup work and the wonderful original music written for each period. Y'know how people often say of good movies, "You'll laugh/You'll cry"? Well this is one of those.

"Grace Of My Heart" is similar to "Valley Of The Dolls" because the characters, in both films, are "loosely based" on actual people showing their rise & fall in show business. Illeana Douglas plays singer/songwriter Edna Buxton who becomes Denise Waverly. She's based on Carol Klein who became Carole King. A New Yorker who churned out hit after hit in the famous Brill Building. Where some of the action in "Grace Of My Heart" also takes place. John Turturro is based on record producer Phil Spector (complete with bad toupee & the wearing of sunglasses indoors). Matt Dillon fronts "The Riptides" (The Beach Boys). "The Luminaires" are based on girl groups like The Shirelles & The Chiffons. Bridget Fonda portrays "teenaged" angst-ridden, big-haired, bubblegum idol & lesbian Kelly Porter. There's no question that she's based on Lesley Gore. Interestingly, Lesley Gore wrote the tune Bridget lip synch's in the film, "My Secret Love" (which is a homage to Lesley's "You Don't Own Me"). The music in this movie is very good & has that 60's, 70's feel to it. I just wish the soundtrack album had included the tunes "Hey There" & "Grace Of My Heart" by Kristen Vigard who did the vocals for Illeana Douglas. If you like nostalgic movies about pop music like "The Idolmaker", "Grease", "That Thing You Do" & "Hairspray" you'll like this too.

Just a reminder, folks, that not all movies are supposed to be, nor do they attempt to be, Oscar-contenders. Some films are merely entertaining. I enjoyed this film for exactly that reason -- ENTERTAINMENT. If a movie makes you laugh or cry, it has accomplished its mission. Great soundtrack too, by the way (which I bought). Oh, and a little note to those of you who are trying (in vain) to be the next Gene Shalit or Roger Ebert: Some of your "reviews" are exasperatingly immature, e.g., "she's ugly." Illeana Douglas is an excellent actress with a unique beauty. I'm guessing the "she's ugly" comments come from a big fan of Baywatch and Pamela Anderson? Since when do a person's physical looks have anything to do with their ability to act?