Opiniones de usuarios

It was better than I thought. Whenever I want to watch a movie I always check with IMDb before I watch it because 98% of the time they are right. In this case they were wrong. IMDb gave this movie 4.6 out of 10 stars. I gave it 7 stars. As a Christian I thought the message in this movie was very powerful, for anyone. If you're a person who cries at tear jerker movies, this one just might make you cry. I recommend this movie to everyone. The acting in this movie, except for Louis Gossett Jr, was kind of amateur, but that didn't hurt this film. This would definitely be a good movie for the whole family to sit around and see on a nice quiet evening. This movie is a must see. Now it's rare that my wife and I agree on what's a good movie and what isn't a good movie, but we both agreed that this one was good.

I knew nothing about the movie before seeing it, except I heard a brief rave on Christian radio so I was inclined to go. Even though I am giving this film a 6 out of 10, I was touched and moved by several scenes. The low score is due to the heavy handed feel of the film, and the choppy editing that made the acting seem worse than it was. My wife thought the acting was amateurish, but I think bad directing, editing and camera work made their acting seem worse than it was.

Michael Joiner's character, Bill McDonald, was unrealistically morose. He blames himself for the death of his first child and resents the second child who lives 17 years later. I blame the director for the character' unrealistic grief. I think it would have been more realistic if he tried to put on a normal demeanor, kidding around and striving to be professional with bursts of behavior that would betray the underlying grief and anger that he carried around.

Another example of directing that should have changed regards the son Blake (played by Robert Erikson) after the counselor (who is a Christian) suggests the son try to reach out to the hurting father. For the amount of conflict that had already been established between father and son, I felt the portrayal of the boy's effort to be nice was too sunny and cheerful. The director should have had more struggle on the son's part to be nice for it to be believable.

As for Bill McDonald's recently assigned partner, Sam Wright (played by Michael Higgenbottom), who also was a black pastor promoted as a police Sargent, I thought the Christian family portrayed was too happy and loving. It was almost stereotypical of Christians. Particularly concerning Sam's regard for his missing father. It was like the missing father was only written into the story to be a touchstone of sympathy for Sam's character when he talked to Bill. Otherwise it was a meaningless element of the story that should have been built up to give more realistic depth to Sam's character and family.

Nevertheless, the film had an edifying message, so I don't regret seeing the movie.

A religious film. A Christian one. Nice, useful, touching, moving. Like many others. This is the first impression. And it is right and fair. But the film gives more than a moral lesson. Or a preach. It is a film about sufferance - a profound one - and about family. It is a film about the meanings of life. And about chances. About faith and hate and hope and angry. Sure, predictable in many moments and scenes. And too pink in others. For me, I admite, one of good points remains the performance of Louis Gosset jr. in a role who gives to him doing a special , seductive chatacter. Short, an interestong film.

I finally watched this film today after trying to find time over the past two weeks. Here is the review I wrote for http://ChristianDocumentaries.Wordpress.com (strangely enough I haven't had time to review a documentary for the site.

I've been meaning to see this film for the past two weeks and finally made it out today. One reason I wanted to see it was because I heard the trailer for Courageous (http://courageousmovie.com/). A movie I really can't wait to see in September.

I saw this movie at 4:30 in the afternoon (it is a lot cheaper then) and I was the only one in the theater except for an older black lady who came in right as it started. That seemed appropriate considering the nature of the film.

The Good:

The film had some really great points about it. Most of the acting was was great. I love Louis Gosset Jr. though I must admit he was a bit more rotund than I'm used to seeing him, but he always pulls off his roll well. It was also nice to Stephen Dervan in a minor role. You'll probably remember him as one of the comic relief firefighter's in Fireproof.

I think my favorite actor in this film was Dawntoya Thomason who played the role of Debra, Sam Wright's wife. I don't know if she was really the best actress, but there was something about her on the screen that really just shone through.

The variations in lighting as though showed the two different families really popped out as well. I don't normally notice this too much, but since studying more about film areas like this stick out. I also must say I enjoyed the soundtrack for The Grace Card. Much like the Sherwood films much of the music was contemporary Christian (most sounded similar to Third Day or MercyMe). I'm not usually a fan of CCM but this was all well done with no "poppy" high vocals.

One other great point in this film was the wonderful portrayal of a pastor (in character traits). It was really nice to see a positive impact from a man behind the pulpit. That seems to be neglected in many Christian films.

The Bad:

Like most Christian films it had a few week spots in some the minor characters acting. Most notably I found the Police Chiefs (I think that was his role at least) played by Bob Childers to be a bit unbelievable on the screen. I'm not trying to tear him down, but I just don't think he was right for this role.

The script also had a few challenges as well. It was well done over all, but like most of the new writers (I believe the writer is actually full time in the medical field) he tried to have the characters say too much without just showing it. More than anything it came across when trying to show Mac's racism.

My last two points for this section are more theologically or philosophically based. I want to be clear than many dear saints may disagree with this assessment.

First, while I like the portrayal of the pastor I really was taken back by the fact that neither of the times he is shown preaching does he actually read or quote the Word of God. He talks about experience and says some fine things but unless it comes from the Scriptures it isn't preaching it is just motivational speaking. I realize time is precious in a film as well as flow, but I personally think that would have made those scenes much more powerful.

Second, my biggest fault with this film was the lack of God-centered grace. The theme of the entire film was grace, but the whole time they speak of grace to fellow man and never grace from God. The only reason we can give grace to one another is because it has so freely been given to us on the cross. It is a fundamental point that I felt this movie just lacked. They mentioned Jesus plenty of times, but never explained the gospel and while that is not something necessary in Christian film I just don't get how you have a movie about grace and never show that.

The Recommendation:

I think this movie is really worth seeing and supporting. While the last two points above really concern me I'm hoping this film does well enough that the writer will create more films and have the opportunity to correct those errors (or at least errors in my view). If you have the chance I'd take the time and money to go out and see The Grace Card.

Some will reject this movie from the offset because it is a Christian-themed movie, which is unfortunate. It portrays life as it really is, and the struggles we have with wrongs done to us in the past, and the profound moments of letting go, of grace and reconciliation and forgiveness.

Although we see God working through the hearts, actions, and circumstances of people, it is not one of those films that portrays this in a triumphal, miraculous, or unrealistic way.

It's the story of a Memphis cop, Bill "Mac" McDonald, who, 17 years prior, lost his 5-year-old son who was an innocent bystander when police were conducting a drug bust on their street. "Mac" turns inward and becomes very bitter, a racist and a perfectionist, straining relations with his wife and other son, and has an attitude problem which keeps him from getting promoted as a cop.

Seventeen years later, still deeply embittered and racist, Mac looses out on a promotion that goes to an African-American cop Sam Wright.

Sam has struggles of his own. He is a preacher in a small, somewhat declining Church of the Nazarene congregation that seems to be growing stagnant. Sam had hoped that God would bless his ministry and be able to commit full time to it, but in order to support his family, must remain on the Police force. He's a pretty good preacher, but God seems to be using him in even more effective ways on the Police force.

Sam Wright and Bill "Mac" McDonald (the racist, embittered cop) are temporarily placed together as partners on the police force.

Despite being emotionally with it, even Sam is deeply hurt by Mac's nonacceptance, unfriendliness, hurtful remarks and scowling hatred merely because Sam is a black man. As a result it hurts his ministry which wants him to preach forgiveness and reconciliation.

Without giving away too much, it is Sam's grandfather (played by Louis Gossett Jr.) who helps Sam deal with his feelings, and produces a short letter from his grandfather the 1880s that becomes the miraculous premise for helping Sam overcome his hurt.

A NEW tragedy in Mac McDonald's family brings Sam and Mac closer together in Mac's hour of desperate, prayer-fraught need.

Yes, there is a surprise twist or two in the plot.

It should be noted that this movie is the work of a first-time director David G. Evans and scores of first-time actors, sponsored mainly by one church (Calvary Church of the Nazarene, Memphis). Even so, the results are remarkably good. The actors, the police force -- all seem like down to earth, ordinary people pulled together by miraculous circumstances, and a few surprise twists. We see God working profoundly through hearts and circumstances rather than divine intervention and miracles. Only a couple of actors are less than professional and their lines or scenes are short, unobtrusive. Louis Gossett fits in well with his stellar performance.

The film also has great shots of Memphis, portraying the city as it really is -- many of the familiar but less known streets and intersections.

Don't expect a high-tech thriller. But this is a realistic, down-to-earth slice of life film with a powerful Christian theme of Grace and reconciliation.

It's so nice to see a well-made film that entertains, enlightens, and challenges us to be our better selves.

Mac has good reason for his bitterness and unforgiveness, but it's colored his whole life and continually inflicts pain on his family. Sam, on the other hand, is understandably conflicted when he's forced to partner with Mac in this cop drama. The inter-twinings of their families and their lives bring the real issues to a fever pitch in a desperate situation. I also loved Oscar winner Lou Gossett Jr.'s character, as the elder sage who had clearly walked this road before. Everyone has something in their lives--some pain or disappointment they hold on to. THE GRACE CARD is a wonderful drama about shaking free from it, and at the same time, releasing others.

I can't believe I wasted 2 hours of my life watching this tripe. I sheepishly admit that I watched the whole movie because I couldn't believe it could be so bad for so long . . . it seemed to last for about four hours? Even leaving aside the sickly condescending Sunday School Christian overtones, the movie is bad on so many levels. The acting is gratingly cheesy, the dialogue almost unintelligible, and the plot is just one cliché after another. It's as though the screenplay has been written by a teenage girl. It's so trite and melodramatic that it probably couldn't even get a slot on daytime TV. How they can charge to view this drivel is beyond me. As a Christian, I can honestly say that the only value in this movie is that it gives you a foretaste of purgatory.

We had the opportunity of previewing The Grace Card with other local community leaders recently. While many faith based movies that are family friendly and maintain a solid moral direction they often times lack in quality and presentation. The Grace Card, like a few others (Facing the Giants, Fireproof, etc.) is the exception. Overall the plot, presentation and quality of the film was excellent and I'd highly recommend this picture to people looking for an uplifting family friendly movie to watch.

The Grace Card is a drama and we took our teenager and preteen boys to the viewing and they enjoyed the film just as much as we did. While most Hollywood dramas are something can't watch as a family once again The Grace Card is the exception. Anyone looking for a good drama that is thought provoking that they can watch with the family will enjoy this movie.

PROS

+ Powerful display of foregiveness and reconciliation.

+ Powerful display of biblical justice - although with a touch of Social Justice which the movie redefines at the end as grace:

Pastor Sam: "I hear that every single day, like justice is gonna change our hearts. It won't." Congregation: "That's right." Sam: "It's not justice we need or even want. It's grace."

CONS

• Min 6 - One officer lays his hands on officer Sam's breast, while laughing: "Bless me father for I have sinned". Sam: "I'm a Nazarene (CHRIST and Christians were called so), I don't want to hear your confessions." Laughter.

• Min 16 - Highly problematic prayer:

Daughter: "And Uncle Joseph and Grandpa George, and for Winky too. And Jesus, thank you for Mama's lasagna. You know, I don't like lasagna, but Mama says children in Africa would kill for her lasagna. So, Lord, maybe you can send some to them so they don't have to kill anybody."

Mother: "And Lord, please make Gracie's fanny hurt a lot when I whip it in about 10 seconds."

Father: "And the Wright family said, Amen."

• Min 26 - Second prayer, before they sleep:

Wife: "Are we forgetting something?"

Husband: "Oh yeah, right. Lord, I thank you for another day, and Lord, I, Lord, I, I'm so hungry."

Wife, still praying: "Well, go get yourself some more broccoli after prayers."

Husband: "Broc?"

Wife: "Ohh, oh let me do it. Thank you, Father, for all your blessings, for this life and our beautiful children and this wonderful man you have given me. Speak through him tomorrow and let him rest in that. And his new partner ... What's his name honey?"

Husband: "Mac." The prayer turns now finally serious, but it is a ridiculous display of 'Christianity' with a total lack of any holiness.

• Min 37 - Plain promotion of 'Christian' counseling, which is conducted here without prayer, the involvement of biblical principles or the Bible itself. Prior to the counseling, the movie does not display any biblical methods such as prayer, but places its hope instantly in psychology.

• Min 44 - Sam is in the library of his grandfather, holding up the book 'Spurgeon's Sermons on the Death And Resurrection of Jesus', which is strategically placed next to the book 'Spurgeon's Sermon Notes' and the Roman Catholic book 'The Greatest Story Ever Told' by Fulton Oursler'.

Grandfather to Sam: "Spurgeon? That's good stuff."

(the camera shows a photo of the false Christian Martin Luther King)

Sam: "How long did it take you to collect all these books, grandpa?"

Grandfather: "Oh boy, 50 years. And each and every one of these, I'm gonna turn over to you."

• Min 76 -

Sam: "I'm a pastor. I was called to minister to people, or so I thought."

Wife: "What's that supposed to mean?"

Sam: "It's my part-time job. I can't focus on it or grow it or really even commit to it because I have to ride around in a cop car for hours a day ... Chasing the bad guys, wearing the badge, that's real. And I'm growing there, but my church isn't growing. It's growing stale. And soon enough, it'll just die, because of me."

This is a very sad testimony about the problematic setup of churches today. The biblical church is never composed of a single pastorate with a full-time salary, but always of a plurality of elders who occupy the very same office, and have the very same function as pastors or overseers. How many more movies do we have to watch, and real-life situations like this to suffer until we read the Word of THEOS, apply it to our setup of churches and avoid all this misery as now even complained about in this movie?

At least we see in the movie towards the end, that pastor Sam 'resigns' himself to being a police office and pastor, but he continues with all the weight on his shoulders.

• Min 94 - Plain endorsement of the Roman Catholic concept of making amends / doing penance:

A man who killed years earlier the officer's son on a police chase, is now walking into the church in a priestly garment: "I surrendered my life to my father, and I sought to make amends for the mess that I made of that life.

For penance, I entered the mission field in my ancestors' land of Kenya. Now it is the thing for which I live. I paid society for my crime with eight years of my life."

Wikipedia: "Penance is any act or a set of actions done out of repentance for sins committed, as well as an alternate name for the Catholic, Lutheran, Eastern Orthodox, and Oriental Orthodox sacrament of Reconciliation or Confession. It also plays a part in confession among Anglicans and Methodists, in which it is a rite ..."

While the scene is very beautiful and powerful, it is also a very subtle manipulation of the viewer to accept such an heretical concept of penance, of doing specific actions in order to earn THEOS' grace and forgiveness. While tears are shed and a hip song is played, the viewer is drawn into this Catholic concept without even realizing it and associates it subconsciously with something good and biblical. While this alone will obviously not make a viewer a Catholic, it plants an evil seed which other movies, resources and sermons will further water.

• The credits include the following:

Father Joseph M. Gohn

Highland Heights Presbyterian Church

Michael's Catholic Church

Morning Sun Cumberland Presbyterian Church

St. Francis of Assisi St.

I came across this movie quite by accident, or maybe divine intervention. I say that because this movie come to me at a time where it 's message helped me. This movie may suffer in ratings as mainstream people tend to shy away from 'religious movies' as they're called. This movie does not preach. Instead it uses a good storyline to teach a valuable lesson. Mainly we learn to put things in context, and that many people out there who are mean, or horrible to others are themselves hurt. The walking wounded who become bitter and set on a path of destruction. If we can see the other person's hurt, we can understand where they are coming from and possibly meet them half way. Instead of hating them, we need to love them. The movie itself tells of the strained family relations after a devastating accident, how the even changes the family members individually and how one person't faith can indeed make a difference. It's a story about grief, growth, healing, family, and salvation. There is one part of the movie that warrants being written down and remembered; I know I did that! I am very thankful for this movie and think that like minded and open minded people will enjoy it. Happy viewing.

Other reviews have more than adequately covered the excellence in this film. There are only a couple of observations to be made that will, hopefully, distinguish this review from being simply a rehash. I don't hold with the blithe accusation of the Mac character as being a 'racist'. After all, his son was killed by a black person so of course he's going to have strong feelings about that especially give the very strong memories that he carried for Toby years after his death. Whatever feelings there might be re "race", they played a far distant second fiddle to this. The second item of note is that the movie was shot on a Red camera! This digital beauty shows how far things have come in the digital age: it isn't obvious that this is a digitally based production. Finally, special nod needs to be given to the, yup, special features. The "making of" is itself a mini drama and Memphis is to be heartily congratulated for its unusual support, dedication and just plain unselfish giving.

I feel that some people are rating this movie too highly. And everyone is entitled to their opinions, as I am to mine. The movie, to me, was not that good of a movie, maybe it will be able to reach out more to older viewers, but I am 21 and absolutely did not like this movie. I am a Christian as well, and all Christian movies are not bad. In fact the King and I is one of my favorite movies. I could watch that over and over again, and that is almost a three hour movie if not longer. The Grace Card is a movie that I could not make it through. I gave it an hour, and due to lack of interest went to sleep. I hadn't heard of the movie until we went to the theater Saturday, and the bad thing is there were only two people in the theater at the time we went and maybe ten people at the early time. The entire movie is predictable, not going to say what happened for those who want to see it. I didn't see the trailer before the movie, but watching it after the movie I could tell the acting would be bad. Don't get me wrong, the trailer is pretty good, and would give one the thought to see the movie. Maybe One day I will be able to watch the entire movie or at least finish out the thirty minutes I went to sleep on. All in all, I would not recommend the movie. I asked the girl I went with how she liked it, and she said it was good because of the end of the movie, which again was predictable. But just think, if the end of the movie didn't end in the way it did, would it still be a good movie? I'm going to give the movie a 3. I would give it a 3.5, but they don't have that rating. I felt Grace Card was stereotypical and in some parts contradictory to Christian beliefs as well as police (who are not wearing their seat-belts in the movie). I like Christina movies but this movie was just not interesting to me. I hope this does not pursue anyone to change their minds about seeing the movie and I hope those of you that go to see it enjoy it more than I did. And if you plan to see it, you may want to do so soon, I don't believe it's going to be in theaters long.

I have seen many Christian produced movies in my life and usually come out refreshed emotionally but the film and acting quality always leaves me frustrated. When they had the pre-screening I was reluctant to go because as an avid movie watcher I was afraid that as a church produced movie the quality would not be what I wanted. Boy was I wrong!! The entire movie I was leaning over to my friends going, look at this film quality!! The one thing I didn't like was the wife of Sam had really cheesy acting. But that was my only complaint of the entire movie. It was as if it was produced and filmed by Warner Brothers.

"The Grace Card" refreshed my soul and I could relate. They had topics that were real and happen on a daily basis to many people in our society. And my hopes are that people will understand that although tough things happen in our life, God will be there for us, he never gives us too much to handle, and when at times it feels like our prayers aren't answered that God has a bigger plan and that he is in control.

I saw this film at the Trevecca Nazarene University pre-screening and on February 25th I WILL pay the $10.50 to go see it again. And maybe even again after that.

If you are struggling with anything or just want to be rejuvenated "The Grace Card" is what you need to see!!

Loved everything about this movie, wish there were more like it! It is right up there with Fireproof, Facing the Giants and Fly Wheel in content but slightly better technology wise. Dealing with real life stuff with a grace filled message. This is a realistic, down-to-earth slice of life film with a powerful Christian theme of reconciliation. Deals with the tough issue of racism. Who needs high tech when the plot is as good as this. The people did a great job portraying their part, it was heart tugging and soul searching. All ages could see it, even the parts that reveal some harder police work do not show anything disgusting, you will have to use your imagination that most film makers today don't know what that is! Plus I love the part that the families make a choice to love one another even when they are unlovable because most messages at movies today are the "grass is greener so it is OK to leave behind and move on!"

This movie was excellent. It was not over the top preachy as the one reviewer said. It actually had a realistic transformation scene in the end. While the acting was not maybe as good as some Hollywood big names it was still very well done. If you enjoyed any of the Sherwood Pictures films such as Facing the Giants and Fireproof, you will enjoy The Grace Card. It is just as well done and will be a film that the whole family will enjoy. Excellent family film and a film that you can use as outreach as well. Great film to make a part of your family or church library.This would also be a great film to show to your unsaved family and friends. The ending was full awesome and showed the great grace of God and how it can impact families and change individuals.

Like others I wasn't expecting much because of the Christian theme but was really surprised. The cinematography was great. Some issues were a little too much use of depth of field and a little too much smoke in scenes. The acting was exceptional given that many are not experienced. Some of the circumstances were a little unbelievable too. Some say it was a little slow moving but that's because there's serious dialog going on and not car chases the American audience seems to relate to. The jist of the movie is about the disconnect between sitting in church and hearing some feel-good sermons and the reality of what is happening in the streets of our country. Mac could have been a carpenter, lawyer, dentist, or farmer; the lesson still fits. It is a touching story and there were people still crying as we left the theater.

If it were Hollywood I would give it an 8 but extra points here for spirituality and a great job done on budget!

This is a great film about grace and forgiveness and what happens if you let anger take control of your life. The acting is awesome. It is hard to believe that only Lou Gossett Jr has been in a movie before. You will not realize that. Mac and Sam are awesome and even the smaller characters are great. It is entertainment with a purpose. The fact that it is a Christian film does not turn you off. There is drama, comedy and action. You will be moved and blessed. Macs character is like people all across the country. It is a real issue that we all face as people. It shows that we can all get along if we will get our priorities right. I cannot wait to see how America accepts this. Oh and bring your tissues.

We finally got to watch this movie, after missing it for the box office opening night. Excellent movie! I cannot believe it was done in 28 days on a $200,000 budget....just goes to show you can produce quality film without spending millions! Schools show lots of fluff, idiotic and useless movies all the time. This movie should be required viewing at every middle school and high school...not for the subdued religious tones, but for the race relations for all of us. The shot in the end was an amazing message alone. I highly recommend it for all ages. My own sons, 11 and 14 watched it with us tonight and I intend to let them watch it as many times as they want to. This one is a good one to let all the messages of the movie sink into their hearts!

I thought Director David Evans first foray into directing was well done. While he necessarily had to tip toe around some of the thematic elements in order to maintain an acceptable rating for his target audience, he avoided some of the pitfalls of other Christian movies that tended to sanitize the movie by showing the characters offer up a simple prayer of salvation,or a need to God and magically life came together for them. David Evans, allows us to wittiness the inner turmoil of the characters, and their struggles to make sense of the issues they face.-Mack struggling with the loss of His son, and the turmoil and degradation of his family that is the result of his own unresolved anger which has turned to bitterness and borders on hatred for all of humanity. Simultaneously we see Pastor Sam as he struggles with loving his neighbor(Mac) whom is a racist. These are complex issues that certainly could have been explored more in depth with a larger budget, professional actors, and an R rating, but given the circumstances, and purpose of this film, I think the movie does an excellent job of allowing the audience to make the connections to the deeper issues at play. I wish all Christian based movies had the courage to tackle such while doing an equally good job of resisting the urge to put God in a box and relegate him to a fairy God mother sitting around waiting for His followers to offer up a prayer request that he can snap His fingers and answer in a 2 hour time frame. I give it 8 stars, but rate it 10 above to off set the lack of grace that many professional critics will use when rating this film.

A real tear jerker dealing in part with racism, faith and grace, worth watching, particularly if you want to watch a sentimental film with a meaning.