Getting Grace

"Getting Grace" (PG-13, 1:52) is a comedy drama directed by, co-written by and co-starring Daniel Roebuck. Roebuck's directorial debut, he describes it as "a love letter to the Lehigh Valley", the area in eastern Pennsylvania, where Roebuck was born and raised, where he filmed his movie and where he found most of his cast - including an amazingly talented lead actress in her first film role. The movie is about a teenager dying of a cancer and a funeral director whom she helps to live again.

Grace (newcomer Madelyn Dundon) isn't one to let a little thing like dying of cancer get her down. She's usually upbeat and often effervescent. Even when she's talking about her cancer, her gallows humor is disarming. When she starts talking with a humorless funeral director named Bill (Roebuck) about what's going to happen to her body when she dies, she sympathizes with the sadness in his past and sets out to help him get emotionally balanced - even if he doesn't want her help. Grace is also trying to make sure that her single mother (Marsha Dietlein) is going to be okay (emotionally & otherwise) after she's gone.

"Getting Grace" is unexpectedly enjoyable. The subject matter is sensitive, but Roebuck's efforts strike the perfect balance between taking it seriously and making it entertaining. Much of the credit for the latter goes to Dundon. Her character's charm is infectious and her performance is mature and effective beyond her years - and well beyond her level of screen acting experience. This is the kind of indie that deserves to be sought out by Movie Fans, who will likely feel they've discovered something special. "A-"

This was a beautiful film. FUNNY, HOPEFUL, WELL ACTED, LOVELY SCRIPT! I thoroughly enjoyed it from beginning to end. The acting was excellent and it offered a great message of hope and love. There is a line in the movie about some people getting Grace, and others never will. This one line was so powerful, and if I was to choose one message from the film, this may be the one. The characters were raw, and real, and believable, as they portrayed what is certainly part of real life. The story takes you on highs and lows, with drama and a wonderful sense of humor throughout. I can easily, and highly recommend this film to my family and friends, it is just a must see! The Director and all the actors did a wonderful job - thank you for your message of hope!

I attended a screening of "Getting Grace" last night in Santa Monica. When I hear "faith based" movie, I get leery. They are usually under funded, poorly made, poorly acted and get too "preachy." This isn't that AT ALL. Getting Grace wasn't shoved in my face, it was grounded in a reality that both spoke to me and touched my heart. Having watched a loved one deal with the most horrible aspects of cancer (on more than one occasion) among the OTHER tragedies that happen within the film I've had first hand experience with, Getting Grace deals with them on a level that hasn't been seen often in either faith based or general movies. It gets real. Sure, there's humor... good humor. Nothing too blue or adult but, fun and at times mature humor that seems to have been sucked out of most movies lately. We get drama... of course we do. Our main character has cancer, the kind you don't get better from. There's other tragic issues dealt with in the movie but, they aren't overbearing. They are told with a "this is what life is" tone that, again, isn't heavy handed. Bad things happen and everyone deals with tragedy differently. The blend of comedy and drama (and dramedy... a fantastic blend of drama and comedy at the same time which is hard to pull off but, filmmaker Danny Roebuck, does it with a charm) is spot on... Sometimes we have to laugh at the worst situations because, it's better than crying. Newcomer Madelyn Dundon's performance is on another level. Her subtle yet realistic portrayal of Grace is so natural and so brilliant, I'm surprised she isn't accepting awards yet. Daniel Roebuck gives his undertaker character, that Grace befriends, a tragically, quiet Buster Keaton like edge. He is a sad man of very few words but, his eyes express the sorrow he has held inside for a long time.Roebuck doesn't need to say much but says a thousand words with his expressions. Dana Ashbrook is terrific as the author who can bend spoons and helps some of the non-believers understand the faith that Grace seeks herself. Duane Whitaker's minister character adds some great comic moments but, also raises questions about the true theme of the movie... finding faith and searching your soul for answers. Harri James gives an incredible performance as the mother of a very sick little girl. Her anger, frustration and overbearing protection, as she watches her little girl suffer is wonderfully detailed and layered. All in all, the movie was cast VERY well and the acting and attention to detail is top notch. Being an actor for many years, Daniel Roebuck knows how to direct performances. It doesn't hurt that he backed himself with a technical team that made the film visually beautiful and interesting to watch. Roebuck has a bright future as a director.

In the crazy world we live in now, filled with tragedy and uncertainty (to say the least), Getting Grace is a delightfully entertaining, funny, tragic, heartbreaking, heartwarming piece of filmmaking art... the type of "slice of life" film that everyone should get a HUGE piece of and savor its flavors and nuances... and save yourself room for seconds. No explosions, alien invasions or CGI dinosaurs needed, It's nice to see a film that doesn't rely on anything but good story telling and great filmmaking and acting. We need more of these types of movies. SEE. THIS. FILM.

I was lucky to be at one of the sneak peaks last night and what a BRILLIANT film this is! I know that to say "I laughed and I cried" is pretty cliche, but it was never quite so true before. This is truly a joyful comedy. Yes, Grace is a teen-aged girl dying of cancer, but the movie is so much more about how she touches the lives of those around them and teaches them to live life to its fullest. She asks all the tough questions and drags people into doing what makes them happy. Daniel Roebuck really kills it as the funeral director Bill in the story, and the fact that he also wrote, directed and produced this film is truly impressive. Madelyn Dundon is a newcomer to film and you would never know it if it weren't in the credits. She is subtle and authentic and truly delightful to watch. I am not a "laugh out loud" person yet I guffawed several times. And then suddenly, I'm crying and you are SO in love with Grace and ALL the characters who are going to miss her that by the end you can't stand to see her go. Ultimately, this is uplifting and glorious, but to say you experience all the feels is an understatement. Highly, highly, highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys life and all it brings.

Such a uniquly catured story and well written! Comedic and heartwarming! The actors and actresses are Oscar worthy too!! No really!! This is a film you will see and never forget! Has left a special place in my heart! A must see again and again!