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!

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!

There was a lot of laughter in the theater, and a lot of tears shed. Really delightful show despite the heartbreaking subject. The entire cast was excellent but I think Madelyn was spectacular and will go far.

I had the pleasure of not just seeing Getting Grace at the Northeast Film Festival in New Jersey in September 2017, but also meeting the cast and watching their discussion panel.

Let me start by saying this is not my typical kind of movie (no explosions) but I was riveted from the start. Above all else it is a story of the human condition, including everything that makes us who we are: love, sadness, illness, laughter, anger, friendship, painful truths and wishful thinking.

These aren't characters, they're real people that the audience develops feelings for. I'm thankful to have been able to meet the cast - their discussion revealed that their portrayals weren't just great acting, they put their heart and souls into this film and it shows.