Grace & Glorie

I loved this film. It is one of those films that I began watching when I was sleepy. Five minutes into the film, I was wide awake.

First, I had never heard of Tom Ziegler ever in my life. I am not likely to forget the name now. This play that he wrote is tender, well developed and well written.

Films on geriatrics have never raked in dollars. I loved Paul Mazursky's "Harry and Tonto" which was not so serious as this film. I loved "Driving Miss Daisy" as well. I would classify "Grace and Glorie" right alongside these films. Indian cinema has made two notable films on similar themes Prema Karanth's "Phaniyamma" in Kannada and another film called "36, Chowringhee Lane". In France, there was this wonderful film called "Le Chat" or the cat, with Simone Signoret.

What was great about this film apart from the play was the immaculate performance of Gena Rowlands and a noteworthy performance by Diane Lane. Both are stage actresses, or at least have stage experience and hence takes to the play like ducks to water.

But Ms Rowlands is outstanding. I loved her performance in "Gloria" as a feisty gangster woman. Now here she is playing a dying terminally ill lady. The range of her performances is fascinating. She is truly one of America's greatest actresses. She probably would have not been so good if she had spent her career pursuing mainstream cinema roles--but apparently she chose to act in husband Cassavettes' movies and some off-beat movies like this one.

The director of the movie and the camera-work are not outstanding but quite well-done. But my kudos for the perfect casting.

Like many Hallmark Hall of Fame movies this movie goes deep. It is not a rom/com and it is not lighthearted, although there are a few lighter moments. The lighter moments tend towards being sentimental. This movie focuses on death and grieving. We know that Gloria is married but has no children, yet she admits she gave birth when asked about birth pains. How does that happen to this young woman? More is revealed as time goes on and eventually the whole backstory.

Gloria has been a hospice volunteer through two previous patients. Grace recognizes that Gloria is a little too obsessed with death. Later in the movie Grace is very confrontational about the issue and how Gloria is dealing with it. Towards the end of the movie we get some of the more sentimental moments.

I'd like to say Diane Lane was very good in this movie and she was good for most of it. There is one screaming scene which seemed off, however. Gena Rowland was good in her role. She plays a woman of faith with old fashioned beliefs without any hypocrisy. There also isn't any real God preaching. Rowland's Grace confronts Gloria in a very believable way.

Diane Lane and Gena Rowlands-two beautiful actresses with so much talent---team up for this touching story about a hospice worker who lovingly enters the life of a terminally ill patient.

If you are looking for a film that affirms life's universal values---life, love and family---then this should touch your heart. It is wonderful to watch the two main characters impact each other's lives. Pain, loss and death become mere instigations for love.

A tender story regarding a young woman's acceptance of a painful loss while caring for a terminally ill elderly woman. The characters of Grace and Glorie (Rowlands and Lane) are superbly genuine.

I think the drama is superb. The character really moves me. They complement each other. One is facing death and the other wants to end her life. Both discover the meaning of life and how to make the most out of it while you can.

I like the script, nicely done. The surroundings also sets the mood in. All in all, the movie for all to watch think about their future and how it is going to be.

AK.