Grace of My Heart

I really enjoyed this film, and have been thrilled by the Elvis Costello/Bacharach collaboration that resulted. But what totally surprised me was the use of the song "Bermuda" by the Bell Sisters during the scene in which Matt Dillon's character is in the bedroom listening to the "song my mother used to sing to me". My aunts wrote and recorded that song in late 1951 and thanks to "Grace" it is still earning her royalties to this day. If you remember the song and liked it, write and I'll get you the link for their web site. Also check out "Backbeat" - a fictionalized account of the birth of the Beatles.

It's Martin Scorsese day. he didn't direct this one, but produced it, and it's a winner. After 3 and a half hours of Bob Dylan, I was enchanted by the songs here. The soundtrack is a real tribute to love in all it's forms and fashions. Writer/Director Allison Anders, who started accumulating award nominations from her first movies (Border Radio; Sugar Town; Gas, Food Lodging) gives us a beautifully flowing story of a singer trying to break into the business, but settling for a career as a songwriter. It featured a lot of singers from the era, including one inspired by Lesley Gore, a favorite of mine, and who helped write songs for the movie. Illeana Douglas (Stir of Echoes, Happy, Texas, Cape Fear) was magnificent as the "Carol King"-inspired lead, as was John Turturro (The Big Lebowski, Fear X) as her manager. If you like the music of the sixties, and you want to see the first time a woman's water breaks on film, then this is it. A good use of your time.

A refreshing treat in the barrage of movies from Hollywood. This movie manages to be a musical without being a musical. That is, the story is not overwhelmed by the music (think: "Newsies") but is complemented by it. The story of a young woman with a dream to make it in the music business, it follows the up-and-downs in her life and the industry over a ten year period. I'm sure all "Grease" lovers will be just as enthralled with this movie.

A wonderful performance by Illeana Douglas is the main attraction of this roman a clef of what might have happened if Carole King and Brian Wilson had become a couple. Not entirely successful but much more than a chick flick romance. Parallel to this version of the early days of rock and roll, the undervalued Laraine Newman plays another Carole King avatar in "American Hot Wax," a heartfelt tribute to Alan Freed featuring Screamin' Jay Hawkins, Jerry Lee Lewis and Chuck Berry playing themselves 20 years earlier as well as a goofy Jay Leno. Warner Brothers record producer Richard Perry eerily channels Lou Reed in the Phil Spector role John Turturro has here.

Just watched this movie over the Festive season and boy did it add to my enjoyment. No synopsis here boys and girls. It was just a very entertaining movie, great soundtrack and acting. And by the by, whoever said Illeana Douglas is ugly should visit the local optican.

"Grace Of My Heart" is an excellent movie with many plot twists and a great storyline! Kudos to Allison Anders for another FANTASTIC story!! I have not seen anything from this multi-talented writer that I have been disappointed in yet! She always provides a unique point of view in her stories and deals with valid issues. A Great triumph! AWESOME music as well! An absolute 10 in my book! I would suggest this movie VERY highly! Congrats to Allison! Keep on writing!

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?