Sooner or later we have to say that someone is truly gone John Cusack plays Stanley Phillips, a father of two girls He gets the devastating news that his wife, Anne while serving in Iraq is killed To cope with the loss he decides to take a trip to Florida He's very reluctant to tell his kids that she's actually gone and can't stomach how to do it This is an outstanding turn from Cusack; he's dealing with a lot to distract himself from his grief, sparing the pain from his daughters, and wondering how long it'll be before he can break the news The music is so beautifully composed and the two young girls are outstanding Director James C. Strouse makes a simple, short film about loss, grief, keeping it together, and how much time is left before we ultimately break down Parents deal with death in their own way much like their kids yet it's only a question of how to process it A finely acted portrayal of grief and healing as well as depicting a side of the Iraq war on the home front that's rarely explored these days

Praised as departure from the Iraq war's own selection in the war genre, pictures like this are engrossed in the realistic copes besides the inner actions, traumatized heroism and messages with occasional attendees. This seems like a broader collective scope focused on the corresponding war than others, but it contributes contextually in general, nonetheless. This drama pressures a father with his own personal war gripping whatever confidence he could barely muster to tell his daughters the tragic news he's been given about their fallen soldier of a mother. John Cusack performed his best with sympathetically resonating conviction amidst supportive patience, and skillfully worded via thematic preparation buildup that may seem coerced nondiegetically despite bringing up additional details. (B+)

Sooner or later we have to say that someone is truly gone John Cusack plays Stanley Phillips, a father of two girls He gets the devastating news that his wife, Anne while serving in Iraq is killed To cope with the loss he decides to take a trip to Florida He's very reluctant to tell his kids that she's actually gone and can't stomach how to do it This is an outstanding turn from Cusack; he's dealing with a lot to distract himself from his grief, sparing the pain from his daughters, and wondering how long it'll be before he can break the news The music is so beautifully composed and the two young girls are outstanding Director James C. Strouse makes a simple, short film about loss, grief, keeping it together, and how much time is left before we ultimately break down Parents deal with death in their own way much like their kids yet it's only a question of how to process it A finely acted portrayal of grief and healing as well as depicting a side of the Iraq war on the home front that's rarely explored these days

An utterly depressing film which mawkishly milks the death of a loved one for all its worth. For one and a half hours, all it's about is a man who can't bring himself to tell his children that their mother is dead. Yep, that's it. The budget for this one must have been about $100 (for the petrol?) because there's no relief from scenes of this anonymous little family driving around aimlessly whilst daddy tries to pluck up the courage to tell the kids what happened. The films' relentlessly heart rending music attempts, it seems, to ensure every emotion is drained from the viewer just to make its point. Reminds me of my candidate for worst film of all time. What Dreams May Come, starring Robim Williams.

Não é grandes coisas e nem vai mudar a vida de ninguém, mas Johnzinho tá muito muito bem. Muito bem mesmo. E a trilha é do Clint.

A poignant and heartfelt drama that uses the backdrop of the Iraq war to tell an affecting story of love, loss and family, Grace is Gone is a highly recommendable film that was underseen upon release in 2007 and is worthy of your time to this day. Featuring one of John Cusack's most effective and nuanced performances, James C. Strouse's debut film is small in scale yet big on heart and harbors a beating heart that'll make viewer's laugh and shed a tear in equal measure. Strouse finds a great tone in the often tricky balance of humour and drama in this film and it's a shame in the meantime since Grace is Gone's muted reception in 2007 that his only developed the little seen The Winning Season and the nice if a little lacking Jemaine Clement star vehicle People Places Things, a film that played well in the festival season last year. Strouse shows a real feel for characters in Grace is Gone and Cusack's Stanley Phillips as well as his two daughters as played by then youngsters Shelan O'Keefe and Gracie Bednarczyk are a family unit we quickly develop feelings towards and their cross country road trip that is acting as an intermediary between Stanley letting his children know about their mother's passing as a servicewomen in Iraq is a lovingly structured one. Front and centre to this journey is Cusack, who playing more vulnerable and inwardly tormented than we've perhaps ever seen him before or since shines as Stanely. He not only looks the part of a man struggling to come to terms with not only losing his wife and best friend but a man that is trying his best to learn how to not only tell his daughters about this tragedy, but learning to in fact talk with them like the parent they will need. It's not a showy turn but it's a quietly devastating one and a reminder as to why at certain stages in his career Cusack has been one of the best performers in Hollywood. Surrounded by the impressive O'Keefe and Bednarczyk as Stanley's daughters, Grace is Gone's cast is a real winner. In many ways slight yet in equal ways important and touching, Grace is Gone is one of the better Iraq war themed films that has been produced and with a great cast, a finely crafted score that was constructed by Clint Eastwood and a story that will resonate with many who watch it, Grace is Gone is the little movie that could and therefore should be watched by all. 4 pre-work morning rev ups out of 5 www.jordanandeddie.wordpress.com

not as depressing as I had expected, in fact, not at all what I had expected from this another film dealing with grief (not unlike Things We Lost...) with fine performances from El Cusack and the 2 youngsters playing his kids. Recommended.

A husband whose wife has died in Iraq war has to tell his daughters about her death and he is unable to do so. John Cusak brilliant acting makes the character believable and makes you feel for him. A nice sweet film. A must watch.

one of John Cusack's best performance

Pretty sad movie, but one of John Cusack's best. The movie is about grief and dealing with it. Even if you don't like Cusack's politics (he is far left on most topics), he doesn't really bring that point of view to the film.

Like as usual one of the John Cusack's movie that was not widespread among the movie goers. The story of a loving, caring father of two, as well about his dignity. So many movies I'd seen that just deviates slightly from the same storyline and becomes a massive hit, mainly because of the actors or the filmmakers. This one was surprisingly a little fresher from the familiar theme. It was a road-movie-drama which is very much for family audiences. About spending time together and handling grief. A little emotion, a little adventure, a little fun, gives the overall satisfaction of giving a try. I am glad for watching this little movie, which opens about the family value when you miss your loved one under your arm. A very simple and sweet movie, merely one line story that expanded just over a 80 minute long. A fine piece of product for the tearjerker. Everybody was cool in their respective role and so the locations. Loveable movie through your whole heart, and that's exactly what I did, probably you would do the same if you're not those who always try to find flaws and bash it. 8/10

Amazing performance by the actors! Extreme heart breaking movie if your going to watch It your going to need Kleenex!

A lot of movies have dealt with women coping with the loss of a man in combat, but "Grace is Gone" does a complete gender reversal in showing a husband dealing with the death of his Army wife. It's an idea that could have worked, and by all rights it should have, but this particular film takes a lot of wrong turns starting with the basic premise. Everything that the John Cusack character does in the film seems to be the result of some sort of mental illness, and because of that, it's very difficult to feel any sympathy towards his emotionally traumatized character. It's understandable that grief hits people all in different ways, but taking your young daughters cross country to an amusement park before telling them that their mother has been killed seems irresponsible and emotionally dangerous. Not calling your work or the kids school seems foolish as well, but maybe not quite as damaging. Cusack is, generally speaking, one of my favorite actors but he seems out of place in this. It's a maudlin performance even before he finds out about his wife's death, and surprisingly it's not very effective. His parenting style seems odd and out-of-touch even before the road trip idea, and talking to his deceased wife via the answering machine doesn't exactly scream "stability" either. Basically, in the ill-concieved "Grace is Gone", he does everything that you shouldn't do if this were a real-life situation. A lot of people were moved by this, but I found it to be oddly cold and emotionally distant.

Its a good solid movie that makes you think things just aren't that simple- for adults but they are for kids. Things can still be hard for both and there n lies the connection. There may be a different perception but down deep we an relate. Oh and the war was not that simple or polarized as people made it out to be.The Rumsfeld speech snippet about weakness was profound.

Cusack gives a quietly moving performance but the film itself is rather sluggish.

John Cusack should have been nominated for at least a Golden Globe award for his honest, realistic portrayal of a widowed father of two girls who has a hard time dealing with the loss of his Army wife. This movie is excellent.

John Cusack should have been nominated for at least a Golden Globe award for his honest, realistic portrayal of a widowed father of two girls who has a hard time dealing with the loss of his Army wife. This movie is excellent.

John Cusack was excellent. Be prepared. This is a heart wrenching movie.

Strong performances in an interesting movie suffering from a lackluster climax.

Flat out too depressing. I can't take watching movies like this as anything casual. Sure it has its light moments but then you think of Cusack's character and what he knows, it rips at your emotions. There's a lot of character symbolism in the actors, and technically its great that nothing is spoon-fed to the audience, which leaves us sitting there, stewing in each characters emotions. Cusack gives easily his finest performance, sold the hell out of that role. The voice message scenes got me the most and were the highlights of the script and film. But good god, I'll probably never watch this movie again.