The Grace Card

source: The Grace Card

This is a good movie. However many who simply don't like faith-based movies will not like this one. They are also likely the ones who give it a low IMDb vote. The story plays on the core concept that goodness starts within each of us. It also builds on the white/black racial tensions in a place like Memphis, the setting for this story. A white man became a police officer after his young son was killed when a young black drug dealer was speeding away to avoid police. The druggie was convicted and served his 10-year sentence, but the father who lost his son has continued to battle inner demons. That is exacerbated when a black officer, younger than him and with less experience, gets promoted. A black officer who also happens to be a preacher, a man of faith. To compound the hurt, they were ordered to be partners for a time. The title of the story is a play on the old expression "playing the race card." Instead, the movie's message is to "play the grace card", to forgive someone rather than to hold a grudge forever. SPOILERS: The white cop has a teenage son who is a screw-up, and presently being kicked out of a private school the parents can barely afford. Then one night they surprise a burglary in progress, they go in, the white cop shots a masked man, who turns out to be his own son. The shot kills a kidney, and it is discovered that because of a defect from birth that was his only functioning kidney. He needs a transplant to stay alive. It turns out the black office/preacher is a match, and his donation keeps the boy alive. The father receives redemption also.

An awesome story made with local citizens of Memphis! I really hope that opening weekend had enough attendance to keep the GRACECARD on the move! I highly recommend bringing in tissues, because the movie will touch your heart. In reading a few of the earlier posted reviews regarding the lack of polish/refinement of the move, I want to add that even though this movie isn't as "retouched" the way some of the bigger production agencies make them, this only adds character and heart to the story. Memphis isn't the only city divided, there is bigotry and hatred in all cultures and nations. Lets all do our part and take the message from this wonderful film and start issuing GRACECARDS! I think it's a exceptional idea!

Because there was only one showing in the afternoon, having had several last week when I was a bit busy during that time, me and my movie theatre-working friend chose to watch it then when we both had this day off. While my friend was crying throughout, I managed to start to be touched when that wife of that cop slapped him because of his accidental shooting of their teenage son but I'm getting ahead of myself here. This Christian-themed movie about the dealings of long-ago tragedy, some racism, and the idea of forgiveness despite some people that caused those tragedies was for the most part well made even though I managed to predict what would happen before they did. Still, this was quite touching and made pertinent points about how hard some feelings are to let go. One other thing I'd like to mention is that Oscar-winner Louis Gossett, Jr.-in his brief role-still can steal a scene even during his quietest moments like here. So on that note, The Grace Card was pretty good as a message drama.

This movie was excellent. It was not over the top preachy as the one reviewer said. It actually had a realistic transformation scene in the end. While the acting was not maybe as good as some Hollywood big names it was still very well done. If you enjoyed any of the Sherwood Pictures films such as Facing the Giants and Fireproof, you will enjoy The Grace Card. It is just as well done and will be a film that the whole family will enjoy. Excellent family film and a film that you can use as outreach as well. Great film to make a part of your family or church library.This would also be a great film to show to your unsaved family and friends. The ending was full awesome and showed the great grace of God and how it can impact families and change individuals.

Louis Gossett Jr. was always one of my favorite actors and its always a joy watching him, except in this film. He has aged so badly its pathetic. This is the fourth "Christian" film I have watched in two years and I don't plan on seeing any more. I was the only one in the theater. This movie is mostly so dark and gloomy that its absolutely depressing. One cop is like the Simpson's neighbor and the other is like Oscar the Grouch. He is such a *^%$$% to his wife, son and everyone else you don't care about him. Then it has a typical sappy ending that feels like its just tacked on. "Christian" movies like this, no wonder people don't believe in God.

I thought Director David Evans first foray into directing was well done. While he necessarily had to tip toe around some of the thematic elements in order to maintain an acceptable rating for his target audience, he avoided some of the pitfalls of other Christian movies that tended to sanitize the movie by showing the characters offer up a simple prayer of salvation,or a need to God and magically life came together for them. David Evans, allows us to wittiness the inner turmoil of the characters, and their struggles to make sense of the issues they face.-Mack struggling with the loss of His son, and the turmoil and degradation of his family that is the result of his own unresolved anger which has turned to bitterness and borders on hatred for all of humanity. Simultaneously we see Pastor Sam as he struggles with loving his neighbor(Mac) whom is a racist. These are complex issues that certainly could have been explored more in depth with a larger budget, professional actors, and an R rating, but given the circumstances, and purpose of this film, I think the movie does an excellent job of allowing the audience to make the connections to the deeper issues at play. I wish all Christian based movies had the courage to tackle such while doing an equally good job of resisting the urge to put God in a box and relegate him to a fairy God mother sitting around waiting for His followers to offer up a prayer request that he can snap His fingers and answer in a 2 hour time frame. I give it 8 stars, but rate it 10 above to off set the lack of grace that many professional critics will use when rating this film.

I feel that some people are rating this movie too highly. And everyone is entitled to their opinions, as I am to mine. The movie, to me, was not that good of a movie, maybe it will be able to reach out more to older viewers, but I am 21 and absolutely did not like this movie. I am a Christian as well, and all Christian movies are not bad. In fact the King and I is one of my favorite movies. I could watch that over and over again, and that is almost a three hour movie if not longer. The Grace Card is a movie that I could not make it through. I gave it an hour, and due to lack of interest went to sleep. I hadn't heard of the movie until we went to the theater Saturday, and the bad thing is there were only two people in the theater at the time we went and maybe ten people at the early time. The entire movie is predictable, not going to say what happened for those who want to see it. I didn't see the trailer before the movie, but watching it after the movie I could tell the acting would be bad. Don't get me wrong, the trailer is pretty good, and would give one the thought to see the movie. Maybe One day I will be able to watch the entire movie or at least finish out the thirty minutes I went to sleep on. All in all, I would not recommend the movie. I asked the girl I went with how she liked it, and she said it was good because of the end of the movie, which again was predictable. But just think, if the end of the movie didn't end in the way it did, would it still be a good movie? I'm going to give the movie a 3. I would give it a 3.5, but they don't have that rating. I felt Grace Card was stereotypical and in some parts contradictory to Christian beliefs as well as police (who are not wearing their seat-belts in the movie). I like Christina movies but this movie was just not interesting to me. I hope this does not pursue anyone to change their minds about seeing the movie and I hope those of you that go to see it enjoy it more than I did. And if you plan to see it, you may want to do so soon, I don't believe it's going to be in theaters long.

Loved everything about this movie, wish there were more like it! It is right up there with Fireproof, Facing the Giants and Fly Wheel in content but slightly better technology wise. Dealing with real life stuff with a grace filled message. This is a realistic, down-to-earth slice of life film with a powerful Christian theme of reconciliation. Deals with the tough issue of racism. Who needs high tech when the plot is as good as this. The people did a great job portraying their part, it was heart tugging and soul searching. All ages could see it, even the parts that reveal some harder police work do not show anything disgusting, you will have to use your imagination that most film makers today don't know what that is! Plus I love the part that the families make a choice to love one another even when they are unlovable because most messages at movies today are the "grass is greener so it is OK to leave behind and move on!"

I came across this movie quite by accident, or maybe divine intervention. I say that because this movie come to me at a time where it 's message helped me. This movie may suffer in ratings as mainstream people tend to shy away from 'religious movies' as they're called. This movie does not preach. Instead it uses a good storyline to teach a valuable lesson. Mainly we learn to put things in context, and that many people out there who are mean, or horrible to others are themselves hurt. The walking wounded who become bitter and set on a path of destruction. If we can see the other person's hurt, we can understand where they are coming from and possibly meet them half way. Instead of hating them, we need to love them. The movie itself tells of the strained family relations after a devastating accident, how the even changes the family members individually and how one person't faith can indeed make a difference. It's a story about grief, growth, healing, family, and salvation. There is one part of the movie that warrants being written down and remembered; I know I did that! I am very thankful for this movie and think that like minded and open minded people will enjoy it. Happy viewing.