Archive notice: This article was originally published on June 12, 2008. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.
Stan Phillips’ (JOHN CUSACK) wife Grace is serving as a sergeant in the US Army in Iraq. When Stan receives the news of her death, he initially cannot bring himself to tell their daughters Heidi (SHÉLAN O’KEEFE) and Dawn (GRACIE BEDNARCZYK) the truth. Instead, he takes them on a journey across the United States to the “Enchanted Gardens” amusement park. As the family truly gets to know one another for the first time along the way, Stan searches for a way to tell his daughters that their mother has died.
In his moving debut film GRACE IS GONE, director and screenwriter James C. Strouse (“Lonesome Jim”) sensitively explores how a family deals with loss and grief in the context of the Iraq War and its consequences. In 2007, the film received honors including the Audience Award and the award for Best Screenplay at the Sundance Film Festival, as well as the Critics Award at the Deauville Film Festival. Alongside an outstanding John Cusack (“1408,” “Being John Malkovich,” “Identity”), who also serves as co-producer, the film is distinguished by an exceptional soundtrack contributed by Clint Eastwood.
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