Michelle SweeneyReview - Saving Grace
September 18th 2009 16:51
Saving Grace is the story of Grace Trevethen, played by Brenda Blethyn. Grace is a middle-aged, upper class woman living on a large estate in Cornwall. Her husband has just committed suicide and she has been left with the estate which is in need of upkeep as well as a huge debt. Virtually everything has been mortgaged and she has to cope with repossessors knocking on her door as she grieves for her husband. Of course, the grief turns to anger when she finds out that her beloved husband had a mistress on the side! In order to keep her home the bank is insisting that Grace repay her debt and commit to making regular repayments of her mortgage.
When all the gardening equipment including the lawnmower is repossessed Grace has no option but to fire her gardener, Matthew. Matthew is a lovable and cheeky character played by Craig Ferguson, who also co-wrote the screenplay. Through a love of gardening Grace and Matthew have built a friendship. Grace has been blessed with a green thumb and can grow anything. When she finds out that Matthew is having trouble growing his plants she offers him the use of her hothouses.
There are some hilarious moments in the movie. Wait for the scene where the two old ladies who run the local store drink the herbal tea made with that delightfully unusual herb that they took from Grace’s hothouse. The funniest part of the film is when Grace, a middle aged, upper class woman in a dated suit, heads off to meet the local drug lord so that she can sell her crop.
The film is a mix of tender moments and hilarity, set against a stunning Cornish background. The relationship that exists between Grace and Matthew is beautiful particularly in the scene where they sit on the cliff tops and smoke their ‘cigarette’.
Saving Grace is a gentle and funny film to watch. It is saved from being silly by Blethyn’s convincing performance. She is a standout in the film. The story line is a little predictable but remember that this is a British comedy and it is not designed to be an in depth expose of the drug world. It is designed to make us laugh along with a story that is light and pleasant.
Saving Grace is a great film for a quiet Sunday afternoon. Don’t judge it, just enjoy it.
Voyage Review: 3.5/5
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Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Not the sort of film I usually groove to, but the charm of its telling and honest performances made it a fun diversion well worth revisiting.
Comment by Michelle Sweeney
Competition Queen
Always Learning
Cinema Voyage