t_pullins Her name is Grace, a sickly misfit teen who brings life back into a crotchety funeral director. Easily my favorite so far this year, this an independent film showing now that won't get the attention it deserves. Description is difficult, which points to it's originality. The first half is hilarious. The second is half heart rending. I was dubious how comedy could be found in a subject matter like this, but the movie somehow strikes its' humorous tone without being irreverent or inappropriate. The comedy is derived from the pesky antics, sarcastic quips, and quirky personality of the title character, a natural comedienne. Her contagious charm and inner strength touches the lives of those around her, including her own struggling mother, charismatic celebrity charlatan, and fellow child patients. Each was missing something in their life, yet also had something to offer. They just needed something, or someone, to bring it out. I didn't want to leave these characters behind as I left the theater. Instead, I wanted to invite them for coffee. Tears will flow at the end, both of joy and sorrow. (The depicted plight of cancer victims makes for sensitive viewing. Some characters make it through, others do not.) Grace reminds us that good and bad can be found at every turn, so while bad things can happen to good people, grace can be found.

Dave McClain "Getting Grace" (PG-13, 1:52) is a comedy drama directed by, co-written by and co-starring Daniel Roebuck. Roebuck's directorial debut, he describes it as "a love letter to the Lehigh Valley", the area in eastern Pennsylvania, where Roebuck was born and raised, where he filmed his movie and where he found most of his cast - including an amazingly talented lead actress in her first film role. The movie is about a teenager dying of a cancer and a funeral director whom she helps to live again.Grace (newcomer Madelyn Dundon) isn't one to let a little thing like dying of cancer get her down. She's usually upbeat and often effervescent. Even when she's talking about her cancer, her gallows humor is disarming. When she starts talking with a humorless funeral director named Bill (Roebuck) about what's going to happen to her body when she dies, she sympathizes with the sadness in his past and sets out to help him get emotionally balanced - even if he doesn't want her help. Grace is also trying to make sure that her single mother (Marsha Dietlein) is going to be okay (emotionally & otherwise) after she's gone."Getting Grace" is unexpectedly enjoyable. The subject matter is sensitive, but Roebuck's efforts strike the perfect balance between taking it seriously and making it entertaining. Much of the credit for the latter goes to Dundon. Her character's charm is infectious and her performance is mature and effective beyond her years - and well beyond her level of screen acting experience. This is the kind of indie that deserves to be sought out by Movie Fans, who will likely feel they've discovered something special. "A-"

jamesonpatz Low-budget films have their limits. They cannot afford the finest acting ensembles. Shoot schedules are short, meaning quick setups and bare-bones cinematography. Smart and talented filmmakers create greatness within these limits. "Getting Grace" is the farthest thing from low-budget-movie greatness I have seen in a long time.I will admit that Grace is a somewhat charming young woman, but I quickly grew tired of her non-stop exuberance and cartoon voices. The real issue with this film is that it has the most lousy writing. Characters' word choices don't make sense, and none of the jokes are funny. Beyond writing, several technical aspects were executed so lazily-notably the editing and music score (if I see one more "slide" scene transition or hear one more stringed instrument play a pizzacato walkup that ends with the strike of a triangle, I will shove one of Bobby's bent spoons down my throat).I don't want critic or audience reviews to be the end-all reason I see or don't see a movie. However, I do feel decieved that when I screened "Getting Grace," 27 out of 31 Audience reviews were 10-star reviews. Critic's reviews were also hidden from Rotten Tomatoes. I am no cynic, but I am honest. The quality of this production is inexcusably terrible. I can only conspire that the A+ ratings were left by the filmmakers themselves. I would have liked a fair warning that "Getting Grace" was one to skip.

sara2618 Such a uniquly catured story and well written! Comedic and heartwarming! The actors and actresses are Oscar worthy too!! No really!! This is a film you will see and never forget! Has left a special place in my heart! A must see again and again!