Grace of My Heart (1996)

An aspiring singer, Denise Waverly/Edna Buxton, sacrifices her own singing career to write hit songs that launch the careers of other singers. The film follows her life from her first break... See full summary »

Director:

Allison Anders

Writer:

Allison Anders

Stars:

Illeana Douglas, John Turturro, Sissy Boyd

3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Illeana Douglas	...	Denise Waverly / Edna Buxton
Sissy Boyd	...	Dress Saleswoman
Christina Pickles	...	Mrs. Buxton
Jill Sobule	...	Singing Contestant
Jennifer Leigh Warren	...	Doris Shelley
Tegan West	...	M.C. at Talent Show
Richard Schiff	...	Audition Record Producer
Natalie Venetia Belcon	...	Betty
Kathy Barbour	...	Sha Sha
John Turturro	...	Joel Millner
Diane Robin	...	Waitress in Diner
Eric Jerome Kirkland	...	Stylette
Irving Washington III	...	Stylette (as Irving Eugene Washington III)
Kurt Jackson	...	Stylette
Michael Angelo Saulsberry	...	Stylette (as Michael Saulsberry)

Storyline

An aspiring singer, Denise Waverly/Edna Buxton, sacrifices her own singing career to write hit songs that launch the careers of other singers. The film follows her life from her first break, through the pain of rejection from the recording industry and a bad marriage, to her final triumph.

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Plot Keywords:

f rated | title directed by female | songwriter | singer songwriter | rock band | 

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Taglines:

For years her songs brought fame to other people. Then she found her own voice.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Music

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language, and for some sexuality and drug content

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 September 1996 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Sombra de Um Génio

Filming Locations:

1365 S Oakland Avenue, Pasadena, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$5,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$173,654, 15 September 1996, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$617,632, 6 October 1996

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cappa Production, Gramercy Pictures (I), Universal Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

116 min

Sound Mix:

DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In To Die For (1995), Illeana Douglas and Matt Dillon play sister and brother. In this movie one year later, they play wife and husband.

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Goofs

Jay Phillips' sunglasses during TV interview.

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Quotes

Edna Buxton: Mother, the dress doesn't fit.
Mrs. Buxton: The dress fits the occasion. It's you that doesn't fit.

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Connections

References Oklahoma! (1955)

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Soundtracks

Don't You Think it's Time
Written and Performed by J. Mascis (as J Mascis)
Produced by J. Mascis (as J Mascis) and Larry Klein
Courtesy of Blanco y Negro/Warner Music UK Limited

User Reviews

Behind every idol is a song...

Illeana Douglas portrays songwriter Densie Waverly in a film loosely based on Carole King. It is more like a sneak peek into the lives of the 60's pop composers at the famous Brill Building(Neil Diamond, Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich). Most of the characters are based on real life rock and rollers. John Turturro plays a Phil Specter like producer named Joel, who discovers Denise. Matt Dillon does a pretty decent portrayal of a producer, not unlike Beach Boy Brian Wilson. Some parts are a bit too dramatic, but the songs in the movie--composed by the Brill writers make up for it. The highlight is Douglas's lip sync(sung by Kristen Vigard), written by Burt Bacharach and Elvis Costello. Good rock and roll movie. If you like this try: *La Bamba *That Thing You Do *The Rose