Grace Is Gone (2007)

Upon hearing his wife was killed in the Iraq war, a father takes his two daughters on a road trip.

Director:

Jim Strouse (as James C. Strouse)

Writer:

Jim Strouse (as James C. Strouse)

Stars:

John Cusack, Emily Churchill, Rebecca Spence

Nominated for 2 Golden Globes. Another 4 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
John Cusack	...	Stanley Phillips
Emily Churchill	...	First Woman
Rebecca Spence	...	Second Woman
Jennifer Tyler	...	Third Woman
Susan Messing	...	Fourth Woman
Shélan O'Keefe	...	Heidi Phillips
Gracie Bednarczyk	...	Dawn Phillips
Doug Dearth	...	Captain Riggs
Doug James	...	Chaplain Johnson
Alessandro Nivola	...	John Phillips
Zach Gray	...	Boy at Pool (as Zachary Gray)
Marisa Tomei	...	Woman at Pool
Penny Slusher	...	Ear Piercer
Dana Lynne Gilhooley	...	Grace Phillips
Mary Kay Place	...	Woman at Funeral

Storyline

Stan Philipps's wife Grace is a sergeant with the U.S. Army. While she's posted to Iraq, the earnest Stan is home in Minnesota with their daughters, Heidi, 12, and Dawn, 8. He manages a home supply store. After morning visitors bring Stan news, he takes the girls for a car ride that turns into a spontaneous trip to Dawn's favorite place, a Florida amusement park. On the way, they stop at Stan's mother's house, where his brother is staying. Heidi is an insomniac, who tries to fathom her father's uncharacteristic behavior. Dawn is cheerfully unreflective. They have fun at the park. Stan summons his courage.

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Plot Keywords:

road trip | amusement park | death of loved one | death | eulogy | 

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Genres:

Drama | Family

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for thematic material, brief strong language and teen smoking

Details

Official Sites:

TFM Distribution [France] The Weinstein Company [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 January 2008 (Israel)

Also Known As:

Ella se fue

Filming Locations:

725 9th Avenue, La Grange, Illinois, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$2,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$13,880, 9 December 2007

Gross USA:

$50,899

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,066,141

Company Credits

Production Co:

Plum Pictures, The Weinstein Company, New Crime Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

85 min

Sound Mix:

SDDS Dolby Digital DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film was originally going to be directed by Rob Reiner, who dropped out during pre-production for unknown reasons. The film's writer, Jim Strouse, then took over directorial duties.

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Goofs

In the scene that Stanley is talking to his elder daughter, Heidi, in the car asking her to think of "something fun to do" that day; a paper grocery sack is seen behind her head but it disappears as the conversation progresses.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Grace Phillips: [on outgoing message] Hi. You've reached Grace, Stanley, Heidi, and Dawn. We're not home right how, but if you leave a message, we'll get back to you as soon as possible.
[beep]
Grace Phillips: [leaving a message] Hi everyone, it's mom! I just wanted to call and tell you how much I'm thinking of you. Stan, I guess you're at work now. Have you had a chance to go to that group thing yet? I think its a great idea. God, it's hot here. I'm not sure when I'm going to be able to call again. It might be a ...
[...]

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Connections

Featured in At the Movies: The Golden Compass/The Amateurs/Atonement/Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story/Grace Is Gone (2007)

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Soundtracks

Lullaby for Wyatt
Written and Performed by Sheryl Crow
Courtesy of A&M Records

User Reviews

John Cusack takes the cake

John Cusack was excellent in this role. I saw a side of him that I never expected possible. His characters are usually intelligent and witty with sarcastic undertones, but this film shows a side of his versatility that has never surfaced before. He plays a father of two that is struggling to find a common ground. His military background leaves little commonality between himself and his daughters. The devastating loss of his wife, and the mother of his children force this character in a place that few have ever been. After an entire childhood of emotional absents, his children finally see the softer side of their father as he struggles to tell them of the untimely death of their mother. It was truly an emotional roller coaster.