(Price: $24.95) The Weinstein Company
John Cusack, Alessandro Nivola, Gracie Bednarczyk, Shelan O'Keefe
Iraq
War tearjerker "Grace Is Gone" never gained traction at the box
office, grossing a paltry $107,435 worldwide following a late 2007 release. The
film has its faults, certainly, but deserved a better fate. The Weinstein Co.
is now hoping that those who didn't see "Grace" in theaters -- and
that's practically everyone -- will catch the DVD and share in the grief of
this devastated family.
TWC doesn't seem to have much
confidence in the potential homevid sales however, as the cheaply made
packaging attests. Monotone cover art has a Hallmark movie-of-the-week feel
with, count 'em, four shots of Cusack and the kids, plus quotes from Roger
Ebert and Richard Roeper admiring Cusack's perf.
There's no audio commentary and
the special features include only one original piece, the seven-minute "A
Conversation on Grace," in which writer-director James C. Strouse, Cusack
and the rest of the cast share their thoughts. As a father with two daughters,
Strouse explains he was drawn to the family aspect of the story and laments the
countless lives changed forever after a soldier dies in service.
The other two short features are
courtesy of the Pentagon Channel. "The Inspiration for 'Grace Is
Gone'" tells the true story of Warren Pellegrin, whose wife, Navy Lt.
Corinne Pellegrin, fell ill while at sea and died, leaving Warren the difficult
task of explaining to his kids that their mom had passed away. Warren recounts
getting a phone call from Cusack and how the actor explained that he wanted to
humanize the role, so the two talked about the painful experience of losing a
loved one.
"Profile of TAPS: A Tragedy
Assistance Program" is a brief report about the national organization for
survivors of family members killed while in the military. The program brings
together different family members to talk about their similar circumstances.
Final special feature is the
theatrical trailer.
Dolby, subtitled, widescreen. Running time: 84 minutes
Read the full article at:
http://www.variety.com/story.asp?l=story&r=VE1117937284&c=1023