Gracie

Starring: Carly Schroeder, Dermot Mulroney, Elisabeth Shue
Directed by: Davis Guggenheim
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Drama, Sport
2007

Times Seen:
Tim: 2

Summary: In 1978, after the untimely accidental death of her brother, Gracie (Carly Schroeder) has difficulty processing and dealing with her grief. She eventually pleads with her father (Dermot Mulroney) to train her so she can take her brother's spot on the varsity soccer team, much to her mother's (Elisabeth Shue) worry.

Review:

Tim: I feel bad for not liking this movie. I've always big a big supporter of Elisabeth Shue. This is an autobiographical movie about her life- her successful attempt to play men's soccer after the death of her brother. It is directed by her husband, and her brother produces and has a supporting role in it. I love that Shue made this film, but I just wish I could have enjoyed it more.

The problem with the film is that it gets a bit too melodramatic. We watch young Gracie as she tries to process her grief, make the varsity soccer team, and deal with her family. This is obviously a lot to deal with, but it just gets overwhelming (for the audience, as well as her character). For much of the movie, it is a huge, huge downer. This is a very depressing movie until the very end. The film also takes some odd turns, with Gracie suddenly becoming a "wild child," which is never really explained well in the context of this movie (there is a good explanation, as many young people respond to grief like this).

Carly Schroeder generally does a good job playing Gracie. A few times she can get on our nerves, but she is mostly effective. I honestly believe another actress might have done a better job, but she's quite believable during the soccer scenes. Dermot Mulroney never really seems quite as good as he needed to be. I can't specifically point out where he is weak, but his character is never quite believable enough. I did actually really enjoy Elisabeth Shue in this film. It must have been odd technically playing her own mother. She brings talent, poise, and a quiet and restrained charisma to the film. I was glad she played this role.

I suppose there are a few things to like about this movie. The whole girl power story works well. I like the film's message that girls can do anything they want- if they put their minds to it. In the context of the late 1970s, this message was huge. Today, this story seems a bit foreign and hard-to-believe. Still, Gracie isn't a terrible movie. I wish it had been better, but I didn't completely hate it.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating- 5.5



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend: Goal! The Dream Begins, The Notebook