Grace Is Gone – Stanley Phillips works at the Home store, raises two daughters alone (Shelan O’Keefe and Gracie Bednarzyck) and wishes it were he, instead of his wife, who went off to Iraq. He’s a die hard Republican and huge supporter of the President even after the doorbell rings to inform him that his wife, Grace, is dead. Unable to face the truth and wanting to preserve the innocence of his children a while longer, he takes them on a road trip to Enchanted Land – the generic version of Disneyworld – but what he’s really doing is prolonging their agony. While the movie is about grief and Cusack gives his best performance ever, his child-rearing skills will anger any parent, but not as much as what you’ll feel about the mother would risk her life while two small daughters at home have nightmares and failing grades. Yes, yes, I know, it’s for the “good of our country” but it seems a mother ages 20-40 is the most valued and needed life right here at home. Cusack’s resentful behavior and often short-tempered character washes out any sympathy we feel for him. Instead we feel sorry for the two girls stuck with such ignorant parents. One and a half tiaras
