![]() ![]() Executive producers, Burg, Larry Mestel, Daniel Jason Heffner, Anne Parducci, Jason Constantine, Eda Kowan.ĭirected, written by Brad J. Produced by Russ Rice, Larry Frenzel, Christopher M. Running time: 102 MIN.Ī Lionsgate release, in association with Roadside Attractions and Orion Pictures, of a Lionsgate presentation, in association with Mark Burg, of a Coram Deo Studios production, in association with Birchwood Pictures. Reviewed at Edwards Marq*E Cinema, Houston, Oct. In a different sort of pic with a different kind of agenda, his character probably would have sprung some very nasty surprises on Grace. On the other hand, Welch initially comes across as so anxious and overly solicitous, viewers may be reminded of a “Psycho”-era Anthony Perkins. For example, Pollak sports a Mephistophelean goatee and a sporadically smarmy demeanor, but Mossy never makes the full transformation into pervy slimeball that early scenes seem to signal. Silverman also upends a few expectations raised, inadvertently or otherwise, by his cast. On the other hand, he stops well short of depicting the secular showbiz world as a cesspool of sin and salaciousness, and actually suggests in a fleeting scene near the end of “Grace Unplugged” that some people - not Grace, mind you, but some people - can be perfectly happy while pursuing a career not entirely focused on God. Silverman doesn’t do himself any favors by encouraging his players, especially Michalka, to deliver their lines like grade-school teachers emphasizing important life lessons to a class of slow learners. “Sometimes,” Renae hisses in a manner meant to sound more debauched than Beelzebub, “you have to spend it.” Worse, she’s unable to write any songs herself.įortuitously, or providentially, Grace meets Quentin (Michael Welch), a record-company intern who just happens to be a born-again Christian, a big fan of Grace’s dad, and a much better influence than, say, Renae Taylor (Kelly Thiebaud), the superstar pop tart who tells Grace that a woman’s body is her currency. But she’s uncomfortable about singing the innuendo-laden songs Mossy wants her to record on her debut album. When she’s offered a chance to record a new version of Johnny’s decades-old hit by Mossy Mostin ( Kevin Pollak), her dad’s former manager, she decides it’s time to spread her wings.Īfter she arrives in Los Angeles, Grace is so thrilled about the possibility of “making it” as her first single charts that she willingly turns herself over to the image remakers - who rename her “Gracie Trey” - and even has a drink or two (or more) at promotional events. Not surprisingly, Johnny’s control-freakish direction of her contributions to their church performances - and his threat to ditch her from his Christian music band if she don’t stop mouthing off and questioning his edicts - only serve to push Grace toward flying solo, far from the family nest.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |