"Grace Of My Heart" is similar to "Valley Of The Dolls" because the characters, in both films, are "loosely based" on actual people showing their rise & fall in show business. Illeana Douglas plays singer/songwriter Edna Buxton who becomes Denise Waverly. She's based on Carol Klein who became Carole King. A New Yorker who churned out hit after hit in the famous Brill Building. Where some of the action in "Grace Of My Heart" also takes place. John Turturro is based on record producer Phil Spector (complete with bad toupee & the wearing of sunglasses indoors). Matt Dillon fronts "The Riptides" (The Beach Boys). "The Luminaires" are based on girl groups like The Shirelles & The Chiffons. Bridget Fonda portrays "teenaged" angst-ridden, big-haired, bubblegum idol & lesbian Kelly Porter. There's no question that she's based on Lesley Gore. Interestingly, Lesley Gore wrote the tune Bridget lip synch's in the film, "My Secret Love" (which is a homage to Lesley's "You Don't Own Me"). The music in this movie is very good & has that 60's, 70's feel to it. I just wish the soundtrack album had included the tunes "Hey There" & "Grace Of My Heart" by Kristen Vigard who did the vocals for Illeana Douglas. If you like nostalgic movies about pop music like "The Idolmaker", "Grease", "That Thing You Do" & "Hairspray" you'll like this too.
48 Reviews
Pure Entertainment
sjsmith485 July 2004
Just a reminder, folks, that not all movies are supposed to be, nor do they attempt to be, Oscar-contenders. Some films are merely entertaining. I enjoyed this film for exactly that reason -- ENTERTAINMENT. If a movie makes you laugh or cry, it has accomplished its mission. Great soundtrack too, by the way (which I bought). Oh, and a little note to those of you who are trying (in vain) to be the next Gene Shalit or Roger Ebert: Some of your "reviews" are exasperatingly immature, e.g., "she's ugly." Illeana Douglas is an excellent actress with a unique beauty. I'm guessing the "she's ugly" comments come from a big fan of Baywatch and Pamela Anderson? Since when do a person's physical looks have anything to do with their ability to act?
Combines Freshness and Nostalgia for the Early Pop Days of Rock 'n' Roll
noralee19 December 2005
What fun at "Grace of My Heart" to pick out the cinema a clef references!
Evoking early rock 'n' roll as nicely as one of my favorite rock movie "American Hot Wax" with wonderful cameos by Chris Isaak, Shawn Colvin, the Williams Brothers, J Mascis all playing others recognizably. The audience came out all discussing who was whom and the accuracy of depictions despite the fictive disclaimer.
And this must be the first movie where the writer/director thanks her child care providers and lists them! It will be worth getting this movie on video just to slow down the credits.
(originally written 11/14/1996)
Evoking early rock 'n' roll as nicely as one of my favorite rock movie "American Hot Wax" with wonderful cameos by Chris Isaak, Shawn Colvin, the Williams Brothers, J Mascis all playing others recognizably. The audience came out all discussing who was whom and the accuracy of depictions despite the fictive disclaimer.
And this must be the first movie where the writer/director thanks her child care providers and lists them! It will be worth getting this movie on video just to slow down the credits.
(originally written 11/14/1996)
A good film, but a little underdeveloped
seamuss19 August 2000
I get the feeling that this was cut quite severely at some stage. It seems that the film wants to dip a toe in as many plots as possible - the romance with the Beatnik, the romance with the Brian Wilson style tortured genius, the older man, the commune phase, etc. Some of these plots could have done with a bit more flesh. But excellent performances all round and a fascinating soundtrack to boot. Well worth a look, but I feel it could have been much more.
Maybe I put too much of myself into my songs.
lastliberal23 November 2007
It's Martin Scorsese day. he didn't direct this one, but produced it, and it's a winner. After 3 and a half hours of Bob Dylan, I was enchanted by the songs here. The soundtrack is a real tribute to love in all it's forms and fashions.
Writer/Director Allison Anders, who started accumulating award nominations from her first movies (Border Radio; Sugar Town; Gas, Food Lodging) gives us a beautifully flowing story of a singer trying to break into the business, but settling for a career as a songwriter. It featured a lot of singers from the era, including one inspired by Lesley Gore, a favorite of mine, and who helped write songs for the movie.
Illeana Douglas (Stir of Echoes, Happy, Texas, Cape Fear) was magnificent as the "Carol King"-inspired lead, as was John Turturro (The Big Lebowski, Fear X) as her manager.
If you like the music of the sixties, and you want to see the first time a woman's water breaks on film, then this is it. A good use of your time.
Writer/Director Allison Anders, who started accumulating award nominations from her first movies (Border Radio; Sugar Town; Gas, Food Lodging) gives us a beautifully flowing story of a singer trying to break into the business, but settling for a career as a songwriter. It featured a lot of singers from the era, including one inspired by Lesley Gore, a favorite of mine, and who helped write songs for the movie.
Illeana Douglas (Stir of Echoes, Happy, Texas, Cape Fear) was magnificent as the "Carol King"-inspired lead, as was John Turturro (The Big Lebowski, Fear X) as her manager.
If you like the music of the sixties, and you want to see the first time a woman's water breaks on film, then this is it. A good use of your time.
Illeana Douglas finally gets to headline her own movie, but results are messy and unfocused...
moonspinner558 June 2006
Character actress Illeana Douglas is such a reassuring presence on the screen that she ALMOST makes "Grace of My Heart" worth-seeing. In a thinly-disguised biography of Carole King, Douglas plays a singer-turned-songwriter in the early-'60s who feels the pressure of being a female under the thumb of powerful males in the music-biz but makes no major decisions about it; she's a strong woman, but also a go-alonger, and eventually she gets her chance to shine. The movie has some great scenes, but they aren't strung together smoothly, and the narrative keeps getting interrupted by half-comic bits of romantic confusion. Eric Stoltz (filling in for Gerry Goffin) cuts a nice figure in his shades and suits, but he has no personality; when he treats Douglas cruelly, there seems to be nothing at stake for her beyond raising their child alone (certainly she could do better). Several key supporting roles are wonderfully filled, particularly by John Turturro as a record producer and Bruce Davison as a radio-host (both are charming). Much of the music is dead-on in its nostalgia, the production values are fine, and Douglas is simply terrific (her toothy smile and wide eyes are endearing); yet the film hits a bump just before the final act and never recovers. Interest wanes, and that's too bad because Douglas works engagingly hard at creating a character we should care more about. **1/2 from ****
"Grace of My Heart" is a wonderful movie
mk_c200222 December 2005
I was reminded of how really good this movie is today when I saw it on T.V. (with commercials ugh) I've seen it a few times before and every time I watch it, I bawl like a baby and I'm a guy. A really tough guy. But this movie goes straight to my heart and puts a squeeze on it through the wonderful music, the sweet nostalgia and what a cast!
Illeana Douglas is beautiful and she really plays her character with great talent. She's supported by a strong cast and how can you go wrong with Turturro playing Phil Specter? The first time I saw this there was something familiar about the music; the songs, like "God give me Strength". As much as I like Elvis Costello, that scene of Illeana performing it for Matt (Brian Wilson) Dillon was such a unique delivery of a pure and powerful vocal. I later found that the 'familiarity' is Burt Bacharach and the 'voice' is Kristin Vigard: Wow!
Back in those days there was such an explosion of music and creativity and Burt Bacharach was truly a pop force.
I loved the Brill Building scenes, especially when they were working on the songs. I thought the movie lost something when it moved west to California but was deeply moved by Douglas and Turturro 'having it out' at the empty poolside. The final song with the flashbacks and her crowning achievement of recording that "one great album" had me weeping again. I really like this movie so I ordered the DVD online.
Illeana Douglas is beautiful and she really plays her character with great talent. She's supported by a strong cast and how can you go wrong with Turturro playing Phil Specter? The first time I saw this there was something familiar about the music; the songs, like "God give me Strength". As much as I like Elvis Costello, that scene of Illeana performing it for Matt (Brian Wilson) Dillon was such a unique delivery of a pure and powerful vocal. I later found that the 'familiarity' is Burt Bacharach and the 'voice' is Kristin Vigard: Wow!
Back in those days there was such an explosion of music and creativity and Burt Bacharach was truly a pop force.
I loved the Brill Building scenes, especially when they were working on the songs. I thought the movie lost something when it moved west to California but was deeply moved by Douglas and Turturro 'having it out' at the empty poolside. The final song with the flashbacks and her crowning achievement of recording that "one great album" had me weeping again. I really like this movie so I ordered the DVD online.
Needs bigger star to lead
SnoopyStyle22 October 2014
Edna Buxton (Illeana Douglas) is a steel heiress from Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia. She wins a local singing contest in 1958 with a promised contract. However it's a struggle to get anywhere when producer Joel Milner (John Turturro) takes pity on her. She becomes successful as a songwriter renamed as Denise Waverly. She later marries songwriter Howard Caszatt (Eric Stoltz) and they have a girl together. Joel hires brit songwriter Cheryl Steed (Patsy Kensit) who would become her friend. More personal and professional challenges follow. She divorces Howard. She follows Jay Phillips (Matt Dillon) to California.
There are some good moments but the movie is trying to cover too much of this character's life. For example, I like the fluffy pop singer played by Bridget Fonda who turns out to be gay struggling in her private life as she hides it in her public life. Of course, she comes in and then fairly quickly, she's gone. It becomes like a long string of random fictional events happening to a character that isn't particularly compelling. I do like Illeana Douglas but she's not really the lead actress type. She's a great character actress but she can't anchor a movie like this. She and she alone has to lead the audience through the various characters that come in and out of her life. She needs to be a bigger actress. Allison Anders has written a lot of things for Waverly to deal with but as a director, she doesn't have the style (or the money) to make this cinematic. The music isn't particularly memorable but they fit the era. Certainly this movie could use some great songs.
There are some good moments but the movie is trying to cover too much of this character's life. For example, I like the fluffy pop singer played by Bridget Fonda who turns out to be gay struggling in her private life as she hides it in her public life. Of course, she comes in and then fairly quickly, she's gone. It becomes like a long string of random fictional events happening to a character that isn't particularly compelling. I do like Illeana Douglas but she's not really the lead actress type. She's a great character actress but she can't anchor a movie like this. She and she alone has to lead the audience through the various characters that come in and out of her life. She needs to be a bigger actress. Allison Anders has written a lot of things for Waverly to deal with but as a director, she doesn't have the style (or the money) to make this cinematic. The music isn't particularly memorable but they fit the era. Certainly this movie could use some great songs.
I can't believe more people don't know about this great movie!
porterkelly24 February 2002
I rented this movie a couple years ago because I like Illeana Douglas. I ended up buying 20 copies of it to give to friends as gifts for Christmas that year. The story is compelling, the cast is amazing...I can't believe more people don't know about this movie. The original music is great, too. The film moves seamlessly from the fifties through the seventies due in part to the talent of the actors, but also due to the impressive costume and makeup work and the wonderful original music written for each period. Y'know how people often say of good movies, "You'll laugh/You'll cry"? Well this is one of those.
Beautiful film!
domenico.deromanis2 April 2001
I finished to see this film yesterday night and I just start to write my comment on it. I think "Grace of my heart" is an excellent movie: good performance by all the actors/actress, good direction but especially the best thing in this movie is the soundtrack; in my opinion one of the best musics I ever heard inside a movie , surely it is due to Elvis Costello work about lot of song inside the movie.
I want give to this film 9/10 rating
Let you see it.
Domenico
I want give to this film 9/10 rating
Let you see it.
Domenico
Comments from Leslie Gore
rickiow27 June 2005
Interviewer: I wanted to ask you about Grace of My Heart. I've read that Bridget Fonda's closeted lesbian teen character Kelly Porter was based at least partially on you.
Leslie Gore: Well, I think that's what they were trying to intimate. Was it true? I don't know, everyone seemed to be based on somebody and yet the stories weren't absolutely carved in stone. There was sort of a Carole King character, sort of a Brian Wilson character. So I think that was their intent.
Interviewer: Did you have any input when they were developing that character?
Leslie Gore: You know, I really didn't. They called me up to write one of the songs and I felt good that they called me, and then the next thing I knew, I received a song in the mail written by two guys, whose names I can't even remember, and I was so disappointed that I wasn't brought in on the ground level.
And basically when I heard the song, I thought it was kind of terrible, so what I wound up doing is what I call doctoring, which is making some changes to make it a little more palatable. There were things that were totally unmelodic, and there were some lyrics that were just horrible, and I wound up making it, to my mind, a little bit better, and then I got a third writer's credit. And then they had the nerve never even to invite me to the opening when it premiered in New York. So I say screw them. So if it was meant to be me, they didn't handle it very well. There may have been some exploitative motive there--I won't second guess it--but that's what I suspect.
Leslie Gore: Well, I think that's what they were trying to intimate. Was it true? I don't know, everyone seemed to be based on somebody and yet the stories weren't absolutely carved in stone. There was sort of a Carole King character, sort of a Brian Wilson character. So I think that was their intent.
Interviewer: Did you have any input when they were developing that character?
Leslie Gore: You know, I really didn't. They called me up to write one of the songs and I felt good that they called me, and then the next thing I knew, I received a song in the mail written by two guys, whose names I can't even remember, and I was so disappointed that I wasn't brought in on the ground level.
And basically when I heard the song, I thought it was kind of terrible, so what I wound up doing is what I call doctoring, which is making some changes to make it a little more palatable. There were things that were totally unmelodic, and there were some lyrics that were just horrible, and I wound up making it, to my mind, a little bit better, and then I got a third writer's credit. And then they had the nerve never even to invite me to the opening when it premiered in New York. So I say screw them. So if it was meant to be me, they didn't handle it very well. There may have been some exploitative motive there--I won't second guess it--but that's what I suspect.
beautiful movie
ladylynch26 July 2002
First of all, this was NOT a "Carole King biopic." The character is called Denise Waverly, NOT Carole King. The character was loosely based on Carole King, just as other characters were LOOSELY based on people from the era.
Secondly, phony soundtrack? Ummmmmm . . .ok, wanna check out the composers on the soundtrack??
Finally, calling Ileanna Douglas a "dog" or "ugly" was perhaps the stupidest comment I have EVER seen on IMDB, and believe me, I've seen many stupid comments. Not only is she beautiful, she is also a wonderful actress who does an amazing job in this film. AND even if she was "ugly" (not my words), why should that hinder your enjoyment of the film? Give me a break.
If you don't like a film, at least do us all the favor of giving good reasons and at least ATTEMPT to make intelligent comments rather than the half-baked crap we see here.
This film was excellent. The soundtrack was amazing, the actors were even more amazing. 10/10
Secondly, phony soundtrack? Ummmmmm . . .ok, wanna check out the composers on the soundtrack??
Finally, calling Ileanna Douglas a "dog" or "ugly" was perhaps the stupidest comment I have EVER seen on IMDB, and believe me, I've seen many stupid comments. Not only is she beautiful, she is also a wonderful actress who does an amazing job in this film. AND even if she was "ugly" (not my words), why should that hinder your enjoyment of the film? Give me a break.
If you don't like a film, at least do us all the favor of giving good reasons and at least ATTEMPT to make intelligent comments rather than the half-baked crap we see here.
This film was excellent. The soundtrack was amazing, the actors were even more amazing. 10/10
Breezy but tentative music drama
BadRoosevelt29 November 2020
As much as I was rooting for this film, throughout I felt like something was missing. And then at the ending it dawned on me. The film's climactic scene doesn't bring quite the catharsis or emotional delivery that one would expect after the film makes the decision to lapse into melodrama and nor does it feel like a groundbreaking accomplishment has been made, even though we're supposed to feel that way.
The film is about an aspiring female singer who tries to write and singer her own recordings in the late 1950s and early 1960s and runs into several bumps along the way. Ileana Douglas is warm and likeable in this starring role, but her protagonist is weighed down by a script that doesn't offer her much opportunity to flourish or blossom into a commanding presence. For this reason, she is upstaged here and there by male supporting characters, first by John Turturro in a witty performance as a slippery studio manager and then by Matt Dillon who is utterly dynamic as her paranoid, drug-addled, rock star husband. Bridget Fonda is amusingly uptight as a polished singer struggling to add to her range while broaden her fanbase.
I was aware of this film when it was in theaters but never got around to watching it until now. With impressive period detail and a good depiction of the music industry in 1960s America, this should have been a bullseye. Sadly, although it has its moments, it goes down as a disappointment because it often fails to breathe life and vitality into an intriguing storyline. Recommended only for nostalgic purposes.
The film is about an aspiring female singer who tries to write and singer her own recordings in the late 1950s and early 1960s and runs into several bumps along the way. Ileana Douglas is warm and likeable in this starring role, but her protagonist is weighed down by a script that doesn't offer her much opportunity to flourish or blossom into a commanding presence. For this reason, she is upstaged here and there by male supporting characters, first by John Turturro in a witty performance as a slippery studio manager and then by Matt Dillon who is utterly dynamic as her paranoid, drug-addled, rock star husband. Bridget Fonda is amusingly uptight as a polished singer struggling to add to her range while broaden her fanbase.
I was aware of this film when it was in theaters but never got around to watching it until now. With impressive period detail and a good depiction of the music industry in 1960s America, this should have been a bullseye. Sadly, although it has its moments, it goes down as a disappointment because it often fails to breathe life and vitality into an intriguing storyline. Recommended only for nostalgic purposes.
Terrible film based on Wonderful and Talented Folks
pebsdad19 December 2016
God, this is a terrible film based on wonderful and talented people. The credits state that all characters are fictitious, but clearly they are based on real people. Carole King, Gerry Goffin, Cynthia Weil, Phil Spector, Brian Wilson, Barry Mann et al, are all acquaintances (and clearly on display) in this fictitious drama about songwriting and singers in the 60's. The real shame is that there is a fantastic story that really happened with all these folks in this era that deserves a documentary or docudrama (sorry Vinyl, you are definitely not it). Another shame is that the music that was assembled for the film, whether original or compiled, is fantastic and deserving of a much better film. When Shawn Colvin shows up playing and singing, sitting on a stump towards the end of the film, all I can do is drop my chin and shake my head...what a waste of talent.
About a great song
fannybrice7 May 2004
I just want to write a few words about one of the best songs I've ever heard, a song that appears in this movie and that is part of a work made together by Burt Bacharach and Elvis Costello. "God Give Me Strengh" is the central theme of the movie. A pity that the version sung by Kristen Vigard doesn't appear in the movie album, but just listening to it (dubbing Illeana Douglass) during the movie is worth watching the movie...
Costello's version is also great, by the way. It's part of an album made together by he and composer Bacharach later in 1998, titled "Painted from memory". The movie is just entertaining, Illeana plays an amazing role.
Costello's version is also great, by the way. It's part of an album made together by he and composer Bacharach later in 1998, titled "Painted from memory". The movie is just entertaining, Illeana plays an amazing role.
Didn't they find anybody else?
Mort-313 August 2001
A few musicians' biography. Quite nice, yet nothing new the usual artist problems: drugs, death and flops. The songs: fantastic! But Illeana Douglas, that woman in the leading part what does she do in this movie? She destroys everything. She can't act. Actually, the role of Denise Waverly is not so difficult to play. I don't believe they couldn't have found other, better actresses. Publicity was not the reason nobody knows Illeana Douglas. Her voice was not the reason she doesn't sing her songs herself. Maybe she was the producer's girlfriend?
The other acting performances, especially Matt Dillon's and surprisingly John Turturro's save the movie. Usually, his characters (even the one in `Barton Fink') are rather flat and one-sided. His crazy costume and toupée may be the reason why he does such a good job here.
Only 6 points out of 10, thanks to Miss Douglas.
The other acting performances, especially Matt Dillon's and surprisingly John Turturro's save the movie. Usually, his characters (even the one in `Barton Fink') are rather flat and one-sided. His crazy costume and toupée may be the reason why he does such a good job here.
Only 6 points out of 10, thanks to Miss Douglas.
Behind every idol is a song...
d_ohnuts5 April 2005
Illeana Douglas portrays songwriter Densie Waverly in a film loosely based on Carole King. It is more like a sneak peek into the lives of the 60's pop composers at the famous Brill Building(Neil Diamond, Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich). Most of the characters are based on real life rock and rollers. John Turturro plays a Phil Specter like producer named Joel, who discovers Denise. Matt Dillon does a pretty decent portrayal of a producer, not unlike Beach Boy Brian Wilson. Some parts are a bit too dramatic, but the songs in the movie--composed by the Brill writers make up for it. The highlight is Douglas's lip sync(sung by Kristen Vigard), written by Burt Bacharach and Elvis Costello. Good rock and roll movie. If you like this try: *La Bamba *That Thing You Do *The Rose
I love this movie!
Tbirdy31 July 2002
I love rock and roll movies set in the 60s, and this is a fun one. Illeana Douglas is wonderful as Edna Buxton/Denise Waverly, and yes, she's only loosely based on Carole King (makes me think a bit of Carly Simon, too, since she's an heiress). I think John Turturro is a hoot as Joel Millner, of course, he's always great. Eric Stoltz and Matt Dillon are impressive, too, although the movie loses some impetus and impact when Denise moves to California with Jay (Dillon's character). Still, it's one of my favorites--I just received my DVD the other day and watched all of the special features that evening. It's a fun (albeit sometimes sad)movie!!!
Wow, what a DISASTER!
WitnessToIt22 January 2021
Warning: Spoilers
So I decided this night to watch Grace Of My Heart, a movie I saw once about a dozen years ago and thought it was terrible then; I gave my DVD away to my best friend as a gift, to do as he wanted with it, and he thought it was so awful it was sort of funny, it was almost good because it was so bad.
So, since tastes change and I didn't remember how this movie was from that long ago, I gave it a shot again. I mean I like Illeana Douglas, she's a good actress. But this mess... it starts out with some promise, and John Turturro as this Phil Spector-like producer/talent scout, is so amusing as this Spector-type, the movie felt like it was working early on, that it would. Unfortunately it tries too hard to cover too much of music history instead of focusing on the Brill Building writers and songs, all fictionalized here, and with some BAD original music.
And that includes Burt Bacharach and pompous Elvis Costello's contribution to the movie, God Give Me Strength. Illeana seems to sings it well - she's miming to the voice of a performer named Kristen Vigard.
The movie's first problem was the casting of Eric Stoltz as her "Goffin" (she is of course clearly modeled on Carole King at times, which is a GREAT insult to Carole King, one of the greatest songwriters of all time). He is annoying from the start, and their relationship takes how contrived this movie is to a new level.
But that's just the beginning. After they get married, have a kid, and she catches him cheating on him and leaves him, she winds up with (dear God) a Brian Wilson type character played by none other than that master thespian, MATT DILLON. Things just DIE right there.
(Oh, beforehand, along with cliches about girl groups and black singers, and black girl groups, is also one about Leslie Gore, which touches on oh-so-sensitively that she's got feelings too and should not be made fun of - wow, what a revelation. Of course, like ALL performers, her name is not mentioned; the sole exception to this weird fictional movie is when Turturro's character, Joel, tells Illeana's character, Denise (real name Edna), about this producer he thinks she should work with; she asks, Phil Spector? So, to dispel any thoughts that Joel is somehow playing a Spector type character (sans bossing anyone around), and now that I think of it, to maybe avoid his wrath back then, Joel says something like "Nah, Spector's HISTORY!" She then mentions Shadow Morton - these are the two rock and roll names mentioned in the movie that I recall). (Note: they didn't even need to let us know that he's not supposed to be the Phil Spector of the universe this movie inhabits, because instead of Joel taking credit for everything as Spector did with his productions, he says he would be nothing without Denise. Spector would never have said that about Ronnie or the tons of other singers, groups, musicians and songwriters that worked with him. Spector saying that to any of his artists would be like Chuck Berry telling Alan Freed he'd play free for him - but that's another movie, and I digress).
After that it's about her and (ahem) "Jay Phillips" of this unnamed surf group, vocal surf group, which is clearly Brian Wilson, and the Beach Boys, and Brian's fictional version is played by Matt Dillon. This is one of the worst casting decisions I've ever seen. Matt Dillon. I have to say, after the unintentional insults hurled at Brian Wilson with this shameless parody, going into his "eccentricities," the movie lost all hope. There's even a totally ridiculous, pot-smoking doctor/shrink to come in (that Dr. Landy?) called Jonesy, Dr. Jones, played by David Clennon. Anybody see The Couch Trip? DON'T. Anyway his performance is so cliche-ridden it's sickening. And it just gets worse and worse. I was GLAD that Jay decided to drown himself in the river. I actually said "Jump! Jump in!" out loud watching him. I applauded Matt Dillon's character's death! This is followed by Denise's mourning, and the return of the BEST thing about this fiasco of a movie, the only good thing along with Illeana, and that's of course John Turturro, as Joel. So after he's there a while he convinces her to put out an album, as "Jay" would have wanted. So she, instead of having the one flop with God Give Me Strength previously, she miraculously makes an LP clearly meant to ape Carole King's fantastic Tapestry. Down to the cover, everything. And of course it sells millions.
This movie was so bad, it's unbelievable - that it's popular at ALL. Turturro was a hoot, and Illeana can act, but this story is a disaster as well as the casting. A completely ridiculous movie, just terrible. (and I blame a lot of that on Matt Dillon as a Brian Wilson-like character, but the whole story's a mess. They tried to cover so much ground they buried this movie. I'm almost surprised they didn't try and fit Woodstock, or maybe the Monterey Pop Festival in this disaster. All music aficionados should AVOID this movie - unless they want to see something truly unbelievably bad).
So, since tastes change and I didn't remember how this movie was from that long ago, I gave it a shot again. I mean I like Illeana Douglas, she's a good actress. But this mess... it starts out with some promise, and John Turturro as this Phil Spector-like producer/talent scout, is so amusing as this Spector-type, the movie felt like it was working early on, that it would. Unfortunately it tries too hard to cover too much of music history instead of focusing on the Brill Building writers and songs, all fictionalized here, and with some BAD original music.
And that includes Burt Bacharach and pompous Elvis Costello's contribution to the movie, God Give Me Strength. Illeana seems to sings it well - she's miming to the voice of a performer named Kristen Vigard.
The movie's first problem was the casting of Eric Stoltz as her "Goffin" (she is of course clearly modeled on Carole King at times, which is a GREAT insult to Carole King, one of the greatest songwriters of all time). He is annoying from the start, and their relationship takes how contrived this movie is to a new level.
But that's just the beginning. After they get married, have a kid, and she catches him cheating on him and leaves him, she winds up with (dear God) a Brian Wilson type character played by none other than that master thespian, MATT DILLON. Things just DIE right there.
(Oh, beforehand, along with cliches about girl groups and black singers, and black girl groups, is also one about Leslie Gore, which touches on oh-so-sensitively that she's got feelings too and should not be made fun of - wow, what a revelation. Of course, like ALL performers, her name is not mentioned; the sole exception to this weird fictional movie is when Turturro's character, Joel, tells Illeana's character, Denise (real name Edna), about this producer he thinks she should work with; she asks, Phil Spector? So, to dispel any thoughts that Joel is somehow playing a Spector type character (sans bossing anyone around), and now that I think of it, to maybe avoid his wrath back then, Joel says something like "Nah, Spector's HISTORY!" She then mentions Shadow Morton - these are the two rock and roll names mentioned in the movie that I recall). (Note: they didn't even need to let us know that he's not supposed to be the Phil Spector of the universe this movie inhabits, because instead of Joel taking credit for everything as Spector did with his productions, he says he would be nothing without Denise. Spector would never have said that about Ronnie or the tons of other singers, groups, musicians and songwriters that worked with him. Spector saying that to any of his artists would be like Chuck Berry telling Alan Freed he'd play free for him - but that's another movie, and I digress).
After that it's about her and (ahem) "Jay Phillips" of this unnamed surf group, vocal surf group, which is clearly Brian Wilson, and the Beach Boys, and Brian's fictional version is played by Matt Dillon. This is one of the worst casting decisions I've ever seen. Matt Dillon. I have to say, after the unintentional insults hurled at Brian Wilson with this shameless parody, going into his "eccentricities," the movie lost all hope. There's even a totally ridiculous, pot-smoking doctor/shrink to come in (that Dr. Landy?) called Jonesy, Dr. Jones, played by David Clennon. Anybody see The Couch Trip? DON'T. Anyway his performance is so cliche-ridden it's sickening. And it just gets worse and worse. I was GLAD that Jay decided to drown himself in the river. I actually said "Jump! Jump in!" out loud watching him. I applauded Matt Dillon's character's death! This is followed by Denise's mourning, and the return of the BEST thing about this fiasco of a movie, the only good thing along with Illeana, and that's of course John Turturro, as Joel. So after he's there a while he convinces her to put out an album, as "Jay" would have wanted. So she, instead of having the one flop with God Give Me Strength previously, she miraculously makes an LP clearly meant to ape Carole King's fantastic Tapestry. Down to the cover, everything. And of course it sells millions.
This movie was so bad, it's unbelievable - that it's popular at ALL. Turturro was a hoot, and Illeana can act, but this story is a disaster as well as the casting. A completely ridiculous movie, just terrible. (and I blame a lot of that on Matt Dillon as a Brian Wilson-like character, but the whole story's a mess. They tried to cover so much ground they buried this movie. I'm almost surprised they didn't try and fit Woodstock, or maybe the Monterey Pop Festival in this disaster. All music aficionados should AVOID this movie - unless they want to see something truly unbelievably bad).
Personal rock-n-roll story.
Peach-215 December 1998
Grace Of My Heart is a great rock-n-roll movie. It is also a very good character based drama. The cast is very good with Illeana Douglas and John Turturro turning in great performances. The director, Allison Anders, has made a very tight and well constructed story. The music is great and I also enjoyed Matt Dillon's performance as a paranoid musical genius. This is a very good movie.
Started to watch it....
Tweetypez3 January 2009
Just wasn't my cup of tea.
I didn't care for Ileana Douglas's acting.
Also, I think that the time has passed where Hollywood needs to hire an actor that needs to be dubbed. There is so much talent out there who can sing AND act. It just didn't seem well done to me. Sort of like a cheaply made-for-TV movie. I didn't like the strange accent that John Turturro was doing for his character. I've seen other films that depict past years of the music business that I liked better such as "Coal Miner's Daughter" and "Ray" and "What's Love Got to Do with It" I would recommend those to anyone who want to watch a similar premise. Just my opinion.
I didn't care for Ileana Douglas's acting.
Also, I think that the time has passed where Hollywood needs to hire an actor that needs to be dubbed. There is so much talent out there who can sing AND act. It just didn't seem well done to me. Sort of like a cheaply made-for-TV movie. I didn't like the strange accent that John Turturro was doing for his character. I've seen other films that depict past years of the music business that I liked better such as "Coal Miner's Daughter" and "Ray" and "What's Love Got to Do with It" I would recommend those to anyone who want to watch a similar premise. Just my opinion.
A truly terrific & delightful slice of rock history drama gem
Woodyanders1 March 2006
Warning: Spoilers
The chronically under-appreciated Illeana Douglas gives a characteristically glowing, winsome, totally spot-on performance as aspiring singer/songwriter Denise Waverly, who during a very turbulent and wildly eventful fifteen year time span goes from being a frustrated, creatively stifled behind-the-scenes magic maker to eventually acquiring the clout and courage to branch out on her own to sing her own material in a strong, assertive, independent female voice. Learning under the expert tutelage of cranky, eccentric, misanthropic Brill Building impresario Joel Millner (a fabulously freaky John Turturro) and enduring a steady succession of unsuccessful romantic relationships with footloose, insecure, insensitive bohemian songwriter Howard Castatt (a perfectly jerky Eric Stoltz), conventional married disc jockey John Murray (a typically fine Bruce Davison), and brilliantly innovative, but paranoid and temperamental surf-rock composer Jay Phillips (a splendidly spaced-out Matt Dillon), the extremely intelligent and resilient Denise uses her bittersweet life experiences as prime fodder for her ever evolving and emotionally charged songs.
Flavorfully documenting rock music's growth from effervescent girl group pop to trippy psychedelic experimentation to intensely personal singer/songwriter confessional tunes, Allison Anders' simply sensational feature, loosely based on the real-life exploits of Carole King (besides the obviously King-influenced Denise, most of the other characters are clearly composites of various actual rock people as well) and executive produced by Martin Scorsesse, crackles with all the joyous vibrancy and infectious exuberance of the marvelously dynamic and exciting music scene its set in. Anders' deft, assured direction and sharply perceptive script, both keenly tuned in to the mercurial zeitgeist of the 60's and the then burgeoning women's right movement, works as both invigorating rock music history and inspirational pro-feminist tract alike. The splendidly catchy and melodious Larry Klein-produced soundtrack, Jean Yves Escoffier's smooth, agile, gliding cinematography, a story which manages to be genuinely touching without ever lapsing into mawkishly contrived sentiment, an absorbing, minutely detailed backstage glimpse at the pop music songwriting and recording process, and the uniformly superlative acting -- Patsy Kensit as Denise's longtime songwriting partner and loyal gal pal Cheryl Steed, Bridget Fonda as awkward closeted lesbian pop singer Kelly Porter, and David Clennon as a flaky hippie shrink are especially terrific -- round out this positively radiant and utterly delightful gem.
Flavorfully documenting rock music's growth from effervescent girl group pop to trippy psychedelic experimentation to intensely personal singer/songwriter confessional tunes, Allison Anders' simply sensational feature, loosely based on the real-life exploits of Carole King (besides the obviously King-influenced Denise, most of the other characters are clearly composites of various actual rock people as well) and executive produced by Martin Scorsesse, crackles with all the joyous vibrancy and infectious exuberance of the marvelously dynamic and exciting music scene its set in. Anders' deft, assured direction and sharply perceptive script, both keenly tuned in to the mercurial zeitgeist of the 60's and the then burgeoning women's right movement, works as both invigorating rock music history and inspirational pro-feminist tract alike. The splendidly catchy and melodious Larry Klein-produced soundtrack, Jean Yves Escoffier's smooth, agile, gliding cinematography, a story which manages to be genuinely touching without ever lapsing into mawkishly contrived sentiment, an absorbing, minutely detailed backstage glimpse at the pop music songwriting and recording process, and the uniformly superlative acting -- Patsy Kensit as Denise's longtime songwriting partner and loyal gal pal Cheryl Steed, Bridget Fonda as awkward closeted lesbian pop singer Kelly Porter, and David Clennon as a flaky hippie shrink are especially terrific -- round out this positively radiant and utterly delightful gem.
Awesome Love/Rock Story By Awesome Writer!
Yasmin-320 January 1999
"Grace Of My Heart" is an excellent movie with many plot twists and a great storyline! Kudos to Allison Anders for another FANTASTIC story!! I have not seen anything from this multi-talented writer that I have been disappointed in yet! She always provides a unique point of view in her stories and deals with valid issues. A Great triumph! AWESOME music as well! An absolute 10 in my book! I would suggest this movie VERY highly! Congrats to Allison! Keep on writing!
Hugely Entertaining
marty6530 December 2003
Just watched this movie over the Festive season and boy did it add to my enjoyment. No synopsis here boys and girls. It was just a very entertaining movie, great soundtrack and acting. And by the by, whoever said Illeana Douglas is ugly should visit the local optican.
17 years later and it's still a yawn
abundidi11846 April 2013
Warning: Spoilers
I saw when it came into the theater, and I thought it was okay. I saw it today and it's still okay. Personally I think it could have benefited from some editing. The main character,played by Ileana Douglas wasn't strong enough to carry the movie. She was mousy, and if it were not for the extremely talented supporting cast, it would have been a total snooze. I lived through the 50's and 60's. I loved the way the film showed the the evolution of rock and roll. I was disappointed not in the music, which was spot on, but Edna's role. John Tuturro was magnificent as always. Although Eric Stolz was good, if I was editing, I would have cut most of his scenes. Fast forward to the "caught in bed with another woman" scene. The script really was totally predictable. The affair with the married man; Matt Dillon's suicide, no surprise there. But the most disappointing was Ileana Douglas. A better actor could have carried the movie. She is not star material. The 4 stars were for John Tuturro and the song, "God Give Me Strength".
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
