Grace of My Heart (1996)

i don't expect everyone to love this movie. I do think that while it isn't a masterpiece that it has one of the best story lines ever. I loved it pure and simple for the musical it wanted to be and the drama that it was.best Illeana douglas act i have seen.haven't seen her since goodfellas but i think she did wellhad it been by some large star the movie would have been hugestill im disappointed i'm struggling to find this movie in Aussie format on DVD for my sister this Christmas. she loves the movie.someone suggest another movie to find. or give me details of where to get it in PAL format

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

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?

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.