November
27
Grace is Gone: Cusack Talks
John Cusack charmed the Sneak Previews group Monday night. After having made more than 50 movies, he still remembers what Rob Reiner told him early on while they were shooting The Sure Thing. If you're worrying about this and that and the other, said Reiner, you're not doing your job. What's important is what happens in that small circle in front of the camera. Some directors like Reiner, said Cusack, create that quiet space where that focus and concentration can take place for the actor: Clint Eastwood, Woody Allen, Cameron Crowe.
Grace is Gone is a small movie shot for $3 million in 24 days that Cusack produced, working with 29-year-old rookie director Jim Strouse (who also wrote Lonesome Jim). Cusack based his muscle-bound performance on friends and family in Illinois. His inarticulate soldier wants to be in control of an ordered life but loses his wife in the Iraq War and has to tell his two young daughters---and puts it off as long as possible. He's clenched and tight, Cusack said. His unforgettable walk was a key to finding the character. He had to go to the chiropractor a lot while shooting. Cusack beamed with pride at the two first-time actresses they hired in the Chicago area to play the two girls. The crowd applauded them.
The Weinstein Co. scooped up the movie at Sundance. It was Harvey's idea to go to Eastwood for the score. Cusack, an admirer of Eastwood's music, was happy to ask him, having worked with him before on Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. He was surprised when Eastwood said yes.
My class liked the film, although its even-handed politics confused some who wanted a clearer statement of the film's POV. Clearly, Cusack wanted to show the impact of the Iraq War on a human scale, and hopes that the film will reach a wide swath of audiences, not just the Liberal choir. Resistance to the subject may prove hard to overcome. Cusack is moving and believable as a midwestern dad and soldier and could get some attention from SAG and Oscar members--but only if folks watch the movie, which was overlooked by the Indie Spirits.
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"but only if folks watch the movie"
I love the campaign materials for this movie, but the campaign execution does not make me think the quoted goal will be achieved.
Posted by: Chris Thilk | November 28, 2007 at 02:13 PM
I've seen it and I'm glad the film doesn't focus on telling you what to believe, but focuses on the effects of war. It focuses on the large impact war can have in even the smallest of places, like a home. I hope people go and see it. It was brilliantly done.
Posted by: Lara K | November 30, 2007 at 09:58 AM
Tonight John Cusack talks with about Grace Is Gone on Tavis Smiley. It will air on PBS.
Posted by: Brian | December 03, 2007 at 04:45 PM