GRACE OF MY HEART

US, 1996, 116 minutes, Colour.
Ileana Douglas, Matt Dillon, John Turturro, Eric Stoltz, Bruce Davison, Patsy Kensit, Bridget Fonda.
Directed by Allison Anders.

The late 50s. Edna Buxton is a wealthy young woman from Philadelphia who, despite her snobbish mother, wants to sing and to write songs. Despite winning a competition, no one wants girl singers and she finally settles to write for male groups. And so the 60s begin. By the time the 60s are over, Edna will have had her name changed, will have topped the charts, collaborated with a writer and married him, become a mother, had an abortion, been deserted, had a relationship with a married man, collaborated on more songs with success and married an eccentric musical genius who cannot cope with life. With reminders of various US musical personalities of the 60s, the film offers a portrait of a period of change and transition of values.

Alison Anders has written a number of small-budget features, especially Gas, Food, Lodging, which explore women who struggle in American society. To this extent, Grace of My Heart offers more of a picture of achievement and success - but at a cost. Ileana Douglas is believable as Edna and John Turturro is memorable as her agent. But Matt Dillon as the tortured genius gives a torpid performance. New songs, including some from Elvis Costello and Burt Bacharach, feature in the film. US music nostalgia.

1. A portrait of the '60s, a memoir of the songwriters of the period? The plot based on the life of Carol King? The comparisons of then and now?

2. The women's perspective in the film: writer and director, actresses, the subject of the film? Women in a men's world of popular music?

3. The Philadelphia settings, New York City, the west coast, the dropout commune? A portrait of the locations of the '50s and '60s?

4. The importance of the musical score, the background music? The songs - and the range of contemporary writers with songs echoing those of the period? The hit song of `God Gives Me Strength'? The importance of the lyrics - and their commenting on the experiences of Edna/Denise?

5. Ileana Douglas and her screen presence, style? Credible as the successful songwriter? As Edna Buxton, her wealthy family, wealth in steel, place in society? Her parents and her mother wanting to control her? Her love of popular songs, entering the competition, to spite her parents? Her performance, impact, winning?

6. The irony of the prize being a confidence trick? Her going to New York City, her auditions and not being accepted? Her not fulfilling the trends of the period? Her sense of failure? Her meeting with Joel Millner? Friendship, his using her song for his group, her giving advice? His employing her, changing her name? Her moving towards success in the song writing world?

7. Howard, his talent as a songwriter, his personality? Meeting with Denise, their working together, attraction, writing team, the relationship, her pregnancy? The nature of their songs and performance? The '60s social realism? Their being banned on the radio? Joel and his continuing to help? The support from John Murray and his radio station? Playing the songs, the interviews?

8. Edna transforming herself into Denise? The meetings with Murray, the attraction? The rivalry with Cheryl? Their becoming friends? Her relationship with Howard, her pregnancy? Discovering Howard with another woman, her anger and disappointment? The abortion?

9. The passing of time, her being alone, meeting Murray while jogging, renewal of the friendship, his being married, the starting of the affair? Her love for Murray, his support of her? His inability to make the decision to stay with her? His going to Chicago? Denise and the effect? Joel and his continued friendship? The record?

10. Her singing, her meeting with Jay Phillips? His west coast and surfing background? The mid-'60s? The relationship with Phillips, falling in love with him, marrying him? Their work together, the failure of the record? Millner and his continued support - and his bankruptcy?

11. The portrait of Joel Millner, the publisher-producer of the '50s, creating groups, finding songs, setting trends and styles? His continued support and friendship for Denise? Professionally and in friendship? Introducing Jay Phillips? His bankruptcy for her?

12. The contrast with John Murray, the radio, his support, the liaison, his inability to stay with Denise?

13. Howard, his abilities, working with Denise, the potential for their marriage, his womanising, the collapse of their marriage?

14. Jay Phillips and the contrast with the west coast types, the surfies, their music? Attraction towards Denise, the record, their marrying, his drug-taking, the clashes, his disappointment with her ordinary work? His breakdown - and drowning himself?

15. Kelly Porter, the popular singer, her image? Her song - and her friend listening to it as well as the producer, each interpreting it in their own way? Her lesbian torment and the power of the song?

16. Edna and her writing easy songs, the effect of Jay's death, her feelings of guilt, her dropping out, going to the commune? Millner again coming to her help and rehabilitating her?

17. Her ultimate success, her album, `Grace of My Heart', and the song `God Give Me Strength'?