GRACE UNPLUGGED
US, 2013, 102 minutes, Colour.
AJ Michalkal, James Denton, Kevin Pollak, Shawnee Smith, Michael Welch, Jamie Grace, Emma Catherwood, Chris Ellis, Pia Toscana.
Directed by Brad J.Silverman.
This is a faith-based film, faith as Faith. It is also intended as inspirational.
Grace is the name of the central character, the daughter of a famous rock singer of the past who, after a physical collapse with drugs, saved by his agent, discovers God and becomes a singer preacher. The film traces briefly Grace's birth and her life to age 18 when she sings with her father in church, but at one stage showing more energy and verve then her father anticipates. He is very stern, controlling his daughter, she feeling she is not listened to, rather wilful like him, deciding to leave for a career in popular music.
The catalyst for this is a visit by the agent, played by Kevin Pollak, who offers father and daughter a concert tour but is severely turned down by the father.
The screenplay is an attempt to draw a young audience, faith audience certainly, but also those who don't share faith but are interested in the process of becoming a pop star. Grace has some success but also faces the challenge of exploitation, her naivete not appreciating manipulation, succeeding but not being satisfied. She is helped by an intern, Quentin, Michael Welch, who becomes a confidant invites her to a meal with his parents, the family having been at a service with Grace and her father and its having a profound effect on him.
Grace has to face the dilemma of wanting success and some of the emptiness when success is achieved, rediscovering faith, reconciling with her father.
Satisfying for a faith-audience but not persuasive for those who don't share this faith. The film was written and directed by Brad J. Silverman who also directed religious films, No Greater Love as well as the Selfie Dad.
1. The impact of the faith film? Inspirational? Explicit religious themes? Themes of God and faith?
2. The Alabama settings? The household, the church and the ceremonies? Transition to Los Angeles, Grace looking out the taxi window, the sights of Los Angeles, Sapphire and the record company, offices, studios, publicity? Life in Los Angeles, Quentin and his family? On tour? Realistic settings for the music industry?
3. The music and songs, religious songs and performance in church, the congregation and lively response? Misunderstood, Johnny and his singing, Grace and her singing? Her verve and vitality? The range of other songs, performance, tours?
4. Grace, the collage of her childhood, growing up? At 18? Strong-minded? Singing with her father, relationship with him, with her mother? Her performance in the church, her father's reaction? His sternness, her going out, her lies, not filling up the car with petrol, her father making her conform? The decision to leave?
5. The visit by Frank, the background with Johnny, Johnny and his career, Misunderstood? His life, drugs, and Frank, Frank helping him to survive? The support of his wife? Frank and his proposition, the tour, Johnny turning him down?
6. Grace in Los Angeles, star-struck? The visit to Frank, his taking up her cause, finding her accommodation? The plans for Misunderstood, performance in the club, impressing the CEO? Plans, possible tours, opening for another singer, an album?
7. The show business background, the introduction to Jay, radio and television, show business, his plans, her overhearing them, leaving in disgust? The entry of Kendra, Kendra and her plans, make up, fashion, friendship but Grace overhearing her criticisms? The interview for the media, talking about her vision, plans, bond with her father?
8. The contrast with Quentin, awkward, finding him in her room, the meetings, inviting her to the family dinner, her enjoyment? His being a confidant?
9. Grace and the possibilities for corruption, drink, sex, fame and her resisting? Quentin and his book, talking about faith, his family hearing her father and meeting her, his urging her to faith in Jesus Christ, the God focus? Her reading the book?
10. Her failure to write the song? Her father watching the video, her mother's support, his coming, seeing her perform?
11. Her continued talking with Frank, being the business agent, yet continually supporting her? Plans? The fact that she was to open with Renae? The meeting with Renae and Renae's philosophy of success?
12. The tour, the change of heart, meeting her parents? Her return, singing in the church, the pastor and his support, the song and its lyrics, apology, to Rachel, reconciliation with her parents?
13. Possibilities opening, two years later, singing with her father, the religious dimensions, the support of Quentin?
14. The impact for the faith-audience? Admiring inspiration? The impact on non-religious audiences and their dismissing sentiment and religion?
