A FALL FROM GRACE
US, 2020, 122 minutes, Colour.
Crystal Fox, Phylicia Rashad, Bresha Webb, Mehcad Brooks, Cicely Tyson, Tyler Perry, Matthew Law, Donovan Christie Jr, Adrian Pasdar.
Directed by Tyler Perry.
Tyler Perry has his own studios and is a prolific writer and director of films, noted for his Maedea series, very popular amongst African-American? audiences.
While he works with African- American stories and characters, some of his dramas have had wider popularity, especially with his association with Netflix.
In its way, this is a universal story, not dependent on race, but with a strong cast of African- American actors, Crystal Fox in the central role, and an opportunity to see Phylicia Rashad after her television success on the Cosby Show. Veteran actress, Cicely Tyson, age 94, has a strong cameo role. Tyler Perry is the head of a law firm. Bresha Webb is the aspiring lawyer who is asked to take on a case and persuade the defendant to plead guilty. Adrian Pasdar is the white prosecutor.
The film opens with a suicide and the young lawyer’s husband as the negotiator. While this is a prologue, it recurs at the end with some force.
The basic story is told in contnuous time, the interviews by the lawyer with the defendant, and with her best friend (Phylicia Rashad). The defendant, Grace, tells her story in flashback, focusing on her divorce, her living alone, her work, encountering an artist photographer, his courting her, and their marriage, and then her complete disillusionment.
The young lawyer fails at her attempt to defend her client, demands further interrogation of a witness, is charged with contempt of court by the judge.
The solution takes place rather quickly at the end of the film, some twists, especially concerning the best friend, that audiences would not have anticipated. And this leads to further complications.
Which means that this is an interesting murder investigation film and court case.
1. The title? The focus on Grace herself and her experience? The focus on Jasmine, the challenge to her legal career, the seeming failure on being fired? Vindication?
2. The setting in the legal office? Homes? Banks, art galleries, courtroom scenes? The musical score?
3. The opening, the woman on the balcony, the police trying to talk down, the helicopter light, her jumping? The irony of Jasmine’s husband being there? The irony at the end with the information about woman on the balcony and the other exploited women?
4. The law, Rory, in charge, tough with assigning the case to Jasmine, his wanting a plea, assumption of guilt? His criticisms of Jasmine? In the court, his disappointment, his threats to her? Visiting her in jail? His change of heart at the end?
5. Jasmine, her relationship with her husband, the hopes for a family, her legal studies and work, timid yet determined, her relationship with the fellow workers, discussions and jokes, their collaboration with on the case?
6. Going to visit Grace? Middle-aged, resigned? Admitting her guilt? Not wanting her son involved? The flashbacks, her husband and his infidelity, the divorce, her working on the bank, her quiet life? Meeting Sarah, the friendship with Sarah, Sarah encouraging her to go out, reticence, the photos, going to the Gallery, talking to Shannon and her perspective on women taking the photos and sensitivity? Discovery of the truth, her leaving? His tracking her down? The dates, her control, the exhilaration, a new lease on life, his proposal, her acceptance, the marriage, the joy, the sexual vitality? All going well?
7. Jasmine, her listening, her thinking Grace could not be a killer? The discussions with her husband? The issue of the plea, Grace accepting her guilt, the possibility for the plea? Jasmine and the changing of her mind? Rory and his anger, his visit to Grace? Not approving a trial for grace?
8. Jasmine, going to visit Sarah, Sarah as genial, friendly to Grace, supportive of her? Willing to testify in court?
9. Grace, the discovery of the loss of the money, the mortgage, discussions with the bank officials, the signature, the ruined house? Puzzled, talking with Shannon? The revelation of Shannon with the women, his turning on Grace?
10. Shannon, the photography, Ethiopia, his charm, courting Grace, the outings, the proposal? The revelation of the truth, the law, his right to the money, to the house? Bringing in women? Taunting Grace? Her upset, the baseball bat and hitting him, dragging the body away? Her driving into the countryside? Her guilt – but their being no body?
11. The court case, the jury, the prosecutor and his self-confidence, appeal to the jury? Looking down on Jasmine? Jasmine, her hesitations, the judge and his strictness? The addresses to the jury, the interrogation of the witnesses, the creation of doubt? Sarah coming to the stand, the threat of perjury, a statement that Grace had committed the murder?
12. Jasmine upset, wanting to call Sarah again, her stubbornness with the judge, contempt of court, behind bars, the apology and going home?
13. The verdict, life imprisonment, the media response?
14. Grace noting the pendant with Sarah, suspicions? Jasmine, her decision to go to the house, the encounter with Alice, Alice’s address, Jasmine’s suspicions? Sarah out, going into the house, the encounter with Shannon, his violence towards her? The trapped women and the racket? Her husband getting the notification, coming to the house, Sarah not letting him in, the door, his finding Jasmine, the clash with Shannon? Handcuffing Sarah – but her escape?
15. The court, the vindication, free? The triumphant Jasmine, Rory’s approval? But the glimpse of Sarah, after the revelation that she was Shannon’s mother, their connivance over the years to get the money, the charges against him and his exploiting of women in many states, Sarah going back to her ways and infiltrating her way into the house?
