Watch Saving Grace B. Jones

Saving Grace B. Jones is an emotional drama set in the small town of Zion, Indiana during the1960s. The story revolves around a tightly knit group of friends and the arrival of a mentally unstable woman named Grace B. Jones (Tatum O'Neal). The movie begins with Grace returning to her hometown after several years in a mental institution. Her childhood friend, Emma (Penelope Ann Miller), invites her to stay with her family until she gets back on her feet. However, not everyone in the town is happy to see Grace back, especially Emma's brother, Pete (Michael Biehn). Pete and Grace have a tumultuous past, and Pete is convinced that having Grace around will only bring trouble.

As the story progresses, we learn more about Grace's troubled past and why she was institutionalized. The movie successfully navigates serious topics like mental health, domestic abuse, and racism with care and compassion, making sure that the audience doesn't feel uncomfortable or overwhelmed.

The movie's strongest point is the relationship between Emma and Grace. Emma is a dutiful daughter and wife who has always played by the rules, but her bond with Grace forces her out of her comfort zone. Through Grace's wild stories, Emma begins to question her own life and the decisions she made in the past. Tatum O'Neal shines as Grace, bringing depth, vulnerability, and humor to her character. Emma's husband, John (Joel Gretsch), and her children, Mary Elizabeth (Evie Thompson), Bo (Bailey McCormack), and Will (Preston Bailey), are also well-rounded characters who contribute to the film's emotional weight.

The cinematography and set design successfully transport the audience back to the 1960s. The costumes, music, and small-town scene make the audience feel like they are a part of the story. The film's critical moments are well-paced, and the use of flashbacks provides context and clarity to ongoing events.

Director Connie Stevens brilliantly portrays the era's gender roles and highlights the women's strength and toughness despite their situation. The movie also highlights the racial divide in the southern United States at that time, portraying a message of unity that is just as important today.

The acting in Saving Grace B. Jones is fantastic, with each cast member delivering a solid performance. Michael Biehn's portrayal of Pete, Emma's brother, is particularly noteworthy. Pete's tough exterior covers up deep-seated anger and pain, and Biehn effectively navigates his character's complex emotions.

In conclusion, Saving Grace B. Jones is an emotive and powerful film that manages to tackle several serious topics without sacrificing its emotional core. The movie's themes of friendship, family, loyalty, and forgiveness are universal messages that make the movie worth watching. The movie's strong performances, excellent screenplay, and period elements all come together to create a gripping and emotionally satisfying experience.

Saving Grace B. Jones is a 2009 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 56 minutes. It has received poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.3 and a MetaScore of 24.