|
 GRACIE
by Jane Louise Boursaw
MPAA Rating: PG-13
for brief sexual content.
Suggested Ages: 12+
Released in Theaters: June 1, 2007
Reel Rating: 3 out of 4 Reels
Should you bring the
kids? Yes, but I don't think this movie will hold kids' attention unless
they're heavy into soccer. For more info, see "Bringing the Kids" below.
THE STORY:
This movie centers on the Bowens, a middle-class family living in South
Orange, New Jersey. The year is 1978, and Bryan (Dermot Mulroney) is a
former soccer star who's obsessed with training his three boys to play the
game.
Eldest son, Johnny (Jesse
Lee Soffer) is the star of his high school soccer team and destined for
greatness. Meanwhile, the women in the family -- mom Lindsay (Elisabeth Shue)
and daughter Gracie (Carly Shroeder) -- are shoved to the sidelines. Gracie
love soccer, but "it's not for girls." And Lindsay wanted to be a doctor,
but settled for nurse instead.
Gracie is a tomboy and has
a talent for soccer, but she's consistently shut out of her dad's backyard
training sessions. But Johnny looks out for her and encourages her to play,
even though he knows it's strictly a boys' game.
When Johnny is killed in a
car crash, the family is devastated. Bryan trashes the makeshift soccer goal
in the backyard, and it crumbles in a sad heap over the winter. But Gracie
has a flash of inspiration and says SHE wants to play on the high school
team in Johnny's place. Her parents scoff at the idea, and the kids at
school especially the soccer team are even less thrilled. Carly's best
friend says she'll be classified a lesbian if they hang out together.
Still, Gracie shoulders on,
training in her off-time. Finally, her dad comes around and starts training
her. They have to petition the school board for her to play on the team, and
well, you know the rest of the story.
 Based
on the real-life story of the Shue family, this movie has some good acting
especially Carly Shroeder, whom I've admired since she played Kin Shriner's
daughter on "General Hospital". Still, it sinks into melodramatic sappiness,
and you can see every plot point coming a mile away.
It also ticks me off that
the mom in the family doesn't stand up for her daughter. She's like this
marshmallow woman who teaches her daughter it's ok not to follow your
dreams. I grew up in the 1970's, and the women's movement was much further
along in my neck of the woods. (And I'm in conservative fly-over country, so
that's saying something.)
BRINGING THE KIDS:
PRESCHOOLERS (ages 2-5):
Too intense for preschoolers. A better get-moving option is "Lazy Town," now
playing on Nick Jr. Eight-year old Stephanie lives in Lazy Town, where shes
caught between a health-nut superhero and the world's laziest bad guy. This
is a colorful show with a good message about staying healthy and finding
balance.
GRADE-SCHOOLERS (ages 6
- 10): With a PG-13 rating for brief sexual content, this movie really
isn't for grade-schoolers. After her brother dies, Gracie goes off the deep
end, starts wearing short skirts and hanging out with a guy who's only
interested in one thing. The storyline is also pretty dramatic for kids in
this age range. A better option is the G-rated "Air Bud: World Pup," one of
the many Air Bud sequels. This time, he's into soccer!
TWEEN / TEEN (ages 11+):
This movie will probably score with kids 12 and older who are really
into soccer. Otherwise, I'm not sure it'll hold the attention of most kids.
SCORE: 3 out of 4 Reels.
JANE'S REEL RATING
SYSTEM:
One Reel Pathetic. Even
the Force can't save it.
Two Reels Tolerable. Coulda been a contender.
Three Reels Thought-provoking. Something to talk about.
Four Reels Wow! The stuff dreams are made of.
Read my other reviews
HERE.
|
