Grace of My Heart (1996)

Director:

Allison Anders

Writer (WGA):

Allison Anders (written by)

Release Date:

13 September 1996 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Music

Tagline:

For years her songs brought fame to other people. Then she found her own voice.

Plot:

An aspiring singer, Denise Waverly/Edna Buxton, sacrifices her own singing career to write hit songs that launch the careers of other singers...

Plot Keywords:

Rock Band | Adultery | Funeral | Topless | Beach House

Awards:

3 nominations

Cast

Illeana Douglas	...	Denise Waverly / Edna Buxton
Sissy Boyd	...	Dress Saleswoman
Christina Pickles	...	Mrs. Buxton
Jill Sobule	...	Singing Contestant
Jennifer Leigh Warren	...	Doris Shelley
Tegan West	...	M.C. at Talent Show
Richard Schiff	...	Audition Record Producer
Natalie Venetia Belcon	...	Betty
Kathy Barbour	...	Sha Sha
John Turturro	...	Joel Millner
Diane Robin	...	Waitress in Diner
Eric Jerome Kirkland	...	Stylette
Irving Eugene Washington III	...	Stylette
Kurt Jackson	...	Stylette
Michael Angelo Saulsberry	...	Stylette (as Michael Saulsberry)

MPAA:

Rated R for language, and for some sexuality and drug content.

Runtime:

116 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS

Certification:

Iceland:L | South Korea:15 | USA:R (certificate #34772) | Argentina:13 | Australia:MA | Germany:12 | Spain:13 | UK:15

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Cappa Production

Trivia:

According to director Allison Anders (on her commentary sound track for the DVD) it was a first for a movie to show a woman's waters breaking (in the recording studio scene - however such an event had already been depicted as early as Cinderella Liberty (1973)) as well as having her sweater getting wet because it was time to breastfeed her baby. Allison Anders had also asked for "child care" to be listed in the end credits.

Goofs:

Continuity: Jay Phillips' sunglasses during TV interview.

Quotes:

Cheryl: Come on girls. This is supposed to be upbeat, not uptight. Get happy.

Movie Connections:

References Oklahoma! (1955)

Soundtrack:

A Boat on the Sea

I love this movie!

I love rock and roll movies set in the 60s, and this is a fun one. Illeana Douglas is wonderful as Edna Buxton/Denise Waverly, and yes, she's only loosely based on Carole King (makes me think a bit of Carly Simon, too, since she's an heiress). I think John Turturro is a hoot as Joel Millner, of course, he's always great. Eric Stoltz and Matt Dillon are impressive, too, although the movie loses some impetus and impact when Denise moves to California with Jay (Dillon's character). Still, it's one of my favorites--I just received my DVD the other day and watched all of the special features that evening. It's a fun (albeit sometimes sad)movie!!!