Grace

Rating: ★★★★½ 

Directed By: Paul Solet

Starring: Jordan Ladd

Plot Synopsis:

Madeline Matheson is eight months pregnant and determined to deliver her unborn child, Grace, naturally. When an accident leaves Grace dead inside her, Madeline insists on carrying the baby’s corpse to term. Weeks later, when Madeline delivers, the baby miraculously returns to life… With an appetite. (Leomax Entertainment)

Review:

With all the derivative and brainless dreck that comes out every year in the Horror Genre, it’s always nice to see a film that operates as a good FILM as well as a good HORROR story.  Paul Solet‘s debut film, Grace is a slow moving, disgusting, horrific, uncomfortable and disturbing film.  It’s also one of the most beautiful films I’ve seen this year.

The reason why I love the Horror genre so much is the variety of stories that can be told.  Grace isn’t a monster movie.  It isn’t a zombie movie.  It’s a what if film.  What would you do if your child was different? Craving human blood different.  Grace explores the connection between mother and child in the context of a horror film.  How far can a mother go to take care of her child, even if the child is highly unnatural?

This is Jordan Ladd‘s (Cabin Fever, Deathproof, Hostel part II) film.  She carries it all the way through, and is a gem to watch.  Her emotions are portrayed to perfection, with subtlety.  Horror movies lend to over-acting very easily.  However, here she shows some amazing control and is perfect.  Jordan Ladd has my vote for Best Actress of 2009, if only the Oscars would honor acting in the Independent Horror genre.  Here’s to wishful thinking.

All other performances are servicable.  But no real stand outs, since this film is centered around Jordan Ladd‘s character.  One gripe would be Gabrielle Rose.  She’s the mother-in-law character and is a bit cliche and over-the-top.  Not sure if I should blame her or the director on this one, but everyone else isn’t this over-the-top.

For a first movie and a totally independent movie, Paul Solet has some chops.  This is a strongly directed film; from the controlled slow build pace, to the unsettling effects, he knows what he’s doing.  It will be fun to see him grow as a director.  Grace is the perfect movie for him not to be typecast as solely a Horror director.  There is enough to chew on in this film for non-Horror fans as well.  As long as you can stomach it.

Grace is a surprisingly good film.  Not the normal Horror fare, and that is refreshing.  In fact, 2009 has been a good year for original Horror films (even though the standard remakes have been overloading the box office).  Grace is not for those with a weak stomach, there is some truly disturbing imagery here.  But, it’s a strong, slow build of a film that is interesting and compelling throughout.  Paul Solet‘s Grace is at the top the list for best Horror films of 2009.

Rated R for bloody images, violence and some sexual content.