Gracie Thompson hasn't been so much brought up as dragged through life by her manipulative, drug-addled mother. Missing meals, dodging cops and landlords, changing schools the way most kids change socks, Gracie and her sister and brothers, each the product of a different dead-beat dad, seem to have hit the skids. Then Gracie makes a choice to get a job, succeed in school, and find stability. But her choice isn't just for herself. At the age of 17, she decides to be the mother, emotionally and legally, her siblings never had.
Directed by
Peter Werner
Written by
Rena Dictor Le Blanc (based in part on "Reader's Digest" article); Joyce Eliason (teleplay).
Starring
Kristen Bell (Gracie Thompson); Diane Ladd (Louela Lawson); Shedrack Anderson III (Tommy (as Shedrack Anderson)); Anne Heche (Rowena Lawson); Roberta Maxwell (Judge); Kristin Fairlie (Rose Carlton); Brian Akins (Ryan Walker); David Gibson McLean (Jonny Blicker (as David McLean)); Jack Armstrong (Robbie Locascio); Robert Seeliger (Ray); Sandra Caldwell (Mrs. Thurston); Diego Matamoros (Bob Bessey); Jackie Torrens (Sandy Jacobs); Roger Dunn (Paul Gottfredson); Cecil Wright (Mr. Hines). Please contact SFC to add other cast members and characters.
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Readers' Comments and Opinions
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A rare gem that acknowledges the importance of family
Mark Banks (United Kingdom)
Opinion: Recommended
I came across Gracie's Choice whilst browsing the TV schedules one week, and having seen its high rating on IMDB I though I should check it out - and I'm glad I did because it's now in my Top-100 films list. Director Peter Werner does a great job in depicting the anger, tensions and dilemmas that have been created in this dysfunctional family, without ever having to resort to unnecessarily graphic scenes (or language), the likes of which probably did exist in real life. The result is a film that manages to capture the gravity of what is at stake; recognising that whilst giving custody of the children over to Gracie is in no way an ideal situation, splitting the family up into numerous foster home would be a far worse route to take. I also liked it that due respect and acknowledgement were given to Gracie's grandmother's faith... albeit a faith that she found hard to put into practice.
