Grace
One couple's dream turns into the worst nightmare imaginable when their unborn child is declared dead in utero, and the devastated mother insists on carrying the stillborn baby to term. Madeline Matheson (Jordan Ladd) is eight months pregnant. She's determined to have a healthy child, and as such, she's adapted a pure-body lifestyle and decided to have a natural childbirth. Though her outspoken mother-in-law is adamant that Madeline receive standard hospital care during the delivery, the expectant mother has instead opted for the caring companionship of an experienced midwife. When the unborn baby is fatally injured during a sudden and tragic accident, Madeline remains determined to carry her stillborn daughter to term. Later, when the child is delivered, Madeline miraculously wills the tiny corpse to life. In the aftermath of the devastating experience, Madeline grows increasingly isolated from her family and friends, gradually realizing that something is terribly wrong with little baby Grace. Now, if Madeline hopes to keep Grace alive, she will be forced to make a series of dreadful sacrifices. more..
Director: Paul Solet
Starring: Jordan Ladd, Samantha Ferris, Gabrielle Rose, Malcolm Stewart, Serge Houde
In the showdown between mother and mother-in-law, the proceedings are peppered with spasm of violence that are alternately sick-funny and downright chilling, but don't cancel out the intelligence, or at least drollery, with which so much of the film is put together.
Mr. Solet does not possess anything close to Mr. Polanski's storytelling or image-making skills, but with the help of his sound crew (four people are given sound design or editing credits), he keeps you on the edge of your seat, or perhaps the edge of fleeing the theater.
Grace doesn't need a high body count to frighten, although its gore is stomach-turning. It's a horrifying meditation on the unbreakable union of mother and child.
A muddled, logic-starved provocation, Grace avoids smugness by refusing to play its body horror for sh**s and giggles, but its resonance is purely atmospheric.
Whimpers a bit like "Rosemary's Baby" and gurgles occasionally like "The Exorcist," but the video look and bare-bones craftsmanship all scream B movie.
Best Actress
Fangoria Chainsaw Awards (2010)
Best Feature Film
Gérardmer Film Festival (2009)
Best Feature Film
Neuchâtel International Fantasy Film Festival (2009)
Paul Solet
Sitges - Catalonian International Film Festival (2009)
Paul Solet
Toronto After Dark Film Festival (2009)
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