Grace – Blu-ray Review

The Film:

Paul Solet’s debut feature, Grace, is a morbidly restraint picture, tackling a subject matter that should not be watched by expecting mothers. It’s sort of a gore Rosemary’s Baby, but never is gross for the sake of being gross. The film takes the innocent vibe of a mother (Jordan Ladd), who so desperately wants a child, and injects a rancid smell of grotesque creepiness. That’s a compliment, by the way.

Grace isn’t an easy film to watch, mostly due to the subject matter of a mother giving birth to a stillborn baby, an ultimate fear if there ever was one for a soon-to-be mom. I appreciated it’s take, and how Solet doesn’t cheapen anything about the film’s subject matter. His hand is sure, and it feels like a old fashion horror film, rather a modern one, as it does away with jump scares and loud noises. The nature of the baby’s sudden resurrection is stuff of B-movie conventions, but what keeps it above those expectations, is the handling of the mother, Ladd’s character.

This is where it feels like a modern Rosemary’s Baby. Rosemary knows she gave birth to a child of Satan, but her maternal instincts kick in, and despite her child’s origins, her love for the child aids in its protection. Same thing here. Madeline is so determined not to lose the child, and is overly protective. Solet gives us a reason to side with her, despite the child’s questionable existence. Flies swarm around the crib. Odd bleeding on the body. There is never an ounce of exploitation in the film, as Solet doesn’t give situations or characters those one-dimensional attributes.

Grace was giving the reputation of a gross-out gore film, due to its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival, where some people were claimed to faint during the screening. Such publicity is great for a film, and I wouldn’t make fun of a person if they closed their eyes during some scenes, or were skirmish during others. It is rough, due to scenes of bleeding during Madeline’s pregnancy, and this is the stuff most expecting parents would run for the hills after seeing. The film doesn’t shy away for what potential it’s subject can give, and that isn’t exploitive, it’s just smart writing. Grace isn’t a scare-a-minute film, so for some horror fans, adjust your expectations. I won’t deny it’s ick factor, but it’s for that reason why its replay value is slim.

Grace is a film with interesting ideas and subtext, a rare breathe of fresh air into the evil baby genre.

The Blu-ray:

Audio/Video: I wouldn’t call this transfer problematic, but there is quite a bit of noise in the picture, mostly due to it’s low budget nature, but it’s a shame even on a newer film, Anchor Bay deliver an average presentation. Outside of Hellraiser (here), I’ve been rather saddened by the lack of a spectacular Blu-ray release, in terms of video, from them. The details are high though, and don’t be deterred away from its high def release, but realize it isn’t a superb transfer, just a decent one.

The audio is fine, with some decent use of bass and rear speaker activity. While not a sonic assault like some horror films, it adequately presents Solet’s intentions in the best possible manner.

Commentaries: The first track is exclusive to Blu-ray, and it has Paul Solet and Jordan Ladd. It’s a light-hearted affair, with some fun anecdotes and tidbits. The second track has Solet again, but with his DP Zoran Popovic and Adam Green. This track is a must listen, as it delves deeper into the production and making of, filled with a lot of film making discussions and working on a indie. Good stuff.

Sadly, the rest of the extras are in 480p.

Grace at Sundance: This is a must watch as it features Solet in interviews and in a QandA after the Sundance screening, talking about the film, its critical reactions and other tidbits.

Grace: Conception: Here, Solet recalls the script writing process and the nature of what worked.

Grace: Delivered: Running a little over a half-an-hour, this features some behind-the-scenes footage as we seen how the film is being made.

Grace: Family: This is a short discussion on what sets Grace apart from other horror films.

The Look of Grace: A nice piece on the visual presentation Solet went for on the film.

Scoring Grace: I love pieces on composers, and this is another good one featuring Austin Wintory, as he talks about his work on the film.

Trailer

Conclusion: Grace is a unique film, a shining example of the great American horror films we’ve been getting now, and Solet is now a director of interest. Anchor Bay delivers a decent Blu-ray, with good extras.

The Film: Rating:

The Blu-ray: Rating:

Be sure to catch Serena Whitney’s interview with director Paul Solet here!

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