Saving Grace (2000): Dir: Nigel Cole / Cast: Brenda Blethyn, Craig Furguson, Tcheky Karyo, Valerie Edmond, Martin Clunes: Amusing yet familiar comedy about what Grace needs to be saved from. She is played by Brenda Blethyn whose husband's death results in a demand for 300 000 pounds to save her home. Apparently he jumped from a plane without a parachute, which results in his death. He was also involved in many schemes that are surfacing at the wrong time. Her Scottish gardener Matthew suggests that she grow pot. Together they will sell marijuana and split the money. Matthew's girlfriend is pregnant and warns Grace not to get him into trouble. Amusing plot boils into formula and a wayward conclusion. Director Nigel Cole does well with the humour but it is his cast that pull off the stops. Blethyn does a terrific job as someone known for goodness yet converted to wayward directions out of desperation. Craig Ferguson makes the ideal sidekick who is warned yet still gets caught up in the deception. Tcheky Karyo is winning as the drug lord countering standard material with a reaction to Blethyn that goes beyond respect. Valerie Edmond plays Furguson's girlfriend whose moral centre predicts much. Martin Clunes plays a doctor who is a friend of the Ferguson character. Worthwhile satire of society's attitude towards dope is often funny. Score: 7 / 10
Review of Saving Grace
