User Reviews

Charming doesn't even begin to describe "Saving Grace;" it's absolutely irresistible! Anyone who ventures into this movie will leave with their spirits soaring high (haha).

Grace Trevethyn (Brenda Blethyn) has just lost her husband, but her problems are about to get a whole lot worse. Her dearly departed has left her with no money and outstanding debts. Faced with losing everything, she has to find out a way to get a lot of cash...fast! She gets an idea when her gardener, Matthew (Craig Ferguson) asks the town-famous horticulturist to give him advice on a plant he is secretly growing. Grace immediately realizes that his plant is marijuana, so they decide to use her gardening skills to grow a lot of top-quality weed, and then sell it to pay off her outstanding debts.

The most notable quality about "Saving Grace" is its likability. Every character is extremely sympathetic, and, save for the first 20 or so minutes, the film is non-stop good cheer. Everyone wants a happy ending for everyone, even if it means turning a blind eye to some rather illegal activities.

The acting is top-notch. Brenda Blethyn is one of Britain's finest actresses, and here is why. She turns what could have been a caricature into a fully living and breathing individual. She's a nice lady, but she's not stupid. Craig Ferguson is equally amiable as Matthew. He's a deadbeat loser, but he's so likable that it doesn't matter. The rest of the ensemble cast fits in this category as well, but special mention has to go to Tcheky Karyo. The French actor always has a aura of menace about him, and that suits him well, but he also has great comedy skills.

Nigel Cole finds the perfect tone for "Saving Grace." It's all about the charm. One of the problems I have with British humor is that all the energy seems to be drained out of the film. Not so here. The film is thoroughly likable and always amusing. That's not to say that "Saving Grace" is just a likable movie that will leave you with a grin and a good feeling. While this movie is not an out and out comedy, it does boast two or three scenes that are nothing short of hysterical.

If there's any problem with the film, it's that the climax is a little confusing. The questions are answered though, and the ending boasts an unexpected twist.

See "Saving Grace," especially when you're having a bad day.

I just thought it was excellent and I still do. I'm grateful we're still able to see different stuff from what Hollywood almost floods us with. Saving Grace is smart and enjoyable - those who feel offended by the marijuana thing better go see the America's bride sort of movie.

Saving Grace also shows that a funny movie doesn't have to be stupid. I was laughing my ass off during most of it but also pondering questions about what was the female lead character supposed to do to pay her deceased husband's debts.

In a nutshell - a witty storyline with typical English humour and good acting and directing. You couldn't ask for more.

7/10.

Saving Grace is a nice movie to watch in a boring afternoon,when you are looking for something different than the regular scripts and wants to have some fun. I mean,the whole idea of this movie and all the marijuana in it is such a craziness! It was the first movie I watched with this theme(drugs/marijuana) that is not really criticizing it,only making jokes about it. Grace Trevethyn is a widow,who lives in a small town in U.K. and has many financial problems because of her dead husband, who committed suicide since he was full of debts. The problem is that Grace, who imagined to have some money saved for her, discovers that she needs to pay all of her husband's pounds in debts to not lose all of her things, specially her house that she loves so much. She never worked before, and is in a tragic situation until Matthew,her gardener who is very found of smoking pot, decides to make a partnership with her in selling marijuana in large scale.

What is so startling to me is the number of comments here. How come, 93! The film has utterly fallen into obscurity in town. I just by chance popped by a VCD shop, which is on sale, and so fortunately to have picked up this hilarious movie (73pence or US$1.29 ^_^).

The film title is just funny enough to make you associate the story with it.

Grace, played by the versatile actress Brenda Blethyn, was in financial trouble. And this small and elegant English village lady cannot but save herself by a not-so-elegant trade through the help of her own gardener and her late husband's unseen mistress in London.

I especially like the daredevil scene when Grace is fully dressed up touting her masterpiece cannabis (cultured in her own green house) to the undesirable figures in sleazy areas in London. Her act is comical, prudent and daring at the same time. I find it hard to imagine a well-dressed and French speaking Chinese grandma would approach me touting home-made grass so reeklessly in Wanchai or Mongkok.

English humour or European subtlety can never be reproduced by Hollywood, the air, the smell, everything belongs to the Brits and Europeans. Lovely small production with bold attempt.

"Saving Grace" is a light-hearted comedy/drama about a penniless widow's creative approach to saving her estate. This very British film is only a nominal production, but Brits and non-Brits alike should enjoy the wry, witty, and clever story and some fine British actors. Will be appreciated most by those who enjoy British humor.

A delightful gentle comedic gem, until the last five minutes, which degenerate into run of the mill British TV farce. The last five minutes cost it 2 points in my rating. Despite this major plot and style flaw, it's worth watching for the character acting and the unique Cornwall setting. Many fine little bits to savor, like the tense eternity we all go through waiting for the bank approval after the clerk has swiped the credit card...made more piquant when we're not - quite - sure the card is not maxed.

In the Spirit of Waking Ned Devine, Saving Grace has its own share of laughs, certainly enough to recommend this British romp. Brenda Blethyn is outstanding as Grace, a woman who suddenly finds herself broke after her husband's untimely death. She is forced to make a difficult decision to keep her financial ship above water. There is a great supporting cast here, beautiful photography of the Scotish coast and music that fits well with the story. I can't say I liked it as much as Waking Ned Devine, but I did enjoy it.

Great actors, an oscar nominee actress, stunning scenery, good strong story line and more laughs than you can fit into my new handbag (and thats quite big). This film was brilliant. It was beautifully acted in the more serious scenes and the funny moments were . .well, side splitting. I have never heard a cinema audience laugh so much, and tears were streaming down my cheeks during the 'stoned ladies in the tea shop' scene. Well done to the British film industry and to Craig Ferguson whose magic ingredients have made sure this is one of my favourite films of the year, if not of all time.

Easy to watch, simple British film with a lot of heart and weed. If you like Doc Martin, then you'll probably enjoy this. That was my main interest in watching this, as I loved the first two Doc Martin films prior to the series - and this features Dr Martin Bamford (instead of Ellingham) too.

This really picked up steam towards the end and I found myself having quite a few laughs. You don't have to use your brain, so it's the perfect choice to unwind with after a busy day or Sunday afternoon. Craig Ferguson and Brenda Blethyn had great chemistry which kept me engaged.

Keep an eye out for a hilarious pre-Black Books Bill Bailey too, who was perfectly cast in this. The Cornwall setting is of course a character all of its own too, and helps you fall in love with the small fictional town and people.

Saving Grace wasn't groundbreaking, nor even in the best films I've seen lately. But it was relaxing, simple and easy, which was exactly what I needed right now.

Saving Grace is the absolute best of British, it's hilarious, heart warming and totally zany. Blethyn dazzles as Grace, one of Britain's best, she's supported by a marvelous cast, Lesley Phillips wonderfully funny. Favourite scene has to be the two stoned ladies in the shop, it is side splitting, and worth having on repeat. The ending is absurd, but in keeping with the crazy tone of the film, another funny scene is Grace attempting to deal on the Streets.

I have a huge affection for this film, doing my finals in uni I used to have this on constantly to take my mind off the studying, it did the job.

Classic. 9/10

This movie is inspiring to anyone who is or has been in a tough jam, whether financially or emotionally. You will definitely laugh, which is the best medicine! :) Left in a bad financial situation when her husband dies, Grace has to find a new way to make some money and it's not exactly legal which adds to the humour. Even my boyfriend liked it so don't think that it's a chick-flic.

Saving Grace is a good example of the British talent in comedy film making,real good story and brilliant performances makes it an outstanding film in its genre.The location was just marvelous ,so relaxing and beautiful,well i was not sure about watching it but i am glad that finally i did and so i recommend this light hearted comedy to every fan.Nothing about the movie was below average which makes it an excellent watch.The idea of illegal farming by a grownup woman makes it damn interesting which is brightly executed here.I am a big fan of British comedies and this one proves it why..as i said that it deserves appreciation and i am sure that after watching it most will agree with me on this.

Saving Grace is surely one of the leading contenders for the 'How to Ruin an Adequate Film in the Final Few Minutes' award. Naturally if you mix a quaint Cornish village - largely populated by retired genteel ladies - with a liberal dose of marijuana, a certain amount of silliness will ensue. However, the last seven minutes of the film descend into the totally ludicrous and is not even redeemed by being particularly funny. It is a real shame, because this comedy has the potential to be every bit as good as 1998's Waking Ned Devine, which also portrayed a picturesque small village and its oddball inhabitants trying to extract themselves from a tricky situation.

The protagonist of Saving Grace is middle-aged, recently widowed Grace Trevethyn, whose husband's legacy of bad debts has forced her into an unconventional way of earning money. Helped by her gardener, Matthew, she turns her horticultural expertise to the lucrative cultivation of marijuana. Unfortunately, this leads her into confrontation with the local police, her husband's creditors and a French drug baron. . . . . . . . . . whom all turn up at her greenhouse simultaneously. The relationship and rapport between Grace and Matthew is well-portrayed, and Brenda Blethyn gets the viewer emotionally involved with her likeable character - you can really feel what she is going through.

The casting of the minor roles is excellent, even if some of them are rather outlandishly eccentric. However, the transformation of Jacques the drug lord into Grace's romantic interest is highly implausible and does not fit the tone of the movie at all. And surely hydroponics is not such a revolution in the world of cannabis growing? Sadly the film swaps gentle humour for slapstick and ends up being as fake as the marijuana plants.

Saving Grace proves once again that you can't beat a good old dose of British humour. Despite an admittedly dodgy ending, this quaint and charming story of one woman's unique method of raising much-needed money lights up (Weak pun intended) my day every time I watch it. Brenda Blethyn is faultless as always and the ensemble cast are superb. (Especially the legendary Lesley Phillips - this man deserves a knighthood! It's full of comedic gems, too, such as the doctor's 'bad news' regarding one woman's pregnancy. The post-office scene is also destined to become a classic (It's frighteningly realistic, too. I should know...)All in all, only a dope (Yes, another tragic pun) would fail to be enchanted by this wonderful little film.

This wasn't quite as good as the billing and the story almost ran on tramlines but it is amusing. All the Ealing elements are there, friendly small community, local worthy in difficulty, big bank threatening, baddies who are incompetent, a funny climax and a happy ending.

Look out for Emma Thompson's mum as a stoned shop-keeper with a strange line in headgear and Denise Coffey, an under-rated actress who I remember running home from primary school to see in 'Do Not Adjust Your set' with Eric Idle in about 1967.

Worth a look and Blethyn is good as always but not quite as good as it could have been, perhaps a tad sentimental for modern British tastes but might play well in American art houses. Nice Cornish (?) scenery.

Yet another example of what British cinema can achieve: a simple story, told and acted well. Brenda Blethyn gives a layered and warming performance as the recently widowed and financially straitened Grace, ably assisted by a solid supporting cast. The "quirky small town" card gets played to the hilt, similar to many TV series and films that have come from the British Isles in recent years (Ballykissangel, Hamish Macbeth and others come to mind). Like the forementioned, this film makes use of some ravishingly beautiful rural scenery, in this case the wet and wild Cornish coast.

Some viewers might find wholesale acceptance of cannabis use a bit challenging, others might find the ending just a little too cute and safe. But it's an enjoyable spliff, to be sure.

Brenda Blethyn is surely a force to reckon with - if she can carry a film about drugs to Sundance and push it successfully, that must mean something. And I can see why they loved it. We Brits know how to make people laugh by using extreme situations in everyday circumstances and this one catches it just right. The sense of timing in this film is perfect, and our Bren's supporters shine through - especially Clunes as the bumbling Doctor, and Craig Ferguson's mouthing off session in the pub is classic. Enjoy.

Excellent view of a mature woman, that is going to lose everything (even the pruner has a mortgage). The way she gets involved into this special "business", the innocence, and the true love that exists between the people of a little town, it's mixed perfectly to give us as result a fresh, light and funny comedy. I couldn't stop laughing with a very funny scene of two old ladies in a drugstore.

I love European films, and with movies like this one, my opinion grows stronger. A movie that I also recommend with my eyes closed, in this same genre, is Waking Ned Devine.

Saving Grace, a comedy that many friends enjoyed as much as myself. You will love it.

If you like British TV dramas and comedies you'll like this one. However, the real center of it all, is cannabis. I wouldn't encourage youngsters to see it. Wrong message.

Now. The acting sucks you right in. Ferguson is pretty much the same guy we saw on The Late Show with Craig Ferguson. It's the only time I've seen him do real acting.

Brenda Blethyn is the female lead. A delightful character. She finds herself in a spot. Ferguson comes up with a plan. She does grow the best Orchids.

I rarely watch a movie more than one. I've seen this one two or three times.

Cheers

A classic in the stoner genre. This film has all the hallmarks of good English cinema; it has a highly reputable cast, the beautiful English countryside and village locations, and a script which is witty and pithy.

As a whole, it is a sort of classy Cheech and Chong without the slap-stick. The acting is tight and the cast well selected for their roles.

There will be no great surprises to be had in the film once the plot is known, nevertheless, the dialog and performances well make up for its predictability.

Very enjoyable to those who like the genre, although probably a little pedestrian to those who don't.

Which pretty much summarizes it...

Saving Grace is simply the best comedy I've seen in a very long time. It doesn't surprise me at all it's a British film. As with those horrible US "comedies" of the last two years or so, and the German comedies not much better actually, it is refreshing to see a film with so much heart and brains again.

You could see from its premise that this would be a very original movie, but it was really so much more. Brenda Blethyn, one of my favorites since Secrets & Lies, shines again, the supporting cast does no less. The scenery is simply gorgeous (and that I say as anything but a fan of the cold, rough climate and landscape of Cornwall...), the writing's spot-on, there's not a single gag in the movie that doesn't work; suffice it to say: the rest just falls into place.

Kudos to everyone involved. I can't wait to see more gems like that in this (so far) dull movie season 2000. 10 out of 10.

One of the best films I have seen in years and years. It features Great acting. There are also lots of Wonderful plot twists. It takes place in an Interesting setting. There are plenty of Compelling character arc's. The writers actually used Intelligent dialog. There is Nice soundtrx. I Just ordered it online. I Will be happy to add it to my library. It's not a predictable film and it does not insult your intelligence like so many other formula comedy films of today. You will find it a delight especially if you spent anytime inhabiting the sixties or other times reminiscent of them. I would highly recommend it to anyone who want to settle down and watch something to make them feel gd and have a great time and lot of laughs.

I didn't want to rent this as it seemed another gimmicky type of british import. I was surprised by this film. It's funny and warm. Great script and ok acting. It's a movie my mom and grandma would like too. All around a solid piece of work. It is a cute and fun movie. I like it more than waking ned devine, a film some other posts compare it to.

...but I regret having seen it. Since the ratings on IMDb are relatively high (and they must also have been relatively high on Netflix), I guess I put it in my queue because it is advertised as a gentle comedy from the UK, a category that has produced many films I liked immensely. "Saving Grace," on the other hand, falls into the category of laugh-less comedies usually populated by Hollywood movies produced and directed by the talentless. Brenda Blethyn is a capable actress, and I have liked her in other movies. The concept -- a gardener growing marijuana to overcome the penury she finds herself confronting after her husband's death -- does not offend me. Notwithstanding the strenuous efforts on the part of the cast to produce humor, the film falls flat on its face (falling flat on its arse might have been funnier) as far as I and my wife were concerned. Be forewarned, oh gentle reader, not all offbeat British comedies succeed. This one is a dud.