I love this movie so much

Such a frustrating disappointment

Don't Believe the Hype

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

I love this movie and watch it EVERY time it comes on TV, even better when it's on a premium movie channel and you don't have to put up with ridiculous commercials. Ileana Douglas is an amazing actress with both comedy and drama ability. Beautiful woman with the most amazing doe eyes. She portrays a woman struggling (as we women always seem to have to do) in a "mans" world to be a music writer. With a bad marriage under her skirt and several other issues, she knows pain and heartache all too well which gives her the ammo she needs. Not doing too well with recording her own music she needs a little more courage to put herself out there. Well, it's a great portrayal of a woman who can't seem to get a break in her personal life but flourishes as a song writer. The music is great, going from the 60's to the 70's and for someone like me who was born in '59, appreciates when music was music and you could actually stand to even listen to a little pop music. Sure, there are a few comparisons to real musicians, writers and producers like Jay (Brian Wilson), Denise/Edna (Carole King), Joel (Phil Spector)but it takes on it's own story line and you just to have to come to your own conclusion. I appreciate the story and music and hail Alison Anders as an excellent director and phenomenal writer. Go figure, this good of a movie, written and directed by a woman. Wow, imagine that!

Just wasn't my cup of tea.I didn't care for Ileana Douglas's acting.Also, I think that the time has passed where Hollywood needs to hire an actor that needs to be dubbed. There is so much talent out there who can sing AND act. It just didn't seem well done to me. Sort of like a cheaply made-for-TV movie. I didn't like the strange accent that John Turturro was doing for his character. I've seen other films that depict past years of the music business that I liked better such as "Coal Miner's Daughter" and "Ray" and "What's Love Got to Do with It" I would recommend those to anyone who want to watch a similar premise. Just my opinion.

This flavor of an era, the spirit of a moment, sensitive treatment of a fictitious woman based on some models from 20th Century pop music and New york history. The acting was excellent and the music left me wistful, relaxed and energized. It was well written. I particularly like Matt Dillon as her second husband, third lover. I saw a boyish brilliance that made her love for him totally believable. It was fun, a little spiritual and nice costumes and local flavor of New York and California. I wanted to know more. Of course, we know it was loosely based on Carol King and Carly Simon but that is besides the point. It was a movie that a young adult or middle aged woman could watch without shame. Ileana Douglas and the rest of the cast did not have to imitate life.

What fun at "Grace of My Heart" to pick out the cinema a clef references! Evoking early rock 'n' roll as nicely as one of my favorite rock movie "American Hot Wax" with wonderful cameos by Chris Isaak, Shawn Colvin, the Williams Brothers, J Mascis all playing others recognizably. The audience came out all discussing who was whom and the accuracy of depictions despite the fictive disclaimer.And this must be the first movie where the writer/director thanks her child care providers and lists them! It will be worth getting this movie on video just to slow down the credits. (originally written 11/14/1996)