Review: Grace Of My Heart

DVD: Grace of my Heart (1996)

Loosely based on Carole King’s life story, Grace of My Heart follows Edna Buxton; (Illeanna Douglas) a singer from a wealthy Philadelphia family, who instead of becoming the musician she wants to be, ends up writing hit records for other artists in the Brill Building in New York. Along the way are lovers, kids, heartache and the rather lovely Matt Dillon and Eric Stoltz as two of her husbands.

Re-released to coincide with the stage play about Carole King, Ileana Douglas gives a really great performance as Edna (who later changes her name to Denise) that actually gains a lot from her quirky looks. If it was remade the producers would no doubt put a current hotty who can sing in this film, instead of someone who slightly resembles a horse (sorry Ileana). The fact that Ileana, although gorgeous and a fantastic actress, isn’t your typical ‘beauty’ does give this story an interesting theme that I believe resonates today, especially with our media and TV constantly saturated with The X Factor and The Voice’s instant ‘stars’. Her talent is undermined by her looks (Carole King herself was no beauty but was/is probably one of the greatest modern songwriters ever).

The story itself is more or less melodrama, but it’s well done and only towards the end does the story become a little TOO long and you wish she’d finally get to make ‘The Album’. I really enjoyed it, and the soundtrack is great too. Oh and one last thing, if you see Ileana and wonder where you’ve seen her before, Robert De Niro once took a good chunk out of her in Cape Fear!

Review by Tina (co-host of 60 Minutes With) from a disc kindly supplied by Aim Publicity.