Locally Shot Movie Truly Moving

“The Grace Card”

I had the opportunity to attend a private preview of a Memphis movie that does not come out in theaters till February 25, 2011.

It is called THE GRACE CARD. It is the very first movie from Graceworks Pictures located right here in Shelby County. Graceworks is the vision of Memphis optometrist Dr. David Evans, who directed and also served as the executive producer of THE GRACE CARD. Calvary Pictures is a ministry of Calvary, a Church of the Nazarene, led by Pastor Lynn Holmes in Cordova.

The church-based moviemaking ministry that spawned Fireproof inspired Memphis' own Calvary Church to make this movie.

It is about two Memphis policemen who have very different backgrounds and beliefs. And they have one other difference—the color of their skin.

Set in present day Memphis, we first see a Caucasian father endure the tragedy of losing a child senselessly. It is clear, as we fast-forward about 17 years; this event shaped him almost exclusively. He is now a Memphis cop that reminded me a lot of the type of cop that the O.J. Simpson defense team made Mark Fuhrman out to be. Angry. Racist. Distant. Bitter.

Then, thanks to a supervisor (played by Shelby County Commissioner, Chris Thomas) this atheistic racist cop is paired with--of all people—an African American part time preacher.

While award-winning actor Louis Gossett, Jr. maybe the only face or name you will recognize in this moving drama, the acting by amateurs is still superb.

There is a transparency in the way the home life of these two men is portrayed that seems so real. It is like you are a fly on the wall of their homes. Troubles with a rebellious teen, struggles with money and the pressure of career plans all are laid bare, with a ring of truth. While the movie earned a PG-13 rating due to its police action, I still believe it to be a family movie suitable for kids several years younger.

But forgiveness and grace are not normal Hollywood commodities. The movies will not have a large release, but neither did similar movies like Facing the Giants and Fireproof. If you want to see if it is near you, see the website at www.TheGraceCardMovie.com.

If you don't see your town on the list, contact actionsquads@providentfilms.org to help bring the theater to your town.

Grace is not easy and it is not cheap, though desired by us all. Living here in Shelby County, we know how often the so-called “race card” is played…What about playing a “Grace Card?”

You won’t regret it.