From Deseret News archives:
American Grace
And the script has holes. A filmmaker is one of those rare individuals who gets to relive his high school days and change the ending. So the movie is based in part on Taylor's own life and partly on how he says events should have gone.
Utah director/actor Richard Dutcher plays a kindly cop.
The story line follows a group of mostly mischievous California LDS teenagers through a day, starting with early morning seminary, attending school at Grace Davis High School and ending with the rescue of a classmate and death-by-train of a drug dealer.
The title draws from the school name and from an encounter between Dave and a beaten, homeless man. Dave helps the man, then gives him all his money.
As the story unfolds, two of the teens engage in vengeance against a rival high school prior to the "big game," a concert following the game and cruising scenes leading up to the snatching of their friend and the drug dealer's death. As the movie concludes, Dave and his friends learn the meaning of grace.
Some of the implausibilities in the film: The cruising scenes were a rolling car show. Nearly every car was beautifully restored or tricked out. Most teenagers can't afford vehicles like that.
Also problematic was one character's ability to call the pilot of a radio station helicopter from a pay phone, convince the pilot to land and pick him up to search for the drug dealer-kidnapper driving a customized hearse, then from the air shoot a gun out of the man's hand with a potato bazooka.
Yet Taylor scores high marks for entertainment.
American Grace
Produced by: Curtis Taylor
Starring: Richard Dutcher, Michael Sorensen, Ryan Sevy, Loren DeLong.
Rating: Not rated
Length: 88 minutes
E-mail: rodger@desnews.com
Recent comments
I've been looking for a copy of this movies also. I owned a car and...
Dennis Larson | March 21, 2009 at 10:48 p.m.
I was actually "in" the movie as well, somewhere in the crowd at the...
Robyn | Aug. 21, 2008 at 5:15 a.m.
no one I know can find a copy of this film. the only people to have...
krystal flood | June 8, 2008 at 3:49 p.m.
- At 6-5, hard time arguing firing Weis 12:24 p.m.
- $27M transfer for state Route 193 12:20 p.m.
- 'Christmas With King Family' DVD 12:16 p.m.
- Youn men help fill food-pantry needs 12:15 p.m.
- Who is Oprah's heir apparent? 11:39 a.m.
- Florida No. 1, TCU 4 in AP Top 25 11:34 a.m.
- Fed under fire, public anger mounts 11:28 a.m.
- No quagga mussels at Bear Lake 11:27 a.m.
- Former health chief: Ignore guideline 11:11 a.m.
- Sen. moderates frustrate other Dems 10:57 a.m.
- Glenn Beck to enter politics?
- BYU records with win
- Police link alcohol to murder
- Jazz outlast Pistons in overtime
- Utah Utes whip SDSU
- Cougars turn focus to dreaded rivals
- Former BYU professor remembered
- Y. coach Hill up for Portland State job
- Cougars put the fun back in football
- Kirilenko heating up for the Jazz
- Buttars wants to limit gay rights laws
194 - Palin plans tour stop in Utah
173 - Glenn Beck to enter politics?
166 - Palin's book shows she's unqualified
122 - BYU records with win
116 - Officer cleared in Cardall Taser case
103 - BYU cuts Women's Research Inst.
100 - Jazz finally win in San Antonio
98 - Utes knock off rival Aggies
93 - Huntsman pleased with Obama
87
A little after midnight Wednesday morning, about 21 hours ago as I write...
There's a lot of reason to leave your plastic home as you shop:
Reading the letter, I am not sure that it is eating that is the sin, but...
The media that Sarah criticizes so much is the same force that is providing...
We'll be back next year. I know it, and I hope that all of our coaches and...
This year TCU has proven to the world how weak the MWC is (MWC=WAC). BYU and...
I have no problem with religious people voting their conscience. I do,...
I have to agree that the comment about "the pesky seniors" is uncalled...
I was in my Latin class in High School in California. Our teacher hadn't...
Glenn Beck is Oprah's heir apparent since he has a larger following and can...
of atheism just as morally equal to spreading the Gospel of Christianity. To...
Yes, 40% of doctors polled said they will definitely or seriously consider...


