It was better than I thought. Whenever I want to watch a movie I always check with IMDb before I watch it because 98% of the time they are right. In this case they were wrong. IMDb gave this movie 4.6 out of 10 stars. I gave it 7 stars. As a Christian I thought the message in this movie was very powerful, for anyone. If you're a person who cries at tear jerker movies, this one just might make you cry. I recommend this movie to everyone. The acting in this movie, except for Louis Gossett Jr, was kind of amateur, but that didn't hurt this film. This would definitely be a good movie for the whole family to sit around and see on a nice quiet evening. This movie is a must see. Now it's rare that my wife and I agree on what's a good movie and what isn't a good movie, but we both agreed that this one was good.

This is a good movie. However many who simply don't like faith-based movies will not like this one. They are also likely the ones who give it a low IMDb vote.The story plays on the core concept that goodness starts within each of us. It also builds on the white/black racial tensions in a place like Memphis, the setting for this story.A white man became a police officer after his young son was killed when a young black drug dealer was speeding away to avoid police. The druggie was convicted and served his 10-year sentence, but the father who lost his son has continued to battle inner demons.That is exacerbated when a black officer, younger than him and with less experience, gets promoted. A black officer who also happens to be a preacher, a man of faith. To compound the hurt, they were ordered to be partners for a time.The title of the story is a play on the old expression "playing the race card." Instead, the movie's message is to "play the grace card", to forgive someone rather than to hold a grudge forever.SPOILERS: The white cop has a teenage son who is a screw-up, and presently being kicked out of a private school the parents can barely afford. Then one night they surprise a burglary in progress, they go in, the white cop shots a masked man, who turns out to be his own son. The shot kills a kidney, and it is discovered that because of a defect from birth that was his only functioning kidney. He needs a transplant to stay alive. It turns out the black office/preacher is a match, and his donation keeps the boy alive. The father receives redemption also.

I finally watched this film today after trying to find time over the past two weeks. Here is the review I wrote for http://ChristianDocumentaries.Wordpress.com (strangely enough I haven't had time to review a documentary for the site.I've been meaning to see this film for the past two weeks and finally made it out today. One reason I wanted to see it was because I heard the trailer for Courageous (http://courageousmovie.com/). A movie I really can't wait to see in September.I saw this movie at 4:30 in the afternoon (it is a lot cheaper then) and I was the only one in the theater except for an older black lady who came in right as it started. That seemed appropriate considering the nature of the film.The Good:The film had some really great points about it. Most of the acting was was great. I love Louis Gosset Jr. though I must admit he was a bit more rotund than I'm used to seeing him, but he always pulls off his roll well. It was also nice to Stephen Dervan in a minor role. You'll probably remember him as one of the comic relief firefighter's in Fireproof.I think my favorite actor in this film was Dawntoya Thomason who played the role of Debra, Sam Wright's wife. I don't know if she was really the best actress, but there was something about her on the screen that really just shone through.The variations in lighting as though showed the two different families really popped out as well. I don't normally notice this too much, but since studying more about film areas like this stick out. I also must say I enjoyed the soundtrack for The Grace Card. Much like the Sherwood films much of the music was contemporary Christian (most sounded similar to Third Day or MercyMe). I'm not usually a fan of CCM but this was all well done with no "poppy" high vocals.One other great point in this film was the wonderful portrayal of a pastor (in character traits). It was really nice to see a positive impact from a man behind the pulpit. That seems to be neglected in many Christian films.The Bad:Like most Christian films it had a few week spots in some the minor characters acting. Most notably I found the Police Chiefs (I think that was his role at least) played by Bob Childers to be a bit unbelievable on the screen. I'm not trying to tear him down, but I just don't think he was right for this role.The script also had a few challenges as well. It was well done over all, but like most of the new writers (I believe the writer is actually full time in the medical field) he tried to have the characters say too much without just showing it. More than anything it came across when trying to show Mac's racism.My last two points for this section are more theologically or philosophically based. I want to be clear than many dear saints may disagree with this assessment.First, while I like the portrayal of the pastor I really was taken back by the fact that neither of the times he is shown preaching does he actually read or quote the Word of God. He talks about experience and says some fine things but unless it comes from the Scriptures it isn't preaching it is just motivational speaking. I realize time is precious in a film as well as flow, but I personally think that would have made those scenes much more powerful.Second, my biggest fault with this film was the lack of God-centered grace. The theme of the entire film was grace, but the whole time they speak of grace to fellow man and never grace from God. The only reason we can give grace to one another is because it has so freely been given to us on the cross. It is a fundamental point that I felt this movie just lacked. They mentioned Jesus plenty of times, but never explained the gospel and while that is not something necessary in Christian film I just don't get how you have a movie about grace and never show that.The Recommendation:I think this movie is really worth seeing and supporting. While the last two points above really concern me I'm hoping this film does well enough that the writer will create more films and have the opportunity to correct those errors (or at least errors in my view). If you have the chance I'd take the time and money to go out and see The Grace Card.

I have seen many Christian produced movies in my life and usually come out refreshed emotionally but the film and acting quality always leaves me frustrated. When they had the pre-screening I was reluctant to go because as an avid movie watcher I was afraid that as a church produced movie the quality would not be what I wanted. Boy was I wrong!! The entire movie I was leaning over to my friends going, look at this film quality!! The one thing I didn't like was the wife of Sam had really cheesy acting. But that was my only complaint of the entire movie. It was as if it was produced and filmed by Warner Brothers."The Grace Card" refreshed my soul and I could relate. They had topics that were real and happen on a daily basis to many people in our society. And my hopes are that people will understand that although tough things happen in our life, God will be there for us, he never gives us too much to handle, and when at times it feels like our prayers aren't answered that God has a bigger plan and that he is in control. I saw this film at the Trevecca Nazarene University pre-screening and on February 25th I WILL pay the $10.50 to go see it again. And maybe even again after that.If you are struggling with anything or just want to be rejuvenated "The Grace Card" is what you need to see!!