Saving Grace (2000) DVD Reviews

Starring	Brenda Blethyn, Craig Ferguson, Martin Clunes, Tchéky Karyo
Director	Nigel Cole
Genres	Comedy

Critics' reviews (6) of Saving Grace
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An updated, Ealing-style comedy, with marijuana instead of whisky galore and Brenda Blethyn in the role that, 50 years ago, would have gone to Margaret Rutherford. The star of Secrets and Lies and Little Voice is the eponymous Grace, a recently widowed housewife whose late husband has left her with a mountain of debts to pay. The only way to keep her beautiful Cornish mansion is to grow ganja with the aid of her Scottish handyman, Craig Ferguson (The Big Tease). A host of familiar TV faces (Martin Clunes, Leslie Phillips, Diana Quick) jockey for position, but the screenplay (a joint effort by Ferguson and Mark Crowdy) is more juvenile than risqué and makes tittering pot-shots at the expense of credible characterisation and plot development.
- Radio Times
- Posted 29 Jan 2006
"...With its lush photography and pleasing romantic angle, this old-fashioned comedy is funny enough to generate a buzz..." -- 3 out of 4 stars
- USA Today
- Posted 11 Mar 2005
"...SAVING GRACE is good-hearted and all in good fun, told -- and enjoyed -- in a relaxed state of mind..."
- Box Office
- Posted 11 Mar 2005
Most helpful members' reviews (3) of Saving Grace
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17 out of 23 people found this review helpful

[Highly rated reviewer]

Tiresome whimsy

A perfect example of a predictably whimsical piece of English cosiness. If undemanding, formulaic cuteness is what you enjoy watching, by all means go for this film: there are worse ways to waste an hour and a half. But there are a great many better ways too.

It's a little sad to see actors of the calibre of Brenda Blethyn in this sort of combination of ITV comedy-drama and a Hovis ad.

British scripwriting has the potential to be a hell of a lot better than this work.
- - Rehan from London
  - Posted 18 Nov 2005 18:10
10 out of 11 people found this review helpful

Time well spent

What the British do best a whimsical feel good comedy which has a strong plot and characters you will care about. Within the eccentricities of a small English town, Grace has to find a way of making money fast when her bounder of a husband dies and leaves her as good a penniless. But Grace is not trained for anything in particular or is she?
- - A customer from Harrow, London
  - Posted 20 Jul 2004 09:35
9 out of 10 people found this review helpful

Quirky British comedy, done to perfection, great acting from all the cast. One not to be missed.
- - A customer from BURTON ON TRENT
  - Posted 09 Sep 2004 08:38
Most recent members' reviews (2) of Saving Grace
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1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

The charm of Ealing and days gone by.

Beautiful film. Light and fluffy, funny and charming. All wrapped up in a vintage box stamped 'Property of Ealing Studios'.

Cornwall is a stunning part of the UK and is truly conveyed by Saving Grace's wonderfull cinematography and delightful directing.

The cast shine as bright as the Cornish sunshine in this film. Bill Bailey is excelent and playing none other than, well 'Bill Bailey' for all but the name. 'Look we should have took the B352!'

If you want a comedy that's 'chilled' and fun... seek out this little bit of Cornish treasure.
- - christopher williams from Paignton, S Devon
  - Posted 24 May 2005 15:20
17 out of 23 people found this review helpful

[Highly rated reviewer]

Tiresome whimsy

A perfect example of a predictably whimsical piece of English cosiness. If undemanding, formulaic cuteness is what you enjoy watching, by all means go for this film: there are worse ways to waste an hour and a half. But there are a great many better ways too.

It's a little sad to see actors of the calibre of Brenda Blethyn in this sort of combination of ITV comedy-drama and a Hovis ad.

British scripwriting has the potential to be a hell of a lot better than this work.
- - Rehan from London
  - Posted 18 Nov 2005 18:10

17 out of 23 people found this review helpful

[Highly rated reviewer]

Tiresome whimsy

A perfect example of a predictably whimsical piece of English cosiness. If undemanding, formulaic cuteness is what you enjoy watching, by all means go for this film: there are worse ways to waste an hour and a half. But there are a great many better ways too.

It's a little sad to see actors of the calibre of Brenda Blethyn in this sort of combination of ITV comedy-drama and a Hovis ad.

British scripwriting has the potential to be a hell of a lot better than this work.
- - Rehan from London
  - Posted 18 Nov 2005 18:10
10 out of 11 people found this review helpful

Time well spent

What the British do best a whimsical feel good comedy which has a strong plot and characters you will care about. Within the eccentricities of a small English town, Grace has to find a way of making money fast when her bounder of a husband dies and leaves her as good a penniless. But Grace is not trained for anything in particular or is she?
- - A customer from Harrow, London
  - Posted 20 Jul 2004 09:35
9 out of 10 people found this review helpful

Quirky British comedy, done to perfection, great acting from all the cast. One not to be missed.
- - A customer from BURTON ON TRENT
  - Posted 09 Sep 2004 08:38
8 out of 8 people found this review helpful

Excellent

I added this to my selection as it was one of the movies I was always meaning to get around to watching. Now that I have I wish I hadnt left it so long. Its a great way to spend a couple of hours, very funny with well observed characters (if somewhat stereotypical) and a brilliant cameo from Bill Bailey as an out of his depth stoner. Well worth a watch.
- - A customer from Salisbury, England
  - Posted 16 Aug 2004 18:59
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful

You won’t regret it!

This has to be one of the most underrated films, it is just so funny. Brenda Blethen is, as always, understated and has perfect timing. The rest of the cast are all just as good. And the setting is great. See this film you won’t regret it!
- - Ambrose from Gtr Manchester
  - Posted 20 Jan 2004 01:10
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful

++++++EXCELLENT+++++++

Just absolutely brilliant, superb cast, superb story, ends to quick for my liking as I loved the film, georgeous Brenda Blethyn and those ladies in the local shop - you must see the film, can not say any more but you will not be disapointed,
- - Terry Wright from Bracknell
  - Posted 11 Dec 2004 10:45
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful

Funny, charming film

I loved this film - true it’s a bit patchy in terms of plot and acting, but it’s a definite cheer-up film and has been underrated by the critics.

Recommended if you fancy a laugh, it has broad appeal for most ages. Also, it inspired the recent TV series "Doc Martin" - so if you liked that, you'll like this.
- - skeadugenga from Berks
  - Posted 04 Jan 2005 12:53
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful

fantastic

Very entertaining. This is a great feelgood movie for a Sunday evening.
- - A customer from London
  - Posted 20 Nov 2004 10:23
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful

potent comedy!

the frase 'merry widow' springs to mind! faltless performances from both brenda blethyn and craig ferguson makes this one unmissable. if you dont laugh at this one you better check you still have a pulse!
- - A customer from staffordshire
  - Posted 26 Jan 2005 21:12
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful

Excellent...funny to the last moment

Want a bit of clever english humor with an unexpected ending, a great cast and loads of laughs...then this one is for you. Have enjoyed watching it immensly (3 times)
- - A customer from Sussex
  - Posted 03 Mar 2005 14:00

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Critics' reviews (6)
An updated, Ealing-style comedy, with marijuana instead of whisky galore and Brenda Blethyn in the role that, 50 years ago, would have gone to Margaret Rutherford. The star of Secrets and Lies and Little Voice is the eponymous Grace, a recently widowed housewife whose late husband has left her with a mountain of debts to pay. The only way to keep her beautiful Cornish mansion is to grow ganja with the aid of her Scottish handyman, Craig Ferguson (The Big Tease). A host of familiar TV faces (Martin Clunes, Leslie Phillips, Diana Quick) jockey for position, but the screenplay (a joint effort by Ferguson and Mark Crowdy) is more juvenile than risqué and makes tittering pot-shots at the expense of credible characterisation and plot development.
- Radio Times
- Posted 29 Jan 2006
"...With its lush photography and pleasing romantic angle, this old-fashioned comedy is funny enough to generate a buzz..." -- 3 out of 4 stars
- USA Today
- Posted 11 Mar 2005
"...SAVING GRACE is good-hearted and all in good fun, told -- and enjoyed -- in a relaxed state of mind..."
- Box Office
- Posted 11 Mar 2005
Genial comedy that stretches its one joke, of genteel drug dealers and users, further than it can go.
- Halliwell's Film Guide
- Posted 02 Mar 2006
"...A crowd-pleasing comedy....Blethyn's solid-gold charm turns SAVING GRACE into a comic high..."
- Rolling Stone
- Posted 11 Mar 2005
"...Mr. Ferguson is a leading contender for the title of World's Most Amusing Scot..."
- New York Times
- Posted 11 Mar 2005