Grace of My Heart (1996)

77% of critics liked it
(22 reviews)
72% of users liked it
(2,417 ratings)

Illeana Douglas delivers a superb performance as Denise Waverly, a fictional singer and songwriter whose life bears more than a passing resemblance to that of real-life pop star Carole King. Edna Buxton, the daughter of a Philadelphia steel tycoon, aspires to a career as a singer, and when against… More Illeana Douglas delivers a superb performance as Denise Waverly, a fictional singer and songwriter whose life bears more than a passing resemblance to that of real-life pop star Carole King. Edna Buxton, the daughter of a Philadelphia steel tycoon, aspires to a career as a singer, and when against her mother's bidding she sings a sultry version of "Hey There (You With the Stars in Your Eyes)" (instead of Mom's choice, "You'll Never Walk Alone") at a talent contest, she wins a recording contact and moves to New York City. She cuts a record and gains a new stage name, Denise Waverly; however, she soon finds that girl singers are a dime a dozen in the Big Apple and her career as a vocalist goes nowhere. But she has a knack for writing songs, and eccentric producer Joel Milner (John Turturro) asks her to pen some songs for his upcoming projects. Teamed with Howard Caszatt (Eric Stoltz), a hipster songwriter who wants to express his political and social ideals through pop tunes, she finds both a successful collaborator and husband. While her work with Howard gains Denise writing credits on a string of hit records and respect within the industry, their marriage falls apart, and she becomes involved with Jay Phillips (Matt Dillon), the gifted but unstable leader of a popular West Coast surf music combo. Students of pop music history will have a ball with the various characters modeled after real-life rock legends, and the 1960s-style song score includes numbers written by Joni Mitchell and J. Mascis (of the band Dinosaur Jr.), as well as one-time King collaborator Gerry Goffin; a collaboration between Elvis Costello and Burt Bacharach, "God Give Me Strength," led to a full album written by the two great tunesmiths. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 56 min.
Directed By: Allison Anders
Written By: Allison Anders
Genres: Musical & Performing Arts, Drama

In Theaters: Sep 13, 1996 Wide
On DVD: Apr 18, 2000
Studio: MCA Universal Home Video

Critic Reviews

Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
The lead, Ileana Douglas, is good, but the musical film suffers from repetitive structure and lack of sufficiently interesting ideas.
Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com
An intelligent, engaging comedy-drama that will have audiences tapping their toes and running off to buy the soundtrack.
Josh Bell, Las Vegas Weekly
Sweetly nostalgic and strangely comforting.
Frank Wilkins, ReelTalk Movie Reviews
Illeana Douglas grabs onto her first starring role with passion and conviction.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Pean to creativity and a celebration of one woman's indomitable creativity.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Deb S

Grace of my Heart is loosely based on the life of real life singer/songwriter Carol King who yearns to break free of her privileged suburban upbringing to become a pop music singer but instead defers her dreams of pop stardom settling for a career as a songwriter. Moving to New… More
Grace of my Heart is loosely based on the life of real life singer/songwriter Carol King who yearns to break free of her privileged suburban upbringing to become a pop music singer but instead defers her dreams of pop stardom settling for a career as a songwriter. Moving to New York she meets famous song manager Joel Millner (John Tuturro) who helps her on the road to stardom and becomes her lifelong friend and confidant. Changing her name to Denise Waverley she writes a number of hits and becomes a famous and much sought after name in the music industry. She faces a lot of tragedies including the suicide of her husband Brian Wilson (played by Matt Dillon) but she overcomes all the hardship and gets her life back on track and produces and brings out her own new album which sells over a million copies. Illeana Douglas does a credible turn in the title role, Patsy Kensit plays Denise's longtime songwriting partner and loyal gal pal Cheryl Steed and a very young Bridget Fonda portrays the teenage closeted lesbian and pop singer Kelly Porter.
Leo L

A personal favorite. Love it.

Cast

            Illeana Douglas as Denise Waverly/Edna Buxton

            Matt Dillon as Jay Phillips

            John Turturro as Joel Millner

            Eric Stoltz as Howard Caszatt

            Bruce Davison as John Murray

            Patsy Kensit as Cheryl Steed

            Jennifer Leigh Warren as Doris Shelley

            Bridget Fonda as Kelly Porter

            Lynne Adams as Kindly Nurse

            Sissy Boyd as Dress Saleswoman

            Robert Brunner as Theremin Player

            David Clennon as Dr. "Jonesy" Jones

            Lucinda Jenney as Marion

            Albert Macklin as TV Interviewer

            Jeff McDonald as Group Member [The Riptides]

            Steve McDonald as Group Member [The Riptides]

            John Nacco as Cab Driver

            Christina Pickles as Mrs. Buxton

            Redd Kross as Group Member [The Riptides]

            Diane Robin as Waitress In Diner

            Richard Schiff as Audition Record Producer

            Chris Shearer as Security Expert

            Kristen Vigard as Denise Waverly/Edna Buxton [Singing Voice]

            Tegan West as M.C. At Talent Show

            Peter Fonda as Guru Dave

            Chris Isaak as Matthew Lewis

            J. Mascis as Riptides Engineer

            Martin Valinsky as Brill Building Songwriter

            Amanda De Cadenet as Receptionist

            China Kantner as Singer On Beach

            Shawn Colvin as Commune Guitarist

            Drena De Niro as Receptionist

            Jade Gordon as Girl In Coffee Shop

            Tracy Vilar as Annie

            Brian Reitzell as Group Member [The Riptides]

            Kathy Barbour as Sha Sha

            Natalie Venetia Belcon as Betty

            Buster as Baby Luma

            Precious Chong as Crying Woman At Funeral

            Alice Cohen as Singer In Tree

            Paige Dylan as Singer On Beach

            Christina Ehrich as Riptides Dancing Girl

            For Real as Brill Building Hallway Singers

            Melanie A. Gage as Riptides Dancing Girl

            Delia Gonzalez as Singer In Tree

            Lita Hernandez as Singer In Tree

            Alicia Jaffee as Singer On Beach

            Deidre Lewis as Girl In Howard's Bed

            Irving Eugene Washington as Stylettes Member

            Jill Sobule as Talent Show Contestant

            Brittany English Stevens as Luma

            Lita Stevens as Radio Station Receptionist

            Eric A. Stromer as Doris' L.A. Boyfriend

            Andrew Williams as Click Brothers

            Johnny Thomas III as Annie's Son

            Harry Victor as Journalist

            Kurt Jackson as Stylettes Member

            Eric Jerome Kirkland as Stylettes Member

            David Andrews as Stylettes Member

            Larry Klein as Record Producer
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