Collateral damage

DEEP AS WE ARE in the Iraq War cycle of films, there hasn't been much examination of what happens after the knock on the door comes, and the door opens to reveal military messengers who don't even need to speak in order to convey the news. A son, daughter, husband of wife has been killed in action, and all that's left to do is ... what? Cry? Collapse? Shake a fist in the air and curse the architects of war?

Or go into shock and book a trip on the river of denial. That's the path John Cusack takes in Grace Is Gone, a maudlin, meditative portrait of the aftermath of The Worst Fear actually happening. Cusack is Stanley Phillips, a manager at a big-box hardware and home supply store. He leads his employees in "Go, team!" inspirational cheers, was so intent on serving his country that he cheated on his eye exam in order to join the military and constantly reminds his daughters that their mother is not there to help raise them because she's fighting for everyone's freedom.

"She was doing her duty, you know that," says Stanley in reply to 8-year old moppet Dawn (Gracie Bednarczyck), who has probably asked The Question countless times. Dawn, who has her watch synchronized with her mother's so they can commune with each other the same time each day, would rather he elaborate: "What does that mean?" Heidi (Shélan O' Keefe) is a little worldlier at age 12, and knows the issue is more complex. It keeps her awake at night, which might be why she readily accept her dad's offer to skip school for a few days and road trip from Minnesota to Florida in order to check out the Enchanted Gardens theme park -- with no luggage or re-charger for dad's cell phone.

A detour to grandma's allows Stanley's slacker brother John (Alessandro Nivola) to voice anti-war sentiments and chastise Stanley for holding back the news of Grace Phillips' death. Cusack trudges through the film with a stiff walk and sagging expression, using pay phones to call home and hear his wife's voice on the outgoing message at first, then relying that outgoing message a little too much as a coping mechanism. Heidi seems sharp enough to have caught on early in the film, although it does take her a while to point out to Stanley he's getting gamey after wearing the same clothes for days.

Writer-director James C. Strouse avoids the big message themes in which In the Valley of Elah, Redacted and Lions for Lambs wallow, being the first major director on the block to humanize the homeland experience. But the mood is as overcast as the sky that follows the Phillips' as they head for Florida and the inevitable moment of revelation. Grace Is Gone is a downer worthy of a super-sized box of Kleenex, and undoubtedly of therapeutic value for families of deceased veterans. It might spoil Christmas for families of living vets though. Holidays during wartime aren't the best occasions to think what life will be like after the knock on the door.

Grace Is Gone

John Cusack, Shélan O'Keefe, Gracie Bednarczyk. Directed by James C. Strouse.