Grace Is Gone

There was a time when Stanley Phillips (John Cusack) could see his entire life clearly. He dreamed of patriotic service and was destined for a military career. He came close to that dream until it was cut short simply because of his poor eyesight. Now he?s serving customers at a home supply store while his Sergeant wife is fighting in Iraq.<br /><br />Equally as awkward at home as he is at work, he?s raising Heidi, their twelve-year-old daughter and her 8-year-old sister Dawn. Although a loving father, Stanley is unable to conform to a more affectionate role and the girls miss their mother deeply.<br /><br />While tolerating his job and stumbling through parenting he is abruptly awakened when tragedy strikes. Ill prepared to deal with it himself, he is at a complete loss contemplating how to tell his children. Desperate to delay telling the children, they embark on a spontaneous road trip. Grasping to give them their last moments of innocence, Stanley reveals a softer side as they travel to Dawn?s chosen destination - Enchanted Gardens Theme Park.<br /><br />The further they drive, the closer they become; yet Stanley knows he must face the inevitable task of changing their lives forever.<br /><br /><i>Grace Is Gone</i> was written by James Strouse (<i>Lonesome Jim</i>) and is his directorial debut.