Saving Grace Review

Grace Trevethyn is a key member of the gardening society of a small town in Cornwall. She lives in the most beautiful house in one of the most beautiful parts of England. When her husband dies she faces losing everything. She has no income and a huge mortgage. Her gardener Matthew - Craig Ferguson - is loathe to leave the best job he`s ever had. They decide to merge interests by growing a huge crop of marijuana in Grace`s greenhouse, despite the disapproval of Matthew`s girlfriend Nicky - Valerie Edmond. Their venture is not a great secret in the town, particularly not from the local doctor - Martin Clunes - who`s a pothead. In fact there`s an air of exhilaration about the whole enterprise.... Often too cute for its own good, Saving Grace is however quite entertaining largely because the characters are given credibility by excellent performances from the ensemble cast. Brenda Blethyn`s Grace is actually less cloying than you might expect as this middle class woman is suddenly thrown on her own resources. Craig Ferguson was a co-writer of the film with producer Mark Crowdy and is very charismatic as Matthew. He`s known in this country for his role on the Drew Carey Show on TV. The director Nigel Cole has used the fabulous location to best advantage, although the wide-screen look of the film promises more than this can actually deliver. It`s a slight but enjoyable teeter on the wild side . David`s Comments: A wisp of a comedy which, with its village full of English eccentrics, is very post-Ealing. There are some charming moments here, but Brenda Blethyn - not my favourite actress - is not very subtle as the widow goes into the pot growing business. Pleasant enough.