Drugs/Alcohol: Social drinking depicted.Instead of providing an intriguing window into how Christ-followers make crucial life decisions, it opts for the whole "safe for the family" routine-something that may please the parents of youth group kids but is still the path of least resistance that doesn’t necessarily help anyone who doesn’t already believe.
While that clearly isn’t the direction the filmmakers wanted Grace’s story to take, another option wasn’t even debated or discussed.Īnd that’s when Grace Unplugged, as accomplished as it is, can’t help feeling like a missed opportunity. Surely, there are plenty of believers (like the film's star AJ Michalka who talked open about that very thing at the press junket for Grace Unplugged) who manage to strike a balance between using their God-given gifts in the world without losing their soul in the process. Instead of even considering how Grace could be a Christian and a popular singer/songwriter, it was decided the only way her faith would remain strong was by immediately heading back to church. Speaking of which, that’s precisely when the story takes its well-traveled turn toward predictability. With a book rather than thought-provoking conversation, no less.
Part of the Christian life is wrestling with our beliefs-and here, Grace is spoon-fed exactly what she needs to do. In the midst of wowing audiences with her confident vocals and feeling torn about “selling out,” a quasi-dorky intern who just happens to be a Christian, Quentin ( Michael Welch of Twilight fame) arrives with a book to address her “heart issue.” Now I’m a big believer in God’s ability to move in mysterious ways, but there was something about that particular plot twist that felt far too easy and convenient. Later, the pop star she's always admired tells her she'll have to use her body to gain attention while her manager and stylist suggest that racier clothes will be part of her future (she ultimately resists the urge to dress provocatively). When her own songwriting efforts don’t yield much fruit, she's told she’ll be recording a track about a one-night stand instead (she refuses). So without even telling her parents who in her mind, probably wouldn’t understand anyway, Grace hi-tails it to Los Angeles, records her dad’s song, and before you know it, she’s got label interest, an image consultant and an imaginary boyfriend courtesy of “the fame machine.”Įven as determined as Grace is "to make it," she is immediately faced with troubling trade-offs. For years, he’d been there for her father through successes and struggles, however, so he’s happy to help make her a star. Clashing over stylistic ambitions and what it means to praise God through song, there’s clearly a massive wedge between father and daughter.Īfter Johnny's rejection, Mossy is naturally pretty surprised to hear from Grace. Unfortunately, leading worship at her small Alabama church with her dad week after week causes Grace to feel stifled.
A lover of music from the moment her father first gave her a guitar, she’s eager to share her passion with the world.
When the story begins, Grace is a pretty, conflicted 18-year-old with plenty of natural talent and charisma. Is the best way to please God and honor your faith to merely trade mainstream stardom for Christian superstardom as a worship leader who plays massive church arenas with Chris Tomlin instead of being salt and light in smoky clubs? With compelling performances from the lead actors, a decent (read: mostly non-cringeworthy) script and cinematography that isn't embarrassingly dated, that’s practically cause for celebration, right?Ī great deal of care was taken in distinguishing Grace Unplugged from its predecessors and one can’t help appreciating the timeliness of examining fame, the cost of compromise and fractured father/daughter dynamics.īut as heartwarming as it can be, the trouble with Grace Unplugged, and why a good chunk of it probably won't resonate with many outside of the Church, is the troubling conclusion that’s ultimately drawn from Grace’s journey. In stark contrast to many films that fall under the "Christian" or "family-friendly" banner, Grace Unplugged is a movie with a message and strong production values. Rating: PG (for thematic elements and brief teen drinking)Ĭast: AJ Michalka, James Denton, Kevin Pollak, Shawnee Smith, Michael Welch, Jamie Grace
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