Main Review
Christian cinema. Virtually non-existent only a decade ago. As we officially start 2011, Christian film or “faith-based” film
has made leaps and bounds from straight-to-video releases to widely released theatrical openings across the country.
Believe it or not, I think Mel Gibson’s 2004 theatrical release of The Passion of the Christ really got the wheel going, and
had gotten more people interested and perhaps more curious about the morals and values that really envelope
Christianity and it’s foundation. While The Passion was certainly a film that I think got things moving, I believe films like
Facing the Giants really solidified Christian film in the mainstream and in Hollywood. I have said in the past that I think
Facing the Giants did for Christian film what dcTalk’s 1996 album Jesus Freak did for Christian music. Not that Christian
film and music didn’t exist prior, but not in the same capacity and respect as it did before.
Enter first-time director and optometrist by trade, David Evans. Prior to filming The Grace Card, Evans had overseen the
annual Passion play every Easter at Calvary Church in Cordova, TN. After attending a showing of Sherwood Pictures’
2008 film Fireproof which starred Kirk Cameron, he was convinced that filmmaking was going to be his new venture.
February 25, 2011 marks the release of Evans’ first feature film The Grace Card, which stars Michael Joiner and Michael
Higgenbottom as well as the veteran actor, Hollywood legend and Emmy and Academy award-winning Lou Gossett Jr.
The film is set Memphis, TN where we meet Memphis police officer Bill “Mac” McDonald (played by Michael Joiner) his
reluctant partner, Sam Wright (played by Michael Higgenbottom). Mac is an angry, bitter and distraught individual who is
still dealing with a senseless accident that claimed the life of his son seventeen years before. Racial tension has
gripped Mac as well, because the promotion that he thinks belongs to him is instead handed over to the younger officer
Sam Wright, who also happens to be black. Outside the force, Wright is the pastor of a struggling church. Just when Mac
thinks things can’t get worse, he is partnered with Sam. This is where the tension begins…
Mac is not only trying to cope with work, but his home-life is a wreck too. His wife Sara (played by Joy Moore) is growing
increasingly distant and his son Blake (played by Rob Erickson) is becoming more rebellious by the minute. It’s after
nearly having the gun turned on him during what seems to be a routine bust, that Mac has to sit back and look at his life
and where he’s headed in his recklessness. Meanwhile, Sam is trying his best to deal with Mac’s seemingly abhorrent
attitude and demeanor turning to his grandfather George Wright (played by Lou Gossett Jr.) for council on the situation.
George has Sam pull out a small, dusty Bible from the shelf of his study to find a small yellowed-from-age hand-written
note which reads …
“I promise to pray for you every day, ask your forgiveness, grant you the same and be your friend always”
- Wendle P. Wright
The “grace card” as George calls it is the key to the problem that Sam has with Mac. But still, even as a pastor – Sam too
is human. It’s one of the biggest challenges he faces to overcome - in showing a person whom he deems as “unworthy”
of grace and forgiveness. There are several key scriptures that you can define and use with dealing with grace and
forgiveness. A scripture that talks about the importance of grace (and its foundation) can be found in the first sentence of
Ephesians 2:8 which says “For by grace you have been saved through faith…” (NKJV). Other scriptures that center
around forgiveness can be found in Luke 6:37, Ephesians 4:32 and my personal favorite, “And whenever you stand
praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your
trespasses.” Mark 11:25 (NKJV).
As the film nears the end, so does the intensity and drama. Mac once again is faced with tragedy when Sam and he are
sent to investigate a break-in at a local supply warehouse. As Sam’s nightmare unfolds, it’s up to the unlikeliest person
(Sam Wright), who is ultimately put in place to help him endure it – together. It’s the unlikely bond between these to, in
what I call the perfect “odd-couple”, that makes for an ending that ranks up one of the most emotional and incredible ends
that I have seen in a film. While the film definitely had its moments of suspense, drama, comedy and twists and turns –
the ending was one that I was not expecting. Without giving it away, I can tell you that it was one that I personally stood up
and applauded for once the credits started rolling.
The Grace Card is a must see film and one that I truly believe congregations across the country can use for outreach in
their own communities. So many times in this day and age we come across a “Mac” in our lives. Whether it’s a friend, a
family member or a total stranger. We have to remember that when Christ found us, we were most certainly not in tip-top
shape or even in a good place in our lives. There was most likely that person, maybe the unlikeliest of people, who
showed grace and compassion and reached out for you when you were in need. I think this film goes a long way in
reminding us the importance of showing grace, being compassionate towards others and extending the same hand of
forgiveness just as God for Christ’ sake had forgiven you. (Ephesians 4:32) I challenge you after seeing this film - who
will you give your personal “grace card” to?
Closing Thoughts
Not having known that actor Michael Joiner was a stand-up comedian prior to his performance in The Grace Card, I was
actually really impressed with how he was able to take on such a dramatic role such as “Mac” McDonald. I had this quote
to submit for Michael Joiner… “As an accomplished stand-up comedian, Michael Joiner astonished me with his dramatic
lead performance as the tough-as-nails "Mac" McDonald in The Grace Card.”God's smart aleck" might just have become
"God's drama king"... A must-see performance, I assure you!"
Now let’s not forget Michael Higgenbottom, who brought an equally astounding performance as Sam Wright. Michael’s
presence on the screen in my opinion was really what this film needed to succeed. It was these two characters together
on film that made it good. I don’t believe it would have been the same without Higgenbottom there, especially in the
comedic moments where he prays and asks “Lord, please help not shoot my partner!”
February 25th… Be in a theater to check out this must see film!
Review Written By: Jay Heilman [jay.heilman@christianmusicreview.org] on 1/13/2011
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