Grace Unplugged Review

Grace Unplugged is a strong Christian movie that tugs at the heartstrings of parents whose daughter will one day face the world in her desire to find herself. Watching Grace Unplugged from the comfort of my home, as I was invited to watch the premiere of the movie to write the Grace Unplugged movie review, meant I was surrounded by popcorn but I forgot the tissues.

During the movie I was aware of my two sleeping boys in the room next door. Although they are only 10 and 7 years old right now, I dread the day when they are ready to venture out on their own because I will have one nagging question. Will I have taught them enough to be ready?

Grace Unplugged showcases this question as Grace Trey, played by AJ Michalka, flees to Hollywood in a desperate search to not only find herself but to run away from her father.

Will a strong Biblical foundation bring Grace back to her Father and help her find where she was truly meant to be.

AJ Michalka plays Grace Trey, an 18 year old ready to be out from under her father’s grasp and be few to play her music her own way.

James Denton is a familiar face but this character is a far cry from Desperate Housewives and Wisteria Lane as he plays Johnny Trey, a one hit wonder whose fame resulted in some pretty dark demons from his past. Finding faith in God turns his life around but will he give it all up to return to the stage when his old manager comes calling?

Kevin Pollack plays Mossy, Johnny’s manager, whose resurfaces in Johnny’s life after decades of absence only to find a new starlet ready to make it big in Hollywood.

When Grace and her father are at odds with each other, their different paths of approaching worship are evident. “The rest of us are doing Chris Tomlin and you act like it’s a Renae Taylor concert.”

“You always wanted your life to be about God and these days you’re just all about you.” Classic words from a father to a daughter said by Johnny as we witness the strained relationship with his daughter.

When Grace begins her new life, her words are so haunting and is all too familiar to those who have walked away from God. “Maybe I just wasn’t into the whole God thing as much as I thought.” This is the beginning of her downward spiral that is difficult to witness, as many have experienced the same darkness.

The pastor’s words to Johnny are comforting and applicable, no matter what age your child is but is especially important when they begin to spread their own wings. “Sometimes when our kids grow up the best thing we can do is be faithful and trust Him to take care of them.”

Although it is not essential to the story line, it was fun for this Arizona blogger to see Flagstaff, Arizona mentioned, especially since I was there just four days ago.

“I think maybe you’re fighting God.” These words by Quentin are so familiar to anyone who has ever struggled on their walk with God.

Grace Unplugged is a movie with strong Christian values that carefully takes the viewer along on a journey of faith, hope, grief, and forgiveness that will leave you in tears. This movie is one I look forward to sharing with my boys when it as age appropriate for them. Know before you go: There are scenes of teenage drinking and two brief mentions scenes referring to sex where he mentions getting lucky tonight and Grace opens a box and begins to pull out lingerie. These are extremely mild scenes in my opinion and should not deter you from bringing your teenage to a heartwarming and thought provoking movie about your faith.

Sometimes, chasing your dream leads you right to where you belong.

Having just turned 18, Grace Trey aspires to more than just singing at her church, where the worship leader is her father—a former pop star. So, with the help of Mossy, her dad’s former manager, Grace records a cover version of her dad’s old Top-10 hit, runs off to Los Angeles, and begins to taste the kind of stardom she’s always dreamed about.

Yet with each rung of the ladder she climbs, Grace feels more and more pressure to compromise her values, further straining her relationship with her parents. Will everything she experiences lead her to reject her faith … or rediscover it? GRACE UNPLUGGED is playing in theaters now.

My favorite song of the movie can be seen below, called All I’ve Ever Needed.

Photography by Lionsgate and Roadside Attractions. Used with permission.

Grace Unplugged opens in theatres today. Follow the movie on Facebook and Twitter.