Grace is Gone

This is a drama film which portrayed a father who cannot bring himself to tell his two daughters that their mother, a soldier in the American Army, has just been killed on a tour of duty in Iraq. This film is interesting and meaningful as I saw determination, struggles and love in a father that tried to keep the news and brought his daughters for a short trip.

            Stanley, the father plays a main character in the film. He lives with his two daughters while his wife, Grace, serves in Iraq. I sympathized for Stanley when he received the news of his wife has been killed in combat. In fact, he pretends there is nothing happened in front of his daughters and he dreaded having to tell his daughters of their mother’s death. Stanley struggling with his emotions, he cannot cry in front of the kids. After watching this film, I asked my spouse, how if one day he has two daughters and he lost his wife? I was shocked with his answer; he wants he wife but not daughters. I believe it is very important for a man to have his wife to stay together with him in a marriage. A partner plays an important role in our life that always support, motivate, experience, and inspire each other in every moment of life. I believe it is very hard for a father to bring two daughters alone without the supportive from his spouse. After watching this movie, I realised it is very hard for a single parent to bring up their kids. Stanley keeps the secret of the kids’ mother death and he has to smile in front of them. When he decided to bring his kids to Enchanted Gardens, I can see it is a short reality escape trip.  When they arrived at their grandmother house, Stanley’s brother, John is the only one at home. He encourages three of them out for lunch (it is actually a dinner time) which obviously that he is totally sad and cannot differentiate the time. He finally breaks down and mourns Grace. I relieved when he finally crying out because I cannot imagine how painful and sad Stanley is and I feel him, I know Stanley miss Grace a lot but the truth is, Grace dies.

            Stanley daughters named Heidi and Dawn. Their personalities are totally different. According to birth order theory, Heidi as an older sister plays a more independent role, mature, and responsible. Despite two of them miss their mother a lot, Dawn’s personality is totally opposite of Heidi. Throughout the trip, Heidi did call the school and ask for homework. She is independence enough to settle down all her stuff which she is responsible with even though she is only a 12 years old girl. She takes her responsible to take care of her younger sister as well. When Dawn was missing in a shopping mall, she was worried; she was the first person who realised the missing of Dawn instead of her father. When her father, Stanley is talking with Dawn in a small toy house, she did not disrupt their conversation. I can see a strong girl who is protective her family. When she heard the news of her mother’s death (which Stanley finally chose to tell the truth to his daughters after the trip), she acted like all the kids, she cried and does not believe this is real. Heidi wrote a eulogy and read in her mother’s funeral. My reflection in this film is, me as an older daughter in my family, I always take my responsibility in my family. I want to protect my family all the time and I have learned to cherish every precious moment with them. I have also learned to appreciate every sacrifice given by my parents, and one day, I am going to give them a better life.