After his wife dies in the Iraq war, a man takes his two daughters on a road trip in an attempt to make every moment with them count.

GRACE IS GONE is an extremely sad movie. It may just be one of the saddest movies I’ve ever seen. And I don’t mean sad in the sense that it made me want to cry; I mean sad as in depressing. It’s this quiet, somber tale about a widowed parent taking care of his two daughters, set entirely against this minimalist classical piano score. For females, it’s the heartfelt tear-jerker to end all tear-jerkers. For men, it’s the ultimate cure for insomnia.

Really, the main reason to see this film is John Cusack. His portrayal of this broken man trying to come to terms with his wife’s death and connect with his two daughters is both affecting and memorable, acting as the glue that holds the movie together. The eldest daughter, played by newcomer Shélan O'Keefe, also does an excellent job, faring much better than most young actresses could in such a demanding role.

GRACE IS GONE has its moments, but it definitely won’t make you rethink your life or change your perspective on the world.

Video: Presented in 1.85:1 Anamorphic Widescreen.

Audio: English 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround.

Very little.

A Conversation on Grace: A standard making-of featurette.

Inspiration for Grace is Gone: A news segment of the true life story that inspired the film.

There’s also a Profile of TAPS and a Theatrical Trailer.

For diehard John Cusack fans, this is a must see. For everyone else, it’s decent rental fare.