L.A. Fest

Nearing Grace

By ROBERT KOEHLER

A Whitewater Films presentation. (International sales: Whitewater Films, Los Angeles.) Produced by Rick Rosenthal, Susan Johnson, Tracy Underwood. Executive producers, John Wells, Nancy Stephens. Co-producers, Laura Holstein, Jacob Mosler. Directed by Rick Rosenthal. Screenplay, Jacob Aaron Estes, based on the novel "Nearing's Grace" by Scott Sommer.
 
Henry Nearing - Gregory Smith
Grace Chance - Jordana Brewster
Merna Ash - Ashley Johnson
Blair Nearing - David Moscow
Lance - Chad Faust
Clement C. Haydes - Brian Doyle Murray
Tripp - Logan Bartholomew
Shep Nearing - David Morse
 

Viewed from another angle, Jacob Aaron Estes' script (adapting Scott Sommers' 1979 novel, "Nearing's Grace") operates in almost direct counterpoint to his work for "Mean Creek," which spilled over with honest angst and exhibited a striking grasp for the way teens would respond to terrible tragedy and moral dilemma.

The teens this time resemble only those processed through TV's feel-good filter.

In 1978 New Jersey, high schooler Henry Nearing (Smith) is first seen delivering a eulogy for his mother, but the serious tone gives way to a ridiculous and ineptly staged plane ride to scatter mom's ashes.

Six months later, dad Shep (David Morse) hasn't gotten over his loss, and seems prone to juvenile stunts like riding around town on his motorcycle and screaming his head off.

Henry's judgment isn't much better: Unable to see that longtime gal pal Merna (Johnson) is a natural match for his thoughtful, solitary soul, he gets hot and bothered for cool, sexy Grace Chance (Jordana Brewster). Born to tease innocent boys, Grace strings Henry along with a series of dates, flirtations and dalliances in the woods, but never appears remotely serious about him.

Chasm between audience perception and what this laconic youngster can't see grows from intriguing to bothersome, since Henry, far from dumb, is the only family member carrying his weight.

Merna tries to hide her feelings for Henry by taking up with older college music student Tripp (Logan Bartholomew), but it's a blatant attempt to delay the inevitable. Much of watching "Nearing Grace" amounts to a waiting game for Henry and Merna to finally, finally hook up -- which they do in an overwritten, too-cute finale.

Without Smith's graceful presence, which more than once resembles Zach Braff's slightly older but observant New Jerseyite in "Garden State," "Nearing Grace" would be pure video fodder. As it is, he gives the story what emotional density it has, and when he and the adorable Johnson trade quips and looks with each other, there's the promise of star appeal. Brewster is typecast as the other girl with a whiff of danger about her, while Morse suggests a far more interesting widower than he has time to explore on screen.

In line with the vanilla storytelling, director Rick Rosenthal (who produced "Mean Creek") helms with old-fashioned, if uninteresting efficiency.Period detail is apt, as are music selections.

Camera (Fotokem color and prints), David Geddes; editor, Madeleine Gavin; music, John Nordstrom; music supervisor, Linda Cohen; production designer, Mark Zuelzke; art director, Travis Zariwny; set decorator, Rand Sagers; costume designer, Cynthia Morrill; sound (Dolby Digital), Eugene Thompson, Doug Tourtelot; sound designer, Jon Johnson; supervising sound editor, Miguel Rivera; visual effects supervisor, Rocco Gioffre; special effects coordinator, Kai Shelton; visual effects, Svengali Visual Effects; aerial motion effects, Reelistic Effects; aerial camera, Brian Heller; associate producers, Ryan Peterson, Doug Sutherland; assistant directors, Deborah Dell'Amico, Dennis Benatar; casting, Matthew Lessall. Reviewed at Los Angeles Film Festival (competing), June 18, 2005. Running time: 105 MIN.