Reviews
Wuchak

Wuchak

August 25, 2021
7.0
_**Returning to your hometown after making it big...**_ ...that's what "Falling from Grace" is about. Released in 1992, John (Cougar) Mellencamp plays a country star, Bud, who tries to come home to Indiana, bringing his tall blond wife (Mariel Hemingway) and daughter. Unfortunately, his dad's a total jerk (Claude Akins) and his high school sweetheart (Kay Lenz) is married to his brother and having an affair with someone linked to both. It seems like the star just wants to take a break from the show business and hang with his buds and family, like in the old days, but melancholy settles in and temptation strikes. Wow, after seeing this my wife and I gave thanks for our dysfunctional families -- we never knew we had it so good! This is a solid drama by first-and-only-time director Mellencamp. All the main players noted above do fine in their roles, but some of the side players are flat and unconvincing, like the bearded guy who works for Bud. The first time I saw this movie I thought it was an okay drama, but I felt it was dragged down by the country star's mopiness, which is fundamental to the story -- I understand -- but it's still frustrating for the viewer. A couple of the key characters are a turn-off as well, but isn't this the way it is in real life? Noted critic Roger Ebert gave "Falling from Grace" his top rating and Gene Siskel also praised it, but Leonard Martin rated it a BOMB in his guide. The critics on Sneak Previews also dogged it. This just goes to show that "Falling from Grace" is a love-or-hate-it piece. While I'm somewhere in the middle, I enjoyed it a lot more on my second viewing and therefore lean toward the 'love it' side. It's a low-budget film that is better on repeat viewings. I Like the Seymour, Indiana, locations, which is John's actual hometown. The situations reflect real-life and there are some thematic gems to mine, like "the sins of the father" and the negative domino effect of unfaithfulness. I also like the way the movie ends. Speaking of which, Bud's wife, Alice, shares a great line: "You can't have some secret world in your mind and another one on the street." Chew on that. The film runs 100 minutes. GRADE: B

Recommendation Movies

6.1
Drama
View
6.1
Secrets of Palace coup d'etat. Russia, 18th century. Film №5. Second Bride Emperor
Secrets of Palace coup d'etat. Russia, 18th century. Film №5. Second Bride Emperor2003
6.5
Animation
View
6.5
Main Krishna Hoon
Main Krishna Hoon2013
6.3
Painting for the main bedroom
Painting for the main bedroom2020
6.8
Music
View
6.8
Bird Thongchai Concert #1/1988 Kaolao ThongChai (Mai-Ngok)
Bird Thongchai Concert #1/1988 Kaolao ThongChai (Mai-Ngok)1988
5.3
Action
View
5.3
The Song of the Tree
The Song of the Tree2018
5.7
Drama
View
5.7
Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara
Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara2005
6.6
Animation
View
6.6
Kamen Rider SD: Strange?! Kumo Otoko
Kamen Rider SD: Strange?! Kumo Otoko1993
7.3
Documentary
View
7.3
John2020
6.4
Drama
View
6.4
Avatar
Avatar2006
6
Family
View
6
13: The Musical
13: The Musical2022
4.8
Comedy
View
4.8
Palacio Estilistas
Palacio Estilistas2024
6.8
Action
View
6.8
Jigen Daisuke
Jigen Daisuke2023
7.2
Drama
View
7.2
No Trace
No Trace2021
7.7
Action
View
7.7
A Chinese Odyssey Part Two: Cinderella
A Chinese Odyssey Part Two: Cinderella1995
7.5
Science Fiction
View
7.5
Doctor Who: Planet of the Dead
Doctor Who: Planet of the Dead2009
Juan el desalmado1970
5.4
Drama
View
5.4
Private House of the SS
Private House of the SS1977
4.8
Western
View
4.8
The Phantom Stockman
The Phantom Stockman1953
© 2025 MoovieTime. All rights reserved.Made with Nuxt