I finally watched 'A Fall From Grace'....
And I don't know what y'all were complaining about, this flick was great!
I am currently working from home during these perilous times of the terrifying COVID 19. The company that I work for made a conscious decision to protect its employees by permitting social distancing via staying at home. While I don't mind working in my pyjamas, this isolation would be ideal in a country with reliable electricity, a stable economy and adequate food supply. Please feel free to send donations, plus I need to make my rent, otherwise...
A few months later, I finally got to view Tyler Perry’s, "A Fall From Grace". Premiered exclusively on Netflix, the film is a suspense/thriller written, produced, directed and starring Tyler Perry. Impressively, the film was shot in five days, clearly on a minimal budget. Perry is synonymous with featuring in his own movies from the Madea franchise, to 'Why Did I Get Married?', and 'The Single Mom's Club' to name but a few.
Apart from Perry, the cast includes A list legends such as Phylicia Rashad and Cicely Tyson, while 'The Haves and Have Nots' Crystal Fox finds her 'break' with this film. We also find Bresha Webb (Marlon, Night School), Walter Fauntleroy and the yummy, Mehcad Brooks (Supergirl, Nobody's Fool) starring in this film.
Warning: SPOILER ALERT!
'A Fall From Grace' follows the life of Grace Waters, a woman accused of murdering her husband. The movie opens with a news report on the radio discussing her case. A young public defender, Jasmine Bryant (Webb), is put on the case. According to Bryant's boss, Rory (Perry), the case is open and shut as Grace Waters will plead guilty. A reluctant Jasmine pays her client a visit in jail to have Grace sign the plead deal.
Grace requests to be placed in a jail near where her son and grandchild live. As Jasmine goes through Grace's files, she finds loopholes in the case. She pays Grace’s best friend, Sarah Miller (Rashad) a visit. Sarah briefly shares details about Grace's past including how she met her late husband, Shannon (Brooks). Sarah gives Jasmine a photo from Shannon's exhibition. The young attorney takes the photo to her client. Grace is shook at the sight of the photo. Jasmine insists that Grace tells her the truth about what happened on the night of the murder.
Grace narrates her love story with Shannon. She shares how the two met at a local art gallery. This was followed by a whirlwind romance that led to an engagement and marriage. However, as quickly as Grace fell in-love with her much younger husband, things fell apart. Shannon began devious behaviours including taking secret phone calls in the middle of the night. He even uses an abusive tone towards his wife when she confronts him about those calls.
One day, Grace is fired by her bosses for allegedly stealing large amounts of money from the company. She claims her innocence. This is followed by the bank teller asking her to pay back for the mortgage that she took on her home. A baffled Grace, denies ever signing of any bank documents. She then investigates from the address used. After viewing the bank’s security footage, she finds out that it was none other than her husband.
A livid Grace confronts Shannon about the money. He claims that he needed to pay off debts. The following days, Shannon reveals his true colours, becoming disrespectful towards his wife. One day, a frustrated Grace catches him sleeping with another woman. He shuts her out of their bedroom, and entertains his lady friend who assumes Grace is Shannon’s mother. The two head downstairs and Grace asks for him to return the money. He refuses to leave her home, and give back the money. He claims that she owes him for the joy that he has brought to her miserable, lonely life. Whilst he speaks, she beats him over the head with a bat. Realising what she has done, she drags the bludgeoned body and pushes it down her basement. She then drives off before calling Sarah for help to clean the body.
Sarah claims the body is missing and assumes that Grace’s son, Malcolm (Fauntleroy), removed the body to cover up for his mother. Despite the confession, Jasmine decides to convince her client to go to trial. Her defence is 'reasonable doubt' due to the evidence. Despite Rory's warnings, Jasmine convinces Grace to stand trial. This is when the twists begin. The novice lawyer, Jasmine Bryant fights a good fight for her client. However, an emotional Bryant misses out on key evidence - phone records from the night of the murder. When the prosecuting lawyer cross examines Sarah, she cracks and admits that Grace murdered Shannon. Jasmine makes an attempt to place Sarah on the stand again. This irritates the judge to the point that he puts her in jail for contempt. The trial continues and then Grace pleads guilty and is sentenced. Disappointed, she accepts her fate and bids farewell to her weeping son. Whilst Sarah comforts Malcolm, Grace notices an uzo similar to her dead husband's.
Whilst in jail, flashbacks come into Grace's mind. She starts putting things together realising that there might be a connection between Sarah and Shannon. In the meantime, Jasmine finally gets out of jail after her husband, Jordan Bryant convinces her to apologise to the judge. Jordan leaves Jasmine by Sarah's house. On her way to the house, Jasmine meets Sarah's mousey tenant, Alice, (Cicely Tyson). She's trying to runaway from the house but Jasmine takes her back. During her banter, Alice shares her address and the incidences that have occurred in the house. The address she gives is the old abandoned house that was used to take out the mortgage on Grace’s house. She also highlights Shay's suicide (the woman that Jordan tries to save at the beginning of the film). It's revealed that Shay was the actual photographer of the exhibition that Shannon held. The two hear a noise, which Alice states that the ladies are hungry. Jasmine goes downstairs to the basement, and what she finds is frightening.
On the other side of town, Jordan discovers from the fingerprints that he ran, that Sarah Miller is a wanted criminal. Back at Sarah's house, Jasmine is grabbed by a shadowy, tall figure. Sarah arrives a few minutes later only to go to the basement to taunt Jasmine. Fans discover that Shannon is actually bruised but alive. Jordan rushes to Sarah’s house to look for his wife. She initially dismisses him before he rings Jasmine's phone which is in the house. This leads to a confrontation between the police officer, and Sarah. He handcuffs her before going to the basement to look for his wife. Shannon grabs Jordan and the two men fight. Jasmine tries to save her husband by breaking the chair that she was tied to. She manages to free herself and kills Shannon.
It's revealed that Shannon Delon is a wanted con artist. He and his mother, Sarah have been a mother-son conning duo for over 25 years. They stole money from older women as well as kidnapping some elderly women to steal their social security and fortunes. Ann was one of the women who were held hostage by Sarah and Shannon. The light at the end of the tunnel is that Jasmine wins the case, and all the charges are dropped against Grace. Sarah who escaped manages to create yet another new identity and finds another target for her elderly scams. As Grace commented, this is not the end.
Woo, that's a long and emotional film. Again, I applaud Mr Perry and his team for filming in five days. The wigs were terrible and there are so many cinema sins, but the storyline was good. It was refresh to watch Crystal Fox look moneyed compared to her 'The Haves and Have Nots' character 'Hannah'. Another refreshing perspective of an actress was Bresha Webb whom we have previously watched in comedy roles. Of course, Phylicia Rashad's sociopathic character was riveting. Sarah Miller reminds me of another Tyler Perry character, Veronica Harrington (The Haves and Have Nots). The fact that Sarah could switch up her personality between a timid, unsure person and a bold, even aggressive woman. That Jerkyl, and Hyde persona is interesting. Mechad Brooks' character was rather predictable.
I have been a Grace Waters, and maybe a few women would relate. I have fallen for a Shannon and been swindled. Maybe not of my money, thank God, but just dignity and even sanity. Shannon was all the signs of a f**kboy. He even gaslights Grace, something all too familiar. I don't condone it, but I would have reacted the same way as Grace. Shannon's insults and condescending behaviour were the last straw for the vulnerable yet kind Grace. It was interesting that Perry took a look at elderly scams. These are very common in some parts of the world, and it's pretty sad.
Shannon and Sarah whose real names were, Morris Mills and Betty Miller used the psychology of preying on lonely women, probably empty nesters, widowed or divorced. The best way to tap into a lonely individual's life is to offer them friendship. Sarah offered Grace companionship by being her support system. Shannon came in with the 'I'm different' trope. He offered Grace something that her ex-husband failed to offer her. He made her feel wanted, special and loved. Boy did he throw out those gestures, won't lie that I loved the fireflies scene.
The lesson learnt is that take your time before opening up to people. Your time of loneliness is the time to heal and grow. Trust is a valuable asset to the wise. One needs to understand that not all people have your best interest at heart. Revelation of your weaknesses can be ammunition for your enemies, but you need to know who your enemies are. Grace made the mistake of opening up to Shannon about her insecurities on their first date. Later we find Shannon doing the same thing that her ex-husband did to hurt her - sleep with a younger woman. Shannon knew what would break Grace, and shake her confidence - infidelity.
In terms of Jasmine Bryant's skills as a lawyer, well she needs to learn from Analise Keaton. As the defence attorney, she failed to paint a good picture about Grace. Her decisions were emotional rather than strategic. Jasmine missed the important evidence including the phone records, Alice timid behaviour and even Sarah herself. But in a twisted way, she found victory with the case.
And I don't know what y'all were complaining about, this flick was great!
I am currently working from home during these perilous times of the terrifying COVID 19. The company that I work for made a conscious decision to protect its employees by permitting social distancing via staying at home. While I don't mind working in my pyjamas, this isolation would be ideal in a country with reliable electricity, a stable economy and adequate food supply. Please feel free to send donations, plus I need to make my rent, otherwise...
A few months later, I finally got to view Tyler Perry’s, "A Fall From Grace". Premiered exclusively on Netflix, the film is a suspense/thriller written, produced, directed and starring Tyler Perry. Impressively, the film was shot in five days, clearly on a minimal budget. Perry is synonymous with featuring in his own movies from the Madea franchise, to 'Why Did I Get Married?', and 'The Single Mom's Club' to name but a few.
Apart from Perry, the cast includes A list legends such as Phylicia Rashad and Cicely Tyson, while 'The Haves and Have Nots' Crystal Fox finds her 'break' with this film. We also find Bresha Webb (Marlon, Night School), Walter Fauntleroy and the yummy, Mehcad Brooks (Supergirl, Nobody's Fool) starring in this film.
Warning: SPOILER ALERT!
'A Fall From Grace' follows the life of Grace Waters, a woman accused of murdering her husband. The movie opens with a news report on the radio discussing her case. A young public defender, Jasmine Bryant (Webb), is put on the case. According to Bryant's boss, Rory (Perry), the case is open and shut as Grace Waters will plead guilty. A reluctant Jasmine pays her client a visit in jail to have Grace sign the plead deal.
Grace requests to be placed in a jail near where her son and grandchild live. As Jasmine goes through Grace's files, she finds loopholes in the case. She pays Grace’s best friend, Sarah Miller (Rashad) a visit. Sarah briefly shares details about Grace's past including how she met her late husband, Shannon (Brooks). Sarah gives Jasmine a photo from Shannon's exhibition. The young attorney takes the photo to her client. Grace is shook at the sight of the photo. Jasmine insists that Grace tells her the truth about what happened on the night of the murder.
Grace narrates her love story with Shannon. She shares how the two met at a local art gallery. This was followed by a whirlwind romance that led to an engagement and marriage. However, as quickly as Grace fell in-love with her much younger husband, things fell apart. Shannon began devious behaviours including taking secret phone calls in the middle of the night. He even uses an abusive tone towards his wife when she confronts him about those calls.
One day, Grace is fired by her bosses for allegedly stealing large amounts of money from the company. She claims her innocence. This is followed by the bank teller asking her to pay back for the mortgage that she took on her home. A baffled Grace, denies ever signing of any bank documents. She then investigates from the address used. After viewing the bank’s security footage, she finds out that it was none other than her husband.
A livid Grace confronts Shannon about the money. He claims that he needed to pay off debts. The following days, Shannon reveals his true colours, becoming disrespectful towards his wife. One day, a frustrated Grace catches him sleeping with another woman. He shuts her out of their bedroom, and entertains his lady friend who assumes Grace is Shannon’s mother. The two head downstairs and Grace asks for him to return the money. He refuses to leave her home, and give back the money. He claims that she owes him for the joy that he has brought to her miserable, lonely life. Whilst he speaks, she beats him over the head with a bat. Realising what she has done, she drags the bludgeoned body and pushes it down her basement. She then drives off before calling Sarah for help to clean the body.
Sarah claims the body is missing and assumes that Grace’s son, Malcolm (Fauntleroy), removed the body to cover up for his mother. Despite the confession, Jasmine decides to convince her client to go to trial. Her defence is 'reasonable doubt' due to the evidence. Despite Rory's warnings, Jasmine convinces Grace to stand trial. This is when the twists begin. The novice lawyer, Jasmine Bryant fights a good fight for her client. However, an emotional Bryant misses out on key evidence - phone records from the night of the murder. When the prosecuting lawyer cross examines Sarah, she cracks and admits that Grace murdered Shannon. Jasmine makes an attempt to place Sarah on the stand again. This irritates the judge to the point that he puts her in jail for contempt. The trial continues and then Grace pleads guilty and is sentenced. Disappointed, she accepts her fate and bids farewell to her weeping son. Whilst Sarah comforts Malcolm, Grace notices an uzo similar to her dead husband's.
Whilst in jail, flashbacks come into Grace's mind. She starts putting things together realising that there might be a connection between Sarah and Shannon. In the meantime, Jasmine finally gets out of jail after her husband, Jordan Bryant convinces her to apologise to the judge. Jordan leaves Jasmine by Sarah's house. On her way to the house, Jasmine meets Sarah's mousey tenant, Alice, (Cicely Tyson). She's trying to runaway from the house but Jasmine takes her back. During her banter, Alice shares her address and the incidences that have occurred in the house. The address she gives is the old abandoned house that was used to take out the mortgage on Grace’s house. She also highlights Shay's suicide (the woman that Jordan tries to save at the beginning of the film). It's revealed that Shay was the actual photographer of the exhibition that Shannon held. The two hear a noise, which Alice states that the ladies are hungry. Jasmine goes downstairs to the basement, and what she finds is frightening.
On the other side of town, Jordan discovers from the fingerprints that he ran, that Sarah Miller is a wanted criminal. Back at Sarah's house, Jasmine is grabbed by a shadowy, tall figure. Sarah arrives a few minutes later only to go to the basement to taunt Jasmine. Fans discover that Shannon is actually bruised but alive. Jordan rushes to Sarah’s house to look for his wife. She initially dismisses him before he rings Jasmine's phone which is in the house. This leads to a confrontation between the police officer, and Sarah. He handcuffs her before going to the basement to look for his wife. Shannon grabs Jordan and the two men fight. Jasmine tries to save her husband by breaking the chair that she was tied to. She manages to free herself and kills Shannon.
It's revealed that Shannon Delon is a wanted con artist. He and his mother, Sarah have been a mother-son conning duo for over 25 years. They stole money from older women as well as kidnapping some elderly women to steal their social security and fortunes. Ann was one of the women who were held hostage by Sarah and Shannon. The light at the end of the tunnel is that Jasmine wins the case, and all the charges are dropped against Grace. Sarah who escaped manages to create yet another new identity and finds another target for her elderly scams. As Grace commented, this is not the end.
Woo, that's a long and emotional film. Again, I applaud Mr Perry and his team for filming in five days. The wigs were terrible and there are so many cinema sins, but the storyline was good. It was refresh to watch Crystal Fox look moneyed compared to her 'The Haves and Have Nots' character 'Hannah'. Another refreshing perspective of an actress was Bresha Webb whom we have previously watched in comedy roles. Of course, Phylicia Rashad's sociopathic character was riveting. Sarah Miller reminds me of another Tyler Perry character, Veronica Harrington (The Haves and Have Nots). The fact that Sarah could switch up her personality between a timid, unsure person and a bold, even aggressive woman. That Jerkyl, and Hyde persona is interesting. Mechad Brooks' character was rather predictable.
I have been a Grace Waters, and maybe a few women would relate. I have fallen for a Shannon and been swindled. Maybe not of my money, thank God, but just dignity and even sanity. Shannon was all the signs of a f**kboy. He even gaslights Grace, something all too familiar. I don't condone it, but I would have reacted the same way as Grace. Shannon's insults and condescending behaviour were the last straw for the vulnerable yet kind Grace. It was interesting that Perry took a look at elderly scams. These are very common in some parts of the world, and it's pretty sad.
Shannon and Sarah whose real names were, Morris Mills and Betty Miller used the psychology of preying on lonely women, probably empty nesters, widowed or divorced. The best way to tap into a lonely individual's life is to offer them friendship. Sarah offered Grace companionship by being her support system. Shannon came in with the 'I'm different' trope. He offered Grace something that her ex-husband failed to offer her. He made her feel wanted, special and loved. Boy did he throw out those gestures, won't lie that I loved the fireflies scene.
The lesson learnt is that take your time before opening up to people. Your time of loneliness is the time to heal and grow. Trust is a valuable asset to the wise. One needs to understand that not all people have your best interest at heart. Revelation of your weaknesses can be ammunition for your enemies, but you need to know who your enemies are. Grace made the mistake of opening up to Shannon about her insecurities on their first date. Later we find Shannon doing the same thing that her ex-husband did to hurt her - sleep with a younger woman. Shannon knew what would break Grace, and shake her confidence - infidelity.
In terms of Jasmine Bryant's skills as a lawyer, well she needs to learn from Analise Keaton. As the defence attorney, she failed to paint a good picture about Grace. Her decisions were emotional rather than strategic. Jasmine missed the important evidence including the phone records, Alice timid behaviour and even Sarah herself. But in a twisted way, she found victory with the case.
And then the cinema sins! Ehm, Rory and Shannon's hair, those were bad wigs. How did a bludgeoned Shannon survive those beatings? How did the gun move from the room that Jasmine was held captive into the room that the two men were fighting? If all this time Jasmine was tied and held captive, how did she manage to stand up and run? If Shannon and his mum have been marrying and ripping off middle aged women, howbold is Shannon really? Rory gave Jasmine such a hard time, why does he nod his head at the end as if he helped her win this case? Did I miss anything?
Tyler Perry has perfected the art of imperfections. I have mentioned in previous posts, I do not enjoy the series because they are slow and there's poor acting. With the films though, I enjoy the relatable stories about black women. Now this is a complaint by most black women in the USA that the director profits from their pain. I wouldn't know, what I perceive from Perry's storytelling are conversations in hair salons, stories shared by other black female celebrities and as he has said, his own upbringing. We all have known, or have a Madea type of matriarch in our lives. Mine is my maternal grandmother. I am a Diane and Patricia from 'Why Did I Get Married?', some of my friends are Angela. I have friends, sisters and aunts who are Helen McCarter from 'Diary of a Mad Black Woman'. I even know of a 'Temptation' situation. And guess what, I am a black woman.
But each to her own. What I have taken from each Tyler Perry movie is the story of overcoming difficult situations, and seeking healing from brokenness. Trauma, mental health issues and even failed relationships go beyond race. We all need healing, but the way that we handle 'issues' differ. It would be refreshing for Mr Perry to explore the fantasy type of narratives perhaps. Let's see how the audience will react to a 'Love Actually ' or 'Pretty Woman' type of flick. Or maybe revisit stories such as 'Love Jones', 'Love and Basketball', or 'The Best Man'. Or perhaps, he can tell black man's stories. But you can never tell a creative how to tell stories, I know that I wouldn't want to tell stories that are remotely authentic to who I am and my perceptions.
'A Fall From Grace' reminds all of us that we can fall from grace. It takes one wrong turn, or poor decision that can change the course of our lives. While we must live life to the fullest, we also need to be aware of the people whom we place our trust into. Anything that seems to good to be true, is too good to be true.
Tyler Perry has perfected the art of imperfections. I have mentioned in previous posts, I do not enjoy the series because they are slow and there's poor acting. With the films though, I enjoy the relatable stories about black women. Now this is a complaint by most black women in the USA that the director profits from their pain. I wouldn't know, what I perceive from Perry's storytelling are conversations in hair salons, stories shared by other black female celebrities and as he has said, his own upbringing. We all have known, or have a Madea type of matriarch in our lives. Mine is my maternal grandmother. I am a Diane and Patricia from 'Why Did I Get Married?', some of my friends are Angela. I have friends, sisters and aunts who are Helen McCarter from 'Diary of a Mad Black Woman'. I even know of a 'Temptation' situation. And guess what, I am a black woman.
But each to her own. What I have taken from each Tyler Perry movie is the story of overcoming difficult situations, and seeking healing from brokenness. Trauma, mental health issues and even failed relationships go beyond race. We all need healing, but the way that we handle 'issues' differ. It would be refreshing for Mr Perry to explore the fantasy type of narratives perhaps. Let's see how the audience will react to a 'Love Actually ' or 'Pretty Woman' type of flick. Or maybe revisit stories such as 'Love Jones', 'Love and Basketball', or 'The Best Man'. Or perhaps, he can tell black man's stories. But you can never tell a creative how to tell stories, I know that I wouldn't want to tell stories that are remotely authentic to who I am and my perceptions.
'A Fall From Grace' reminds all of us that we can fall from grace. It takes one wrong turn, or poor decision that can change the course of our lives. While we must live life to the fullest, we also need to be aware of the people whom we place our trust into. Anything that seems to good to be true, is too good to be true.
Protect your heart, salvage your mind, and in this season,
...stay safe!
Until the next flick....
P.S. : Always write your own love story!
Ciao!
Lady E
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