Saving Grace (2000)

Imagine a Cheech and Chong pothead comedy, only instead of two scruffy lowlifes, the movie is about an aimless Scottish gardener and a middle-aged British widow with a green thumb. Grace (Brenda Blethyn of Secrets and Lies and Little Voice) has just discovered that her recently deceased husband has left her with an enormous debt when her gardener Matthew (Craig Ferguson, The Big Tease) asks her to help him tend to his small, personal-use marijuana crop. Grace soon realizes that they can turn her green house into a hydroponics laboratory and turn out a profitable crop--if only they can keep the local constables at bay and then find a dealer to actually sell the stuff. Saving Grace has well-developed characters, intelligent dialogue, a charming and capable cast, and clean, clear direction. But at heart it's still a marijuana comedy, with most of its funniest moments coming from the silly, stoned behavior of elderly ladies and other stuffy Brits. Nothing wrong with that, and Blethyn and Ferguson give the film a strong anchor. The ending goes a little over-the-top, but most of the movie is well-grounded in genuine human behavior. A subplot about Matthew's girlfriend's pregnancy is treated with respect and integrity. Sweet, silly, and sincere. --Bret Fetzer Amazon.com

saving grace

I thought this was a fun film. Didn't have to concentrate watching the plot unfold. Scenery lovely and overall good film for a wet day. Made me feel good. May 19, 2008

A Joint Venture

In a quaint Cornish village, local matron and horticulturalist Grace Trevethyn (Brenda Blethyn) finds herself a new widow with an insurmountable pile of debt. The whole town commiserates with Grace's predicament, but it is Matthew, her gardener (Craig Ferguson), who comes up with a sure-fire plot to raise money for both of them: He will take his few, sickly pot plants to her fancy greenhouse, grow the plants with hydroponics, and make a fortune for both of them!

This really sweet and funny comedy was written, produced by, and stars the irrepressible Craig Ferguson, of late night TV fame. He's quite charming as the gardener who tries to help Grace get back on her feet, financially and emotionally. Brenda Blethyn is perfect as the respectable lady who's all business when it comes to saving her manor and even goes to a London street market to peddle her wares.

The local folk are delightfully eccentric and there's a lot of homey appeal that makes you root for Grace and Matthew regardless of the legalities. The pace grows quite chaotic toward the end with sinister drug dealers, bankers, the police, and the entire town converging on Grace's greenhouse, and the ending is odd, but this well-made little gem is full of laughs. May 4, 2008

Delightful!

I saw this movie in the theater when it came out a few years ago simply because a friend dragged me to it...

It was one of the funniest and best written movies I saw that year. I recently added it to my DVD collection simply to be able to share with friends who have not have had the privilege of seeing it. To date, everyone that I have shared it with have expressed the same opinion that I have:

HIGHLY recommended!!
April 20, 2008

Best movie ever with "Pot" as a saving grace

I do not condone drug movies but I make an exception for this one. A good plot line, laughter and delemas. Turned out even my grandchildren could watch it, with parents permission. Don't sell this movie short. It's excellent. April 7, 2008

absolutely wonderful

the scene with the two old ladies in the store is worth every penny you pay for this wonderful British comedy about the bud. March 6, 2008

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