The grass is always greener in St. Issacs

SAVING GRACE (2000)

Reviewed by Jerry Saravia

Wistful, cheery and eccentric are three words that come to mind while watching director Nigel Cole's "Saving Grace." This was the latest in the "eccentric villagers" comedy staple, set forth by in the riotous "The Full Monty" and culminating in the endearing if uneven "Waking Ned Devine." The difference in "Saving Grace" is that the villagers are even more wistful, cheery and eccentric, thanks to a particular type of plant.

Grace (Brenda Blethyn) is one of those villagers, living in the overcast, affable fishing village of St. Issacs in Cornwall. Grace is a recent widow who gets a lot of emotional support from her fellow neighbors. The problem is that she is liable to lose her home and all her possessions, including a rented lawnmower, thanks to her husband's financially risky ventures and ploys. What can Grace do? She has no money and no job skills, but she is fairly adept at maintaining her garden.

This springs an idea in her charming gardener, Matthew (Craig Ferguson, who co-wrote the film, and is now the regular talk show for you-know-what), who is something of a marijuana specialist. He grows his own pot plants at the vicarage, and decides to start a joint business venture with Grace by growing several plants in her greenhouse. This leads to the film's funniest surprise where the greenhouse is lit with dozens of bright lamps each night, leaving an ethereal glow in the sky that keeps the villagers entertained in anticipation. One of them mistakenly sees it as a sign from God.

Still, since marijuana is illegal, how does one escape notice from the local police chief? And what about the agency that is ready to buy out her precious house? And what about the shady drug dealers in London who are skeptical of Grace's economical enterprise, including the dangerous yet suave Jacques (Tcheky Karyo, memorable as the icy agent in "La Femme Nikita")?

"Saving Grace" is mostly a one-joke comedy, and the ending is false and unnecessary. Still, there are enough bright moments, a generous dose of laughs, and some perfectly-timed one-liners to compensate for what is essentially a wittier toke, er, take on Cheech and Chong. It is also a pleasure to see Brenda Blethyn more restrained than usual (considering her over-the-top turn in "Little Voice"), and always an undeniable pleasure to see Phyllidia Law (Emma Thompson's mother) as a giddy shopkeeper. The characters are all as wistful, cheery and eccentric as you can imagine, but they do deliver a smile on your face after it is all over. I suspect for most viewers who loved "Waking Ned Devine," a smile may be enough.