States of Grace: Review By efrain gomez

One of the best movies I've seen involving explicitly Christian values, "States of Grace" wonderfully weaves religion into a very real and possible slice of life story. Much props to the director for his pacing and bringing out some simple but real performances, as well as some wonderful, although at times obvious, plot elements of foreshadow and pacing. The filmmakers may be little-known, but everyone turns in good work.

The film's religious substance is that of the Church of Latter Day Saints, and I'm in no way affiliated with them, but I loved the way the writer/director speaks universal truths about the various "states of grace" in which the characters find themselves. Sure you have to take some of it with a grain of salt, as the LDS doctrines are sprinkled lightly about. But the focus in the end becomes singular and clear: in the end, regardless of your faults, failures and successes, we all kneel at the feet of Jesus, the God who mercifully bestows His grace impartially and unendingly.