Saving Grace B. Jones

     Strange how a simple change can destroy a whole family.

     This 2009 independent film was written, produced, and directed by actress Connie Stevens. The story is based on an incident in Ms. Steven's life. When she was 12 years old she witnessed a man being murdered at a bus stop in Brooklyn, New York. She was so traumatized that her father thought it best to get her out of the city, and sent her to live with friends in Boonville, Missouri.

     The lives of the couple she lived with became very chaotic when the husband's unstable sister, Grace ( played by Tatum O'Neal ), came to stay with them after being released from the insane asylum where she had lived for 18 years. This causes the dynamics of the family to change for the worse at a time when Boonville is faced with one of the worst floods in U.S. history. Grace is present during the drowning of her niece and does not have the presence of mind to stay calm and save her. Her own feelings of guilt, plus the silent blame she feels from her family and members of the community cause her to have a psychotic break. She walks through the house with a pair of scissors in her hand while mumbling in a confused manner. Her sister-in law decides to wrestle the scissors from her, and Grace accidently stabs her. Grace's brother has now lost both his wife and daughter.

     This fine film concludes with a very troubling and unexpected event at the end of the movie.

Cast

     Michael Biehn as Grace's brother Landy Bretthorst   also in The 

     Terminator and Aliens

     Tatum O'Neal as Grace B. Jones   also in Paper Moon and
     Woman on Trial
     Penelope Ann Miller as Grace's sister-in-law   also in The Relic 
     and Kindergarten Cop
     Evie Thompson as Grace's niece

     Raylee Fansler as Carrie Staley ( the little girl from Brooklyn )