Making Grace

Mercifully free of the stridency and political posturing that often marks social advocacy films, Catherine Gund's documentary Making Grace chronicles the experiences of a lesbian couple seeking to become parents via one partner's artificial insemination. Basically a typical journey following a couple preparing for a new arrival—except in this case it is a same-sex couple—the division of duty finds Ann Krsul agreeing to conceive and carry the child, after which her partner filmmaker Leslie Sullivan (A Touch of Greatness, VL-7/05) will serve as the stay-at-home mom. Not everyone in their immediate circle is entirely comfortable with the arrangement (Ann's sister prefers to refer to Leslie as “the best friend” rather than the baby's mother), but for the most part no one seems too concerned, and as Ann and Leslie attend Lamaze classes, view sonograms, and prepare for the arrival of baby Grace (hence the title), the film literally settles into becoming a very run-of-the-mill childbirth documentary. Advocates for the rights of gays and lesbians to be parents (whether through the means detailed here or via adoption) will rally behind Making Grace, but for many others the film may come across as almost sedate to the point of being quotidian once the novelty of the two mommies wears off. DVD extras include an epilogue, interview with the director, and a list of resources. Optional. Aud: C, P. (P. Hall)