Jake Haynes (Jake La Botz) is a shy ex-con and untalented musician who is making his way back to Palestine to reunite with his long-lost father, Henry. The plot moves slowly but is always entertaining. Unfortunately, the reunion isn't likely to be a joyful occasion. Jake believes his white-haired, still-active father, a crop-duster pilot, is to blame for his mother's long-ago departure from the area. And he means to settle overdue bills with a firearm.
Jake is looking for the older man, but before he can get a good look at him, he is overwhelmed by the generosity of the other customers. After meeting Henry's employee, gentle giant Booster (Andrew Walker), by chance, Henry reluctantly joins the congregation of Rev. Lovely (Dorien Wilson), who also runs an African-American funeral parlor. When Reverend Lovely forces Jake to sing solo at a service for the first time, he believes he has discovered a miraculous method to attract more people to his church.
The prospect of murder isn't the only reason Jake is conflicted about pursuing a career as a church singer. On the other hand, Nicole (Jordin Sparks), the reverend's daughter, is so beautiful that he falls for her.
Director Chris Hicky constantly surprises us with unexpected and melodramatic twists and turns as the story progresses. A potential romantic conflict is peacefully resolved; a deus ex machina recording contract is not fulfilled (or delayed); and so on. Characters like Ravi Kapoor's Maurice, an outspokenly gay Indian ex-pat who runs the motel where Jake stays, could be caricatures in other works but are handled with wit and nuance
The Grace of Jake takes place in a small town packed with rich history and local color. The film's slow buildup of revealing details, recorded dreamily and brutally by cinematographer Blake McClure, is evocative of David Gordon Green's early works. In his rendition of "Everybody's Got to Fall Down," which could have been written by Bob Dylan and can be heard under the closing credits, actor, singer, and songwriter La Botz makes a nuanced transition from cynicism to hope.
The supporting cast, which includes Chad Morgan as a single mother who is afraid of Jake and refuses to get close to him, all give strong performances that are well suited to the plot and its presentation. Even those who do not believe in God can enjoy this film, so calling it faith-based entertainment isn't too far off.
What public library shelves would this title be on?
Grace of Jake is about redemption in a sleepy Southern town. The film would fit on the drama and religious shelves in a public library. Media librarians should consider including this title in their film collection for their devout patrons.