States of Grace

Every genre has a milestone classic, and with States of Grace, contemporary Christian drama can finally claim one of its own. And while “classic” may be overly generous, this upright and thoughtful film boasts a level of quality and noble purpose rarely found in the Hollywood mainstream. In this ostensible sequel to 2000's God's Army, writer-director Richard Dutcher crafts a moving tale of devout yet humanly fallible tenacity of faith in secular society. It's not “us vs. them” but rather “us among them,” beginning when Mormon missionaries Lozano (Ignacio Serricchio) and Farrell (Lucas Fleischer) save the life of a gang member named Carl (Lamont Stephens) after a drive-by shooting in the Venice, CA neighborhood where they work their daily rounds. These and other characters are well-developed through Dutcher's authentic dialogue, and the finest scenes achieve a quiet piety that John Ford would have appreciated, while a closing nativity scene recalls the fervor of D.W. Griffith's silent classics. Recommended. [Note: DVD extras include audio commentary by filmmaker Richard Dutcher, nine minutes of deleted scenes, and trailers. Bottom line: a solid extras package for a winning film.] (J. Shannon)