❤️❤️😍

source: Running for Grace

This movie was truly delightful. I was inspired and moved by this story of love. I watched this movie with my family and was glad that I did. We need more movies like this to inspire us to embrace positive core human values and dreams.

It's a classic story of two young lovers separated behind high, thick walls of social class and racial prejudice. Think of it as Romeo and Juliet in a lush tropical setting. Jim Caveziel is Reyes, a villain you love to hate. He couldn't be further removed from his raw portrayal as Jesus in "The Passion of the Christ." All of the actors turned in seamless performances. Ryan Potter shows star quality as Jo, the lead character. Cole Takiue plays Jo as a child, capturing the audience in this, his first acting job. Matt Dillon's performance as Doc wins you over. I liked him before in his Oscar-nominated role in "Crash." With this film he adds even more luster to his career. David Cunningham's skill in pulling all of this together was amazing. He pulls back the curtain on some cruel parts of this Hawaiian island's history. His scenes will also sweep you into the incredible beauty of the Big Island and its people. I can always tell when a movie is very good. If I have a warm, fuzzy feeling the next day, I will never forget that film. Today, with an amazing array of outlets gushing out movies for the big screen, TV, and streaming online, so many are instantly forgotten. Not this one. I'm basking in the satisfaction of a heartfelt story, presented with excellence.

Running for Grace beautifully blends the scenic Big Island with a story that captures the hearts of its viewers. David Cunningham did a very good job directing the film by keeping it on the Big Island and by casting actors that are passionate about the story and the history of the early residents during that time. This movie is a must-see for the whole family!

"Running for Grace" is like finding a jewel in the middle of an ordinary day. Filmed among the most breathtaking views in the Hawaiian Islands, director/writer, David Cunningham, has once again captured the amazing strength and resilience of the human spirit in this movie. Similar to earlier works like "To End All Wars," starring Kiefer Sutherland and Robert Carlyle, Cunningham's characters face injustice, prejudices, and hatred, not unlike those we all face at one time or another. Yet, we are reminded that the human spirit can love and dream in spite of such challenges. Ryan Potter as "Joe" and Matt Dillon as "Doc" bring star performances to their roles, and Jim Caviezel as "Reyes" is the perfect antagonist. "Running for Grace" provides an experience rich in Hawaiian culture and its history. It's a treasure to be explored by the entire family!

If you took Ben Stiller's role as Simple Jack from Tropic Thunder and stretched it out for almost 2 hours, you would get Running for Grace. Predictable, formulaic, brainless...Sometimes when a character you really care for is killed off in a movie you think to yourself "If I made a movie, I would make it so that everything goes the way that everyone wants it to." Running for Grace is proof that you shouldn't do that.

Multi-ethnic identity and orphan pains are major themes. Along with socioeconomic class issues. Filmed in Hawaii, so the scenery is stunning. Great for families. I recommend it!

This was a great movie. I'm just a simple water machine installer, not affiliated with the film production as someone that gave it a 1 star review claimed. I absolutely loved how Matt Dillon showed his genuine love for the orphan. AWESOME ACTING, by everyone. Even Jim the villain. Anyone that gave this a bad review is just an overall grumpy person. And the comments about it being a disgrace to Hawaii, I highly doubt you lived in the 1920's to witness the racism against the Japanese. The movie was gorgeous, made me want to visit Hawaii like TOMORROW and I'm headed to bed with a smile.

This was one of the worst films I've ever seen. Only because of the gorgeous scenery and better-than-average score could I even justify the one star rating I gave it. Jim Caviezel and the rest of the crew overacted so badly that I felt as though I were watching a high school play. Only Matt Dillon and young Ryan Potter managed to appear somewhat professional in their performances. The story was absurd; the character development all but non existent; and the acting was sophomoric. I don't know what has happened to Caviezel, but I always thought him a better actor than what he displayed in this farce. Matt Dillon has never been a first rate actor, but compared to the rest of the cast, he shone. Terrible waste of celluloid and my time. Sorry, but that's just how I saw it.