Christian Retailing

Gritty cop drama tackles 'universal' themes Print Email
Written by Staff   
Tuesday, 28 June 2011 09:14 AM America/New_York
  

'The Grace Card' inspired by success of firefighter-themed 'Fireproof'TheGraceCardDVD

 

Eye doctor David Lane took time out from his practice with the aim of giving people new vision in a different way. The result was The Grace Card (6-02341-00449-7, $24.99), a PG-13-rated police drama about racism and forgiveness that releases on DVD Aug. 16 after an unexpected theatrical run.

Having written church dramas for years, optometrist Lane was inspired to take his ministry writing a stage further after seeing the Sherwood Pictures hit Fireproof. "When I saw it, I said, 'I believe that this is what God has been calling me to do.' "

Investing his own money, he wrote and produced the movie through his own Graceworks Pictures, founded to create "entertainment with purpose," in association with Calvary Pictures, formed at his church in Cordova, Tenn. Filming took place in and around the Memphis area, with Michael Joiner, best known as one of the country's leading "clean" comedians, one of the few professionals in the cast.

He stars as Mac McDonald, a longtime police officer embittered by the loss of his son in an accident, whose anger is further fueled when he is partnered with a rising star on the force who happens to be a part-time pastor and a loving family man.     

Originally planned as a straight-to-DVD release, The Grace Card was picked up for cinema screenings and drew $2.4 million at the box office earlier this year. "That was a blessing to us and something we never expected," said Lane. 'This message of grace and forgiveness is something everyone needs to hear the emotions we address in the movie—anger, bitterness—are universal."

Included in the extras are Starting a Grace Awakening: Behind the Scenes, Give a Little Grace: Outtakes and "Healing Begins"—a Tenth Avenue North music video. Outreach has produced a DVD-based study course, study guide and 30-day devotional tied in to the film.

Call Provident-Integrity Distribution at 800-333-9000 to order. For more information, go to www.thegracecardmovie.com.