Running For Grace

So, the first thing I have to say about this movie is that it has been long awaited. Now I know some of you may be saying “what? I’ve never even heard of this before”. So I’ll give you the scoop.

I actually know a HUGE number of people who worked on this film including the director, costumer, a few of the film makers, pretty much all the set people, and even some of the extras! Three years ago, my husband and I were a part of a test group for new media content coming out of the state of Hawaii. One of these was the premise for a movie then titled “Jo, the Medicine Runner.” (So named because of his amazing speed and using it to run medicine all over the island).

It was a David Cunningham project out of Honua Studios right here in Kona. Knowing David casually and other parts of his family very well, I was quite excited for this, especially because I like period pieces and something historical set in the new place I called home really intrigued me.

The years following saw the film go into production and it seemed everyone I knew in the Mission Organization we work with, was jumping in to help. There were stories about the filming, which on Hilo side was being done at the same time as the Jumanji remake, so there were a lot of run ins with actors. Jim Caviezel (who I LOVE from Person of Interest) and Ryan Potter, from Big Hero Six, were cast and I got a little fan girly. And finally we found out they were doing a large portion of the filming at the historical home my husband and I got married at!

I just had so much wrapped up in this movie emotionally after three years, that I was determined to see it. Now I won’t say I really knew anything about the plot of this movie as it was kept pretty quiet and the trailer was a little sporadic tone and story wise. Still, that wasn’t the reason I wanted to see it and for those that do see this movie when it releases on the mainland that’s not why you should see it either. This movie is a love letter to Hawaii.  To the landscape and daily life, and to the history and diversity of the most remote state in America.

Now, I am not a cinematographer, but this is a BEAUTIFUL film. There were no green screen sets as far as I could see, and I KNOW these places they were filming at, both internal and external shots. The music for the most part is also fantastic with the opening shot and number sweeping you away. The magic of using real locations and taking advantage of awe inspiring vistas is something I don’t take for granted in a film. Not since the first Lord of the Rings trilogy have I felt like a movie really appreciated where they were filming and made it evident to the audience.

As a writer, my impression of the story is not as golden, but it’s not broken either. There are definitely things that could have been removed for the sake of streamlining the plot and giving more time to important plot points, like developing the relationships between characters. (There’s one dancing scene in particular that was so awkward I have no clue why it was there). But even without making any changes to the film at all something kept jumping out to me while watching this movie.

It’s a Disney film! No, not literally made by Disney, but so much of the story is a simple live action version of almost any animated Disney property. That’s not  necessarily a bad thing, what it is, is unique because I can’t remember the last time I saw a live action movie that was FULLY playing into these stereotypes and tropes. Here’s what I mean, but warning: Mild Spoilers Ahead.

• Dead Mothers (right off the bat)
• A kitschy Disney-esque Villain in the vein of Ratigan, Cruella DeVille, and Jafar
• A marginalized orphan boy from the lower class pining after the “princess”, just wanting to bridge the gap/find where he belongs- see Aladdin, Cinderella, Hercules
• True love sprouting out of four (maybe five?) brief encounters
• More dead parents
• Happily Ever After

So, yeah. It’s a fairy tale and I think that’s the important thing to know about this story going in. It’s not just a romance and not just a historical drama. It’s a Disney/Jane Austen Fairy tale set on the gorgeous Big Island of Hawaii. Not everything is logical or has a strong foundation, but that’s not a horrible thing because that’s not what fairy tales are about. 

My favorite performances in this film were Matt Dillon as Doc Lawrence. Rumi Oyama as Miss Hanabusa, and finally Ryan Potter as Jo. But what I really most admire is what this film and its creators are trying to do.

While both Dwayne Johnson and Jason Momoa are doing a great job stepping up as Hawaiian natives in front of the camera on the world stage, this team is trying to establish a strong film industry right here in Hawaii, to create jobs and launch local talent in all aspects of the industry. In addition, as Christian filmmakers, they want to level up the quality of Christian films and start making better content.

So, I recommend you see it. See it for the people who put it together with so much love. See it to experience the breathtaking beauty of Hawaii. See it to fulfill your secret love of cheesy romance. Or see it to understand a little more about the history of this diverse, unique island.  You’ll get a full tour of our where we’ve been living for the past four years, support an amazing group of people, and maybe discover a new family favorite to add to your home collection.