Nearing Grace

FIRST INDEPENDENT/VIVENDI VISUAL
Street: Oct. 23
Prebook: Sept. 25
> Sober-minded teen pic, featuring a killer '70s soundtrack and hot Jordana Brewster.

A laid back coming-of-age film, Nearing Grace contains all of the usual elements common to teen movies (sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll) but delivers them in an intelligent, character-driven package that produces smiles instead of laughter. Though set in 1978, the film avoids using too many pop-culture signposts—in fact, it could easily take place today. Lead actor Gregory Smith and the rest of the cast do a fine job, but viewers (especially male viewers) will be focused on Jordana Brewster (The Fast and the Furious), who plays Smith's teasing object of desire.

Shelf Talk: Viewers seeking a National Lampoon-type teen pic will be turned off by Nearing Grace's earnestness, but the picture should acquire an audience through positive word of mouth. If its inherent quality doesn't sell it, the soundtrack—which includes songs by a wide range of artists from Bob Dylan and the Kinks to The Clash and The Ramones—definitely provides an added incentive.