The Senior Prank

I don't usually write reviews, so for me to be writing this is saying a lot. I wanted to like this movie so badly as the topics that it covers are very close to my heart. But after watching it, all I can say is... no. The main character, Cara, is unlikeable at best. They try to show her character developing and learning to accept others, but all I can see is a character who continues to stand by as her "friends" make despicable comments like "I'm not going to homecoming on a short bus." I also have a problem with how Cara is portrayed as a saint for... being friends with someone? If all of this wasn't bad enough, the acting is cringeworthy and the writing is just bad. The only reason that I'm not giving this movie 1 star is because I did like their portrayal of Young Life-- finally media that highlights love, acceptance, and forgiveness as the principles of the Christian faith. I also have to give them props for actually hiring actors with Down Syndrome to portray the characters. But other than that... no. Just no. Don't waste your time with this movie.

The first half of the movie requires a lot of discipline to watch, in the hope that a primitive movie turns into a good movie. And indeed there is a dramatic shift with a beautiful end.

PROS

+ Wonderful message - what ugly consequences bullying can have and how to do it much better by becoming friends with the less privileged and accepted.

+ Great message about forgiveness.

CONS

• Utterly American movie, with homecoming parties and living the American dream with a perfect house, car, suit-wearing husband et al.

• While the main actor did a great job, some of the other roles did not act as well.

• Although she became a morally better person, there is no redemption. She might become a Christian, but she did not.

I watched this movie all the way through as I thought it had a Pertinent and important topic that needs dealt with. But it was Horribly written and acted! It could have been so much better.

While the main character, Grace, is a Down syndrome person, this movie is not about Down syndrome for there is a lot of bullying of others as well, not only Grace. This movie deals with bullying, and the length teens will go to in order to be accepted by the popular crowd, as well as forgiveness. Down syndrome is not the main issue in the movie by any means, although it is discussed at one point. I found this movie to be touching, yet frustrating at times as I watched the main bully. I think this movie would be great for parents and teens to watch together. It would make a great opener for parents to discuss these things - peer pressure, acceptance, bullying, forgiveness, accepting people who are different. Touched by Grace held my attention, made me smile, and made me laugh. This movie also reminded me how precious all life is and reminded me of the Down syndrome people I have known who so freely gave their love.

The script was cheesy and unrealistic and the acting was less than impressive. We bought the DVD when it was $5. I gave it a 5 because it had a good message, it was just not thought out as well as it could have been.