"Savage Grace" is not based on this wild child dominatrix I used to date back in college. Kidding! It is based on the appalling true story and murder of socialite Barbara Baekeland, the wife of Brooks Baekeland, the affluent heir of the Bakelite plastics fortune. Sure Barbara was an egocentric, conceited "plastica" but there was never a dull moment in her savage-driven persona. Moreover, Brooks does not lag too behind in the self-centered department. Let's just say that The Baekelands would never have a "Baeke Sale" to raise funds for disadvantaged children. Speaking of children, the Baekes did have one in the form of Antony "Tony" Baekeland. Tony is portrayed as bipolar, spoiled, and bored. Barbara's obsessed & deranged fixation on her son Tony becomes the savage centerpiece of "Savage Grace". Themes such as: jealousy, delirium, obsession, nurture, homosexuality, incest (yes, you heard right), and eventually murder are incorporated within their relationship. Yes, she was a SAVAGE MOTHER! Mommy Babs also gets quite intrigued with Tony's homosexuality-driven lifestyle. Let's just say that Barbara and Tony were never the hit at P.T.S.A. (Parent Teacher Student Association) Meetings. All kidding aside, their relationship had a very sadistic ending when Barbara was murdered by none other than Tony. The murder was well-publicized and gathered enormous media attention and public opinion back then. Julianne Moore's emotional thespian turn as Barbara Baekeland was to die for (sorry Mrs. Baekeland), and should have gathered more attention during awards season. Her fiery scene in the airport as she confronts Brooks with a young mistress is as scene-stealing as they come in the "savage wife" department. Moore continues to bring us "more, more, more" juicy work and I can't wait for even more from the under-appreciated Julianne. However, the rest of the cast of "Savage Grace" was ungraciously inept. Stephen Dillane was for lack of a better invented word- "dullane" as Brooks, and newcomer Eddie Reymayne's monotone performance as Tony was as unauthentic as they come. Director Tom Kalin was a bit lackluster on the pacing of "Savage Grace", but I must commend him for orchestrating showcase scenes for Julianne to exhibit her thespian goods. Screenwriter Howard Rodman's script was profoundly mediocre and should have had more savage verbose within its controversial narrative. Maybe Howard should have hired his brother Dennis to assist him to inscribe more controversy. Kidding, not related! I did enjoy the vivid cinematography of the film, so hats off to Juan Miguel Aspiroz for his aspiring vision. The jewel of "Savage Grace" is the great Julianne, but not even her wondrous thespian touch can save this film from an overall gracious recommendation. *** Average
Review of Savage Grace
