Grace of my Heart starts in the year 1958, the end of the Eisenhower era. The musical ambitions of Edna Buxton (Illeana Douglas), heiress to a steel fortune in Philadelphia, are scarcely accepted by her mother. Instead of the desired white ball gown, dear daughter dresses in black and sings and composes a repertoire her mother detests. So Edna goes to New York, where a year of auditions in vain bring her to the brink of a nervous breakdown. Female singer-songwriters are not (yet) in demand. Yet she is noticed by manager Joel Millner (John Turturro), who changes her name to Denise Waverly, has her write songs for the popular crooners of the day and promises her that, when the timeis ripe, she can sing her own songs. The sixties are turbulent for Edna/Denise. The becomes involved both professionally and romantically with the idealist Howard Caszatt (Eric Stolz). Their songs are however banished from the radio and Howard is not a faithful husband. With surf music producer Jay Phillips (Matt Dillon) Edna moves to California.Supposedly based on the life story of Carole King, Grace of my Heart is above all a wonderful music film. The score includes contributions by Elvis Costello, Los Lobos and Dave Stewart, as well as veterans such as Burt Bacharach and Gerry Goffin. Together they made an ode to the golden years of American pop music.
