A racist cop tormented by the death of his 5-year-old son edges toward redemption in the churchy drama “The Grace Card.”
The movie’s title turns out to be a play on the words “the race card,” as ill-tempered white Memphis cop Mac McDonald (Michael Joiner) is forced to be a partner to a black officer (Michael Higgenbottom) who is also a pastor. Lou Gossett Jr. plays the pastor’s grandfather, himself a man of God who teaches his grandson forbearance.
With its poky pacing, thin characters, obvious message and predictable plot, the movie amounts to a cinematic sermon that, like many of those given in houses of worship, has a good-hearted message that will be difficult to deliver to a snoozing audience.