I finally watched this movie in its entirety, and I'm so happy I did. I knew I was going to like it, but it went beyond my expectations. Grandma's House is the story of a teenager named Kimberly (Coco Jones). When her mom (Wendy Racquel Robinson) starts drinking excessively after having marital problems with her stepfather, she goes to live with her grandmother, Margie (Loretta Devine), who operates a foster home. She exercises tough love. Anyone who was raised old school will recognize the phrases she uses and the comments she makes. The kids she fosters think she's too strict, but she cares about and loves them deeply. She's dedicated to instilling values and guiding them from making poor decisions. It's a movie that really exemplifies how grandmothers play such a pivotal role in transferring wisdom to their grandchildren. What it all comes down to, is whether or not they listen. Kimberly thinks her grandma is overreacting when she tells her that her boyfriend just wants to have sex. She also thinks she's overprotective for not allowing her to be who she is and live her life. Of course, she finds out the hard way (thankfully, it wasn't too bad, just kind of awkward) that her grandma was right about her boyfriend. She refuses his advances. That's definitely not something you would see in a Hollywood production. Secular films always show teens doing risky activities with little to no consequences, and I can't stand watching anything that's unrealistic and silly. Christian movies depict how ordinary, everyday people actually live, not a fabricated version. Whenever I review these movies, I try to avoid saying only Christians should watch them. They are for everybody, but... If you're a Christian, the Biblical principles within the dialogue will speak to you more. Overall, it's a beautiful film. Just as a warning, it is a tear-jerker. And yes, it contains elements that aren't suitable for small kids - not just the substance use/abuse, but also violence. However, it's not as graphic compared to a lot of other films that I've seen. Crime dramas on TV are much worse. Grandma's House is appropriate for age 12 and older. Despite it being sad in some places, I could still watch it more than once. A must add to your movie collection, especially if you're a fan of Christian films.
