FlashCallahan After a tragic accident, a grieving grandfather is suddenly left to care for his beloved granddaughter. When her paternal grandmother seeks custody with the help of her brother, the little girl is torn between two families who love her deeply. With the best intentions at heart, both families fight for what they feel is right and are soon forced to confront their true feelings about more sensitive subjects.....Well done to Costner for footing the majority of the budget, because if he had not, we wouldn't have been privileged to see such an emotional, brilliantly acted piece of work. And it's a shame that not many people will get to see this film, because it didn't really do that well in the U.S and here in the U.K, it went straight to home cinema.He film is a difficult sell, and the racial undertones can be quite unsettling at times, but the film is about Costner's quest to keep his granddaughter, as the film depicts that her fathers side of the family haven't really been interested, until now.Step in Spencer, who is absolutely fantastic as the grandmother. But just as you expect the film to go into the predictable zone, it surprises the viewer by showing that despite the feud that is going on, the two grandparents are quite amicable with each other, it's what's going on beyond this relationship where the bad blood lies.Step in the father, who Costner blames for the death of his daughter (although this is never fully explained, the films only real flaw), and this brings back emotions, and makes him just ever so slightly more aggressive toward his loved ones, which doesn't help his cause.For such an important film, there is a lot of humour scattered around, but it works, despite the fact that it is focusing on Costner's drinking problem, which is a pivotal point of the narrative, because there are times you really think he's going to lose it with his grand daughter.But all in all, it's a wonderful film, and Costner hasn't been this good in a long time.I urge you to seek it out.

leonblackwood Review: As I hadn't heard of this movie before and Costner's previous movies haven't been that great, I wasn't really expecting much from this emotional drama but I must say, I really enjoyed it. The performances are great and the witty script is full of drama right from the get go. Kevin Costner plays Elliot Anderson, who finds out that his wife has died in an car accident, so he turns to alcohol for comfort. The following morning he hides the alcohol bottles from his mixed race granddaughter, Eloise (Jillian Estell) and he gets her ready for school. As he doesn't know her regular routine, Eloise tells him what to do but he still gets lost whilst driving her to school, because he has never been there before. When he finally drops her off, he returns home to organise the funeral arrangements with his best friend Rick (Bill Burr) and his girlfriend Fay (Gillian Jacobs). Because Elliot is drinking, Rick takes Elliot to pick up Eloise from school, we're he tells her about the tragic accident. At the funeral, Eloise's other grandmother, Rowena (Octavia Spencer), attends with her large family and talks to Elliot about Eloise living with them but he's happy with the way things are. As Elliot struggles to help Eloise with her homework, he hires a tutor, Duvan (Mpho Koaha) to help both of them and he reveals that his daughter died whilst giving birth to Eloise. Elliot then finds out that Rowena wants to sue him for custody, via her brother Jeremiah (Anthony Mackie), whose a hot shot lawyer with high credentials. Elliot then pays Duvan to drive him around, because of his unhealthy drinking habit and he drives him to Rowena's house because he wants her to drop the court case. She accuses him of not wanting Eloise to know her black roots so Elliot mentions that she is going to a good school and she is living in a safe neighbourhood. He also mentions the problems that her son Reggie (Andre Holland) caused there family while he was addicted to crack, which doesn't go down to well. Jeremiah then convinces his sister to play the race card and he hires a black judge to take the case. After the initial hearing, Elliot keeps on drinking while Eloise is seeing a psychiatrist and starts to ask questions about her dad. Reggie then shows up at Elliot's office, asking for money to clear his debts in return for staying out of the proceedings, which will give Elliot a better chance of winning. He asks him to see Eloise because she has been asking for him, so she gets dressed up and waits for his arrival but he doesn't turn up. After another night hitting the bottle, Rowena's family turn up at Elliot's house to go swimming and Reggie sits outside, nervous to join them. Because Reggie didn't see Eloise the night before, Elliot confronts Reggie and he tells him a few home truths. Reggie then spends some time with his daughter and Elliot offers him $25,000 to get clean, which he takes whilst saying that he is off the drugs. Back in the courtroom, Reggie tells the judge that Elliot bribed him with the cash and later on that night, Reggie takes Eloise from Elliot's house. When the maid calls Elliot to tell him about the ordeal, he rushes to Rowena's to see Eloise playing the piano during a musical gathering and he can see Reggie smoking and drinking across the road. After a violent confrontation, he warns him to stay away from Eloise and he tells Rowena the true reason why he gave him the money. Back at court, Duvan tells the judge about Elliot's drinking and Reggie says his rehearsed lines. When Elliot takes the stand, he talks about the problems that he had with Reggie in the past and he's questioned about the time he will be able to spend with Eloise, when he goes back to work. Later on that night, Reggie turns up at Elliot's house, asking for more money and he pulls a knife on Elliot, which leads to a fight. After falling into the pool with a head injury, Reggie goes upstairs to get Eloise. He then sees pictures that Eloise has drawn of him and her grandparents and he sees some old pictures of her mum, which brings him back to his senses. He then goes back to the pool and saves Elliot's life, whilst constantly apologising for the way he treated Elliot's daughter. A week later, Reggie admits that he isn't ready to be a father and that he has to go away to get himself together so Elliot doesn't mention the alteration at his house. Rowena admits that Elliot has Eloise's best interest at heart so she also drops her charges. After a while, Elliot drops Eloise at Rowena's house because he needs a couple of weeks to get himself together but he still wants Duvan to tutor her and take her to school. A warm hearted film which covers some delicate matters! I personally didn't want the film to end and I found the chemistry between Costner and Eloise, touching. I'm glad to see that the movie made a profit because it really did deserve it. Great Watch!Round-Up: This movie was directed by Mike Binder who brought you Indian Summer, the awful Blankman, the Upside of Anger and Reign Over Me, which I really enjoyed. He really did put together a great film and he got the most out of the actors, so I have to give credit when it's due. Budget: $9million Worldwide Gross: $21.5millionI recommend this movie to people who are into their dramatic movies starring Kevin Costner, Octavia Spencer, Jillian Estell, Anthony Mackie and Gillian Jacobs and Jennifer Ehle. 7/10

TxMike Interesting that this movie is set in the Los Angeles area but filmed mostly in New Orleans. As Costner, who put up the money for the film, explained the incentives were better in Louisiana and they could do more with the money they had to spend.Kevin Costner is Elliot Anderson and as the movie opens we see him in sadness, his wife had just died. She had been the primary caretaker for their granddaughter because their daughter had died in childbirth and the father was a deadbeat dad. But as a partner in a major law firm, does Elliot really have the energy and time to care for the 9-yr-old himself?Stepping forward is the grandmother on the deadbeat dad's side, Octavia Spencer as Rowena Jeffers. She is a very annoying character and is played perfectly. So what starts out as a simple custody discussion turns into a racially-charged discussion. Rowena wants the child, who is half-black, to live with her extended family of relatives on the south side. But the girl has only known the life she is living and seems very happy with grandpa.The young girl is a revelation, a superb natural actress, Texan Jillian Estell as Eloise Anderson. Estell herself has a white mother and a black father so it probably was easy for her to relate to the issues, plus she has perfect looks for the part.This is a good subject and a good story. Costner is in great form as the high-powered lawyer who drinks too much but always seems to get his way. Nothing goes smoothly but in the end is resolved with the best interests of the young girl in mind. SPOILERS: I do have an issue with the way things are resolved. As the story moved forward the girl's father came forward and testified that he was a changed man and wanted custody. But after some back-n- forth he changed his tune, said he wasn't ready to be a dad, so Rowena gave up also. In other words after all the build-up and jockeying in the end it all went away and stings stayed as they were. It seems like the best solution, it just seems a bit trite.

Lorianna Gold Thank you Kevin Costner for such a wonderful touching moving movie. A great Dad by Mr.Costner is a real fighter for his sweet little granddaughter, the only close person he has. Such a great performance by the wonderful actors, I couldn't help crying at some moments. Its terrible that the race problem is still occurred day by day but its really good that people (actors, writers whoever) care about it and try to fight the problem their way. And yes I would definitely recommend the movie to others because thats one of those touching movies one will never forget and will watch it again and again. 10 out 10. Thank u Kevin! Ure the greatest!