Grace and Glorie

Grace & Glorie is an inspiring drama about two women, complete opposites, who become friends at a time when both are facing watershed events in their lives.

An elderly, illiterate southern woman, Grace Stiles (Gena Rowlands), is cancer-stricken, hospitalized and doesn't have long to live. She refuses all medication, prepared to experience death fully.

Her grandson, Roy Talbert, brings her a sales contract to sign regarding ownership status of her farm. Without reading it, Grace signs the agreement, which states that at her death, the property will pass into the hands of a real estate developer. With little that can be done for her advancing illness, Grace is released from the hospital and assigned a hospice worker, Gloria (aka Glorie) Whitmore (Diane Lane), to take care of her at home.

Glorie, a sophisticated, highly educated former career woman and her successful lawyer husband, David, have just moved to Virginia from New York. They have relocated in an attempt to get over the death of their 12-year-old son. Gloria's past lifestyle as an executive for a corporate consulting firm is literally miles apart from Grace's simple lifestyle of cooking on a wood-burning stove and fetching eggs from the chicken coop.

When Glorie reveals that she has taken this volunteer assignment as a way to help others deal with death, the two women bond on an emotional level. Grace teaches Glorie the ways of the country and Glorie teaches Grace how to read. Grace even shares with Glorie the apple orchard design quilt she is making for her young relative, Luanne.

Out of curiosity, Glorie decides to have her husband investigate the legality of the sale of Grace's farm. When they find out that Grace is due a substantial sum of money, Glorie convinces Grace to make a will, leaving the money to Roy and Luanne.

The wonderful bond of friendship that the two share becomes a healing process for both, helping Grace make peace with her future, and Glorie with her past. Grace, now content, spends her final days gazing out at her beloved apple orchard. Shortly after, the developers come in and knock down the orchard. It is now the end for the orchard and for Grace as well.

Glorie stays with Grace till the bitter end. She realizes that the wisdom and grit of this old woman has helped her overcome the guilt and grief of losing her son. When Grace takes her final breaths, Glorie sits by the bed for a moment and tucks the old woman's hand under the quilt. Realizing she is holding an apple, Glorie, with tears streaming down her face, looks out toward the orchard. She then bites into the apple, savoring all its sweetness, all its life.