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In a striking debut, Moreno carries the movie and puts a human face on the drug trade.
All Critics (144) | Top Critics (36) | Fresh (139) | Rotten (5) | DVD (6)
The movie puts us in Maria's shoes, taking us step by suspenseful step through her physical and spiritual ordeal. Mar 13, 2018 | Full Review…
The movie puts us in Maria's shoes, taking us step by suspenseful step through her physical and spiritual ordeal.
David Ansen
Marston's compact, personal film doesn't judge his Maria, it merely observes her, explains her and humanizes a dark corner of a dirty business. Sep 3, 2004 | Rating: 4/5
Marston's compact, personal film doesn't judge his Maria, it merely observes her, explains her and humanizes a dark corner of a dirty business.
Roger Moore
The fact that [Moreno's] Maria is so believable, so compelling, rests entirely on what she brings to the part, not what the part brings to her. Her face is the kind that can carry a movie on the strength of sheer screen presence. Aug 26, 2004 | Rating: 3.5/5
The fact that [Moreno's] Maria is so believable, so compelling, rests entirely on what she brings to the part, not what the part brings to her. Her face is the kind that can carry a movie on the strength of sheer screen presence.
Richard Nilsen
One of those films that finds strength in its directness, that passes up the fireworks and cheap tricks and just goes straight for the starkness of a powerful situation. Aug 6, 2004 | Rating: B
One of those films that finds strength in its directness, that passes up the fireworks and cheap tricks and just goes straight for the starkness of a powerful situation.
Tom Long
One of the emblematic migration stories of our time. Aug 1, 2004
One of the emblematic migration stories of our time.
David Denby
A stunner of a film. Jul 30, 2004 | Full Review…
A stunner of a film.
Desson Thomson
A stunning performance by [Catalina Sandino] Moreno is the hallmark of the film... Sep 12, 2017 | Rating: A | Full Review…
A stunning performance by [Catalina Sandino] Moreno is the hallmark of the film...
Candice Frederick
Unflinching drama of the journey of a drug mule. Jan 1, 2011 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…
Unflinching drama of the journey of a drug mule.
David Gurney
The subject could be, and has been, exploitative in other films, but Joshua Marston shrewdly sketches asides of drama about whether Maria should simply remain in New York. To his credit, that outcome feels as fraught with peril as her drug-running. Sep 19, 2010 | Rating: 4/4 | Full Review…
The subject could be, and has been, exploitative in other films, but Joshua Marston shrewdly sketches asides of drama about whether Maria should simply remain in New York. To his credit, that outcome feels as fraught with peril as her drug-running.
Nick Rogers
"Maria Full Of Grace" was a hit at the Sundance Film Festival and carries the cinematic currency of an important and thought provoking drama. Jul 11, 2010 | Rating: A | Full Review…
"Maria Full Of Grace" was a hit at the Sundance Film Festival and carries the cinematic currency of an important and thought provoking drama.
Cole Smithey
'Maria Full of Grace' offers a clear picture of the economics that drive the hopeless many to take risks in the enrichment of the few. Apr 28, 2010 | Full Review…
'Maria Full of Grace' offers a clear picture of the economics that drive the hopeless many to take risks in the enrichment of the few.
Donald J. Levit
Moreno gives a very memorable debut performance... Apr 29, 2009 | Full Review…
Moreno gives a very memorable debut performance...
Felix Vasquez Jr.
This was quite a story to see portrayed on film. Not to be missed.
Super Reviewer
An original take on the drug trade, dealing with a seventeen year old girl (Catalina Sandino Moreno) who, pressured to find a job, agrees to become a drug mule, since the pay is good and it sounds like she will be taken care of. You don't know what to expect really after she agrees to take the job, and neither does she. An overall incredible film with a powerful performance from Moreno (she got nominated for Best Actress). Although it loses a little steam in it's last half, this is a mostly excellent movie that feels authentic all the way through.
An impressive film which shows a realistic story based around drug muelling. Great performances all around, but particularly from Catalina Sandino Moreno who played the lead character. A Drama which really pulls you in and see the circumstances from different viewpoints. Definitely a recommendation ? an instant favourite for me.
A beautiful Colombian teenager discovers that 'easy money' isn't always so easy when she gets lured into the harsh, dangerous world of drug trafficking. In order for a so-called 'message film' to work there has to be at least one character that an audience can really care about, Maria Full of Grace has an abundance of them. A talented cast and no-nonsense scripting elevate this somewhat predictable storyline to something meaningful and moving. Four Stars.
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