Maria Full of Grace
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Movie Reviews of Maria Full of Grace
Movie Review: Quite a remarkable find
Summary: 5 Stars
It's always interesting when a newcomer or a little well known actor/actress comes out with a film and just astonishes people, moreso when they find out that the newcomer is quite young. Such is the way with Catalina Sandino Moreno, the main character of this film and interestingly, the first Oscar nomination for someone of Columbian descent.
In Columbia, Catalina's character Maria works in a flower plantation de-thorning roses before they're shipped out. Her boss is pretty much an ass, she has a very loser boyfriend that ends up getting her pregnant and her family relies on her completely for money, including her sister who has a son.
She meets a guy that offers her a job: travel to New York with close to 60-70 thumb sized pellets in your stomach and get through US customs without getting detected. Deliver the pellets and you'll get paid a large sum of money. These pellets however contain heroin, and if one breaks or dissolves in their stomach, it will mean death. She meets up with Lucy, someone who's done it before and has to deal with Blanca, her friend who also ingested the pellets and is tagging along.
One nice thing about Catalina's performance is that she's playing the role like someone calling out to the audience and not demanding sympathy. She does things that are quite bad, she's a bit naive at times yet somehow you feel sympathetic towards her and want her to come out clean in the end despite her actually going through with being a mule. I'm hoping she doesn't turn out like Carrie Henn from Aliens who did quite a great job for a little girl but didn't make another film afterwards.
It's not a typical Hollywood film, it is in subtitles and it's not the most happiest of topics but Catalina's performance makes it stand out(too bad she lost the Oscar to that damn Swank girl, bah).
Movie Review: Para la audiencia hispana
Summary: 5 Stars
Quería escribir una crítica a esta película, pero al ver que habían tantas otras, decidí hacer una porque no había ninguna en Español. Esta película tiene una particular diferencia con otras extraordinarias películas colombianas: que los productores supieron promocionarla en Estados Unidos y mucho más público que de costumbre pudo verla. Generalmente las películas colombianas en este país sólo se pueden ver en festivales de cine colombiano al que asiste el limitado público interesado en este género de películas. Digo limitado comparado con la mayoría que va a ver producciones de Hollywood. También el director y parte del equipo de producción es estadounidense, otra diferencia. Pero no digo ésto para quitarle méritos a la película. Es excelente. La trama es interesante y lo mantiene a uno atento. La actuación es muy buena y natural. Catalina Sandino, la protagonista, ha sido elogiada y reconocida ampliamente por su actuación. El realismo, aunque no mágico, es cautivante; en las escenas de Colombia me sentí transportado, como si estuviera allí otra vez.
La película es sobre una chica pobre de un pueblo cerca a Bogotá que queda embarazada por su novio. Ante la presión de su casa de aportar para los gastos, con un jefe insoportable que la lleva a renunciar y debido a la incertidumbre de su futuro, decide aceptar convertirse en una de las mencionadas "mulas" colombianas. El resto de la historia es mejor dejarla para que la disfruten, pero la trama se intensifica. Es una de las películas que ningún colombiano debería perderse o cualquier persona interesada en comprender mejor nuestra cultura.
Movie Review: Deep and moving
Summary: 5 Stars
"Maria Full Of Grace" is probably one of the hardest films to watch that I've ever laid my eyes on. Not because it is graphical like "Irrevérsible" or confusing like "Mulholland Dr." but rather because it is so crude, truthful and believable.
It is not a movie about drugs, but a movie about a girl coming of age the hard way, seeing and doing things no one on this earth should have to endure. It is interesting (and difficult, in a way) to see how everything Maria says to anyone is the wrong thing to say, every option she takes is the wrong one to take. What's cruel is that we know that she never had another option. Life dictated all the trouble and Maria has no other choice but to fight back in her own way.
An important thing about this movie is that every actor is from Colombia, so whatever the film lacks in terms of the acting of some of its characters (and it does), it gets it back in realism. The notable exception is Catalina Sandino Moreno, who displays in some shots a remarkable facial resemblance to Salma Hayek. Her acting is so perfect and adjusted that you get the clear impression that she was born to play Maria. In her performance lies much of the secret for this film to work so well. I for one am eager to see more coming from her in the future.
Life can play hideous tricks on everyone and I agree with the previous comment that says we are fortunate to be immune to much of what happens to Maria. "Maria Full of Grace" doesn't lose itself to the temptation of exageration and stays true to its premise all the way through. I don't think it wants to teach any higher lesson, except to always keep your chin up in the face of adversity.
Maria was forced to learn things the hard way but most people can learn from Maria. Think about it and cherish that moment.
Movie Review: A film that puts most every other 2004 film to shame.
Summary: 5 Stars
I spent the hundred or so minutes of this film's duration in a hypnotized but stressed-out state. Stress because I felt as if I was standing right there next to Maria Alvarez, the titular character.
This remarkable film does so many things well, it's hard to catalog them...but I'll try anyways.
First, the depiction of life in Colombia, and how simple/necessary it is to become involved in the drug trade, is effortlessly but exquisitely told. Our heroine has no other options...it's obvious.
Second, the details on, shall we say, "mule" training, were enough to make my wife and I both nearly gag in empathy.
Third, the suspense that builds during the initial travel to the U.S. is nerve-rattling.
Fourth, the entry into NY and the harrowing motel scenes, again, are brilliantly but plainly told. I didn't want to blink.
That's all fine and dandy, but the single unifying element that raises this film into the category of something "really special" is the performance of Catalina Sandino Moreno. Miss Moreno presents us with a fully formed, incredibly detailed and nuanced character; there's not a false note in her entire performance. She had me from the moment she appeared until the final fade-out.
Now having seen this movie, there is no question why she was nominated for Best Actress. It's that good.
In an age where sequels are made from the most embarrassing tripe, here is one of those rare films where I would do anything to see what happens after the credits roll.
I need to know that she's OK.
I'm from Colombia. I know Colombia. This film gets it right.
Bravo, Joshua Marston and bravo Miss Moreno. You've made a simple, eloquent film that puts most everything else from 2004 to shame.
Movie Review: Great small film and marketing done right
Summary: 5 Stars
For once, here's a small, low budget film done justice by its excellent marketing campaign. First, my compliments to whoever designed the movie poster - to the uninitiated, it would appear that Catalina Sandrino Moreno's 'Maria' is about to receive Holy Communion - a perfect juxtaposition in devoutly Catholic Colombia. Those who've seen the stark, no punches trailer know that Maria is receiving a baptism of a far different sort.
I often get frustrated when a powerful film like 'East Is East' is marketed here as a 'breezy charmer' (no lie - that was the campaign for a movie that was anything but). So, I'm obligated to note when a movie and its marketing efforts respect the intelligence of its viewing audience. Thank you, HBO Films. And thanks, too, for taking a bet on writer/director Joshua Marston despite his brief biography. Good to see that HBO continues to recognize that the best ideas don't always come out of the Hollywood enclave.
Ultimately, this movie works because of Catalina Sandrino Moreno's brilliant performance. You have to believe her naiveté, and for the ability of this 23-year-old to pull off a performance as a doe-eyed 17-year-old. How/why could anyone become a mule, you ask? 'Maria' makes you see how a person could find themselves compelled to make such a choice.
'Maria' is also notable for its excellent depiction of the Colombian immigrants' support system in New York City, featuring a wonderful performances from Orlando Tobon as "Don Fernando" - a one-man office source of job leads, explainer of the U.S. legal system and all-around 'shoulder to lean on' for 'Colombians en el Exterior' in his neighborhood. Given that Sr. Tobon is also Associate Producer, I suspect 'Don Fernando' is not too far from the role he plays in real life.