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Maria Full of Grace (2004)
Filed under: — Arjan Welles on December 12th, 2004 04:12:53 pm

In Maria Full of Grace, the title character quits her job and decides to dive into the world of Columbian cocaine smuggling. After a quick but tough mastering of smugglers’ skills, including swallowing the goods (using grapes as a substitute for cocaine-filled condoms) and pretending to be a regular passenger, Maria sets off to New York City to deliver the precious and dangerous content of her stomach.

Director Joshua Marston did extensive research in the field of the Columbian and American underground drug scene which led to a realistic and moving story, about a young adolescent woman trying to make ends meet by engaging in a world that can never be truly hers. Marston, who also wrote the screenplay, never drowns his film in over-sentimental storylines. Actress Catalina Sandino Moreno is a true revelation in her natural and touching adventure to the US. Her performance encourages the viewer to really care about her fate. This was also confirmed by the Silver Bear she won at the International Film Festival of Berlin.

rating: 8

Directed by: Joshua Marston
Starring: Catalina Sandino Moreno, Yenny Paoloa Vega
Runtime: 101’
Release Dates: US: 16 July , UK: 25 March (2005), The Netherlands: 16 December
Official Website

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author picture Arjan Welles (213 posts)
Arjan Welles - law graduate. I work at a bank, I work as a film critic for Dutch and English media. My favorite directors are David Lynch, David Fincher, Alfred Hitchcock, Steven Spielberg, Quentin Tarantino. I love arthouse over blockbusters.

2 Comments

  • Finally saw this one. I didn’t think it was worth the hype. I was riveted right up until the plot took a huge turn for the worse right at the point Maria steals the drugs. The dealers didn’t chase down and/or kill her family. Then the dealers actually gives her the money without so much as being pushed or hit? Come on.

    And I also disagree with you on the sentimentality at the end. The last scene was overly optimistic, sentimental and corny.

    Comment by marisa — Wed June 1, 2005 @ 16:29

  • My bad… thought all you guys were dutch. Excuse me for my fast reaction!

    Comment by Tim — Wed July 13, 2005 @ 11:31

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