Maria Full of Grace

For years, I have had a sweet spot for foreign films. Sure, sometimes it's hard to get my friends to agree to watch a film that has -gasp- SUBTITLES, but sure enough some of my favorites fall under this category. Whether I'm watching Amelie or Y Tu Mama Tambien, I feel as if I am not only watching a fascinating plot unfold, but am nearly experiencing life abroad. One film that I've recently seen, Maria Full of Grace, resonated with me for weeks after the viewing. This is a film produced between Columbia and the US about a teenage Columbian girl forced to resort to employment as a drug mule in attempt to keep her life afloat.

Trying to refrain from any spoilers, I want to explain to my readers why this film needs to be immediately added to your to-watch list. There are some films that are fairly passive experiences- you watch a story develop, but never truly feel an impact on your own life in any way. There is a detectable barrier between your own life and the life of the characters portrayed before you. Maria Full of Grace is not one of these films. Before popping the DVD into my computer, I knew absolutely nothing about this film. I knew it was Columbian, and that it received positive feedback from audiences. I knew nothing of the plot, the acting, the script. As the scenes appeared before me I felt a connection between my self and the protagonist, Maria. Sure, she is a young girl dealing with hardships many young girls deal with. But the connection went far deeper than this. The main actor, Catalina Sandino Moreno, was able to convince me so deeply of her character that I felt as if I was going through her experiences with her, feeling what she felt.


Not only were the plot developments raw, emotional, and extremely intense, but the twists and turns completely capture the attention of the viewer. What truly sets this film apart from others of the same category are the heartfelt and powerful acting performances, as well as the sheer believability of the storyline. The main actor is clearly the most convincing and has the most developed character, however every character is vital to the intensity of the film. Although the experiences Maria goes through are unlike the average person, the way events occur on-screen make it evident that these situations are a reality for some people in the world. The film is very humbling, and will leave you with gratitude for your own life, and disbelief at the misfortune of others.