In contrast to "Lars and the Real Girl," "Maria Full of Grace," is depressingly realistic. There's no grand theme here, just a dramatic representation of one girl's traumatic experience as a drug mule from Colombia in the US. Life is crappy for Maria, who works de-thorning roses on a rose plantation. She's expected to support her family, including her brainless sister, who had a child with the first guy who came along. Maria is sick of the expectation that she shoulder the breadwinner role since she feels her sister has no accountability for her irresponsibility. She's also sick of the way she's treated at her job. Throw in a little morning sickness from an unintended pregnancy of her own, and she's ready to run away as far as she can.
Her method of escape is to be a drug mule, swallowing 62 1-oz. containers of heroin encased in cut-up rubber gloves, flying to New Jersey, and excreting them in exchange for $5,000. The rest of the movie follows Maria as she makes a series of bad choices, acting out of inexperience and fear.
Maria is a sympathetic character only to the extent that you can remember the stupid stuff you did as a teenager when you got into a really tough spot. But I couldn't forget that is was Maria who put herself into this situation. Just as Maria expected her sister to be responsible for the consequence of her decisions, I expected Maria to deal with hers. Maria proves to be a tough cookie who really doesn't need anybody's sympathy, just opportunities to call her own shots.
Her method of escape is to be a drug mule, swallowing 62 1-oz. containers of heroin encased in cut-up rubber gloves, flying to New Jersey, and excreting them in exchange for $5,000. The rest of the movie follows Maria as she makes a series of bad choices, acting out of inexperience and fear.
Maria is a sympathetic character only to the extent that you can remember the stupid stuff you did as a teenager when you got into a really tough spot. But I couldn't forget that is was Maria who put herself into this situation. Just as Maria expected her sister to be responsible for the consequence of her decisions, I expected Maria to deal with hers. Maria proves to be a tough cookie who really doesn't need anybody's sympathy, just opportunities to call her own shots.