Full of Grace

This film is visually stunning, with a beautiful soundtrack and powerful acting performances. It continues to haunt me weeks after seeing it. Somehow it manages to portray two larger-than-life historical figures, Peter and Mary, in a way that makes them very human and remarkably current. At the same time it remains true to the saintly nature both surely possessed, and provides insight into the historical struggles of the early church. The film manages to remain non-denominational, such that Christians of any background, and perhaps even spiritually oriented non-Christians, can enjoy it.

By the end of the film I had been moved to tears more than once, I felt I could relate to Mary and Peter in a way I never had before, and I felt closer to Christ, despite his not appearing in the movie at all. A true triumph of independent film making.

First, I have to say that based on so many one star reviews its almost like a 'Hit Job' is going on; they certainly could not have seen the same movie I did. Second, while I do believe in the existence of 'God' I would not say that I am very religious at all. BUT - I don't think that one's religious beliefs (or none) have anything to do with this movie.

This was THE BEST unheard of movie I have watched this year. I had never heard of it, and sitting around at Christmas time, I was surfing Netflix one night and came upon this movie. The description wasn't much, simply that an elderly Mary reflects upon her life, or something to that effect. Instead, it was an existential thought piece along the lines of 'My Dinner with Andre'. Although we know that the 'Virgin Mary' is the focus, it could have been anyone. An elderly woman reflecting on her life and the extradordinary events she has witnessed. She waxes philosophical with a hand maid, Sara, and then Peter, and finally others. Questions of LIfe ad Death, Fate, Redemption, and the Eternal Hereafter all come into play.

This is no 'religious' sales pitch, but instead a rational reflection of one's place i the cosmos when one has born witness to extraordinary things. Very well done, and has inspired me to look for other titles from the writers.

Some of the 1 starred reviews here are either by atheists or Protestants who have a gut-level revulsion at the name of Mary, which seems pretty insulting to Jesus if you ask me. Their ridiculously low rating does not reflect the caliber of this film, and was just intended to drag down the average rating. While I was tempted to give this a 10 star rating to counteract their biased ratings, I'm more honest then they are. It's not a perfect film. While the film takes a leisurely, artistically filmed approach, which I mostly found very meditative and wonderful, parts of are extremely slow, and I suspect were timed to just match the musical accompaniment. The film is beautifully acted by Bahia Haifi and Noam Jenkins. They really do convey "the peace of God which surpasses all understanding". Few films ever ponder what the experience of Mary was actually like. However, I did wonder at a few aspects. Shouldn't Mary have been living with John? I wished the portrayal of Communion at the end included more of Jesus' words from the Gospels.

Full of Grace, directed by Andrew Hyatt, aspires to be a reflective and spiritually profound portrayal of Mary of Nazareth's final days. While its intentions are commendable, the execution falls short, resulting in a film that feels more like a static tableau than a compelling narrative.

The performances, particularly Bahia Haifi's turn as Mary, aim for reverence but often come across as subdued and detached. The lack of emotional range in the characters prevents the story from resonating on a deeper level, leaving the audience feeling distanced rather than immersed.

Visually, the film leans heavily on muted tones and minimalist settings to evoke a sense of sacredness. While this approach complements the contemplative nature of the subject matter, it also contributes to the film's slow pacing and lack of dynamism. The dialogue, filled with theological reflections and philosophical musings, often feels more didactic than dramatic, further distancing the viewer from the characters' experiences.

Hyatt's direction appears focused on creating an atmosphere of reverence, but in doing so, it sacrifices narrative engagement. The film's meditative approach could have been effective with a stronger emotional core, but instead, it often feels like a sermon rather than a story.

Full of Grace seeks to provide a spiritual experience, but its lack of narrative energy and emotional depth makes it a challenging watch. While it may appeal to a niche audience with an interest in religious films, it struggles to connect with viewers on a broader level.

Rating: 3/10 - A well-meaning but lackluster depiction of Mary's final days.

The final days of the Virgin Mary and her conversations with Peter, the founder of the first Catholic Church, are recreated with many slow motion flashbacks. Bahia Haifi has the title role as Mary, and she delivers a subtle and glowing performance. Writer-director Andrew Hyatt is obviously a true believer in the biblical story and origins of Jesus of Nazareth. I can appreciate the aesthetic beauty of Full of Grace without having the beliefs of my personal Catholic upbringing. If Hyatt's mission was to force his audience to at least think of the possibility of redemption through faith, he has succeeded. I would like to share his acceptance of the teachings of the Church, but with my deep and doubting nature, I still do not believe in an after life. Full of Grace will at least cause a conversation on the subject.