Full of Grace

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.

I cannot recommend this movie highly enough! The actress who portrayed Mary was absolutely stunning! Not "made up" stunning.... I mean, naturally, organically, spiritually stunning! After watching this film, I felt like I had just spent the evening in conversation with Mary and Jesus' Disciples.

I hope none of my comment would be considered a "spoiler". It's not meant to be. It's pretty hard to give a decent review without really talking about the movie content, however.

Most of this movie was beautifully done, portraying the calm confidence of Mary and the struggles within the early church, especially for Peter, being looked to by everyone as the "leader". I felt, however, that it was made wonderfully clear that we are ALL followers, more than leaders, which is a good thing, since Christ is the Head, not any man or woman.

I was pleased with Mary's encouragement to the men, for the most part. She brought them successfully back to the beginning, where it all started. However, I was perturbed by Mary's closing words to the men, which were basically the words of Jesus and more along the lines of Catholicism's beliefs about Mary. That totally conflicted me, unfortunately.

I also wondered about the authenticity of the "communion" for that period of time. Was it really so? I would have imagined a loaf being broken and passed around.

On the whole, this movie was thought provoking and beautifully done, with only the one major disagreement for me, concerning Mary and doctrine around her.

Thanks for the opportunity to comment....

Mary has been one of the most debated and beloved individuals God has ever worked through.

In this beautiful work, Mary, the Mother of Christ, nears death as the early Church develops. Peter, while able to proclaim the Gospel loudly and triumphantly among Jews has begun to feel the pressure of leadership as the Church grows beyond the Jewish culture. In the midst of incredibly important decisions, and feeling unqualified, Peter seeks the counsel of Mary as she nears reunion with her Son.

This beautiful and eye opening film offers a unique perspective into Mary's role of Mother within the early Church. Practically every like of this film makes me want to grab a notebook and write word for word quotations. Additionally, special care was taken to ensure an ethnically diverse cast was taken. Moreover, the film is professional and well made unlike many other Christian movies. It's moderate pace encourages a meditative look at Christ's life and the founding of His Church from Mary's perception.

The subtle Catholic undertones through Eucharist, anointing of the sick, and other means take the film to the next level and made me fall in love with it. Even non Catholics would love this movie.

Despite the 1 star reviews from Protestant objectors, this movie does not elevate Mary to divine levels, it merely illustrates her unique and beautiful role within the Early Church. Anyone who likes the Rosary may reflect that this film is like a walking meditative Rosary.

Overall 10/10 loved it and highly recommend it!

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.