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.

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....

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.

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.

Great movie of precise dialogue, well written and faithful to orthodoxy. As a Catholic I was comforted to see that there are still people capable of doing movies like this. A person like Mary deserves much more but this film will be taxed a worthy tribute. Mary is the best bridge to Our Lord and God Jesus Christ. One of the achievements of the film is to convey to the viewer the greatness of the spirit of Mary. In addition, they play with great consideration issues as important at the time as the opening of the church to non-Jews. The rhythm of the film is deliberately slow. The beauty of the landscape serves as a framework for reflection and dialogue of the characters. All this is leaving its mark on the soul of the viewer who, at the end of the film, feels that something has changed inside. Worth watching!