Disturbing. It is impossible to sit through Maria Full of Grace and not be affected by the circumstances of the characters. For that, the credit must go to Marston and his actors.
100
Entertainment WeeklyLisa Schwarzbaum
Entertainment WeeklyLisa Schwarzbaum
Unfolds with a simplicity that's as breathtaking as its inevitability is harrowing.
Timely, pointed messages about oppression and opportunity come poignantly through in strongly dramatic terms.
90
L.A. WeeklyElla Taylor
L.A. WeeklyElla Taylor
The movie is thrillingly subjective, teeming with the fullness of everyday proletarian life that one finds in the work of the directors who most influenced Marston in the making of this movie: Hector Babenco and the Brazilian realists, Ken Loach and Mike Leigh.
88
USA TodayClaudia Puig
USA TodayClaudia Puig
Gracefully acted, and the story packs a powerful punch straight to the gut.
80
Film Threat
Film Threat
Isn’t really about drugs. It’s about what motivates people to make hard choices. However, deciding whether or not to view this unique glimpse into a seldom seen world should be easy. It’s a must-see.
80
Village VoiceMark Holcomb
Village VoiceMark Holcomb
It's a remarkably assured and humane feature debut.
70
The Hollywood Reporter
The Hollywood Reporter
Ultimately, the ending is a bit of a cop-out, but that's a small criticism for a film with such decent perspectives.