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 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....

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.

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 grace. it is its basic virtue who seems be the seed for a touching and profound story. the delicacy of images and dialogs. like pillars of a wise manner to present a special story about first steps of the Church. Bahia Haifi . She does a great job in a role who is always a serious challenge. the flash backs. who are frame and support for the memories of the viewer about the levels of Christian faith. the slow rhythm . who defines it more than another religious film. because it is more. it is point of reflection about manner to use your Christian roots. beautiful. and full of a rare spirit of poetry of life. a film for believers. because it not propose a subject. but a oasis to rediscover yourself for a Christian.