Maria Full of Grace (2004)

Decent liberal-problem drama elevated by a self-assured debut performance Catalino Sandino Moreno, who makes the less well-thought-out parts of the film seem natural just through the power of her determination. There's a stretch in the middle of the film (from when Maria gets on the plane to when Lucy leaves the hotel) where it looks like this might be the film of the year. The stench of contrivance and first-time-writerism contaminates a lot of the film's other parts (yeah, yeah, we get that Maria is stubborn -- you know, like a mule!). But Catalino is good enough to make the film worth a look. (Hey, at least it's not Real Women Have Curves.)

Grade: B