Maria Full of Grace is a 2004 drama film directed by Joshua Marston and stars Catalina Sandino Moreno in the lead role. The movie centers around the life of Maria Alvarez, a young woman living in a small town in Colombia. She finds out that she is pregnant and wants to provide for her family. However, she works in a low-paying job as a flower packer, and her wages alone are not enough to support her family.
One day, Maria meets a man who offers her a job as a drug mule. She is hesitant, but the idea of making quick and easy money is too tempting to resist. In this dangerous line of work, Maria would have to ingest dozens of pellets of cocaine and smuggle them into the United States. She risks being caught by the airport authorities, arrested, and even killed.
However, despite the risks, Maria agrees to the job. She undergoes rigorous training and soon leaves for the United States. Along with two other drug mules, she manages to get through customs and lands in New York City. Once there, she is taken to a safe house where doctors remove the pellets from her stomach.
This is where the real danger begins. Maria is left to navigate the harsh world of the drug trade in New York, where she meets people who show her kindness and others who are ruthless, violent, and manipulative. She is forced to make difficult choices that affect her life and those of her loved ones back home.
The movie showcases the hardships faced by immigrants and the dangers involved in the illegal drug trade. It is a gritty and realistic portrayal of the life of a drug mule and the consequences they face. Catalina Sandino Moreno delivers a stellar performance as Maria, bringing depth and complexity to the character. The film went on to receive critical acclaim and several awards, including nominations for the Academy Award for Best Actress and Best Original Screenplay.