MARIA FULL OF GRACE By Ally Kirk

CONTENTS
1. English summary
2. Main Characters
3. Spanish Summary
4. Personal reflection
 SUMMARY
Maria Alveres is a 17 year old girl from Colombia. She comes from a poor family where she has to work to bring in most of the families
income. Her job was working in a flower factory where she de-thorned roses. Maria disliked her boss as she felt he didnt treat her
right. One day she feels very unwell and asks can she go to the bathroom but he doesnt let her and complains to her. She then ends up
actually getting sick on the flowers which he then makes her clean. Maria decides it's time to quit her job. On her way home from work
she passes the pharmacy where her sister and mother are buying medicine for her nephew. Her mother calls her in to get her weekly
wages from her as they dont have enough to pay for the medicine. Maria gets angry with her mother saying that she is the only one
who works but she always has to give her money to her sister or the family. They get into an argument which leads to her telling them
that she has quit her job. Her mother is angry but Maria says that she will find other work.
To take her mind off things she goes to a party with her friend Blanca. Maria has a boyfriend called Juan but she is not fully happy with
him. At the party Blanca is dancing with a boy so Maria goes to find Juan to dance but finds him drunk. Angry she walks off and bumps
into another guy who starts dancing with her. His name is Franklin. He listens to her current job situation and tells her that he can help her
if she wants. The next day she meets up with Juan to tell him that she is pregnant. He suggests that they get married and move into his
family home but this is not what she wants. They then come to the conclusion that they dont really love each other and decide to break
up. Maria is then back to looking for a job. She meets with Franklin and he tells her of a job that pays really well but involves travelling
and 'dropping stuff off' Maria agrees and arranges an interview. In the interview Maria is asked about her personal life and previous
work. The interviewer asks her about her age and other details like keeping things confidential about the job. She is then given the job.
The job includes bringing drugs into the US by holding them in your stomach. They give her an initial sum of money and the name of
someone who can help with the job requirements if she needs it. When she comes home her sister confronts her about what she is going
to do without a job. Maria then tells her that she found a job but her sister doesnt believe her. Maria then takes out the money she was
given and shows it to her sister.
Maria then goes to visit a girl called Lucy who has experience with the job, swallowing pellets. Lucy brings out grapes for Maria to
practice on before she does the real thing. They get talking and Maria asks Lucy about the job. Lucy says it's not easy but you just have
to follow every instruction to get the delivery done.......
SUMMARY CONTINUED...
Maria then gets picked up by Franklin to go to the pharmacy where she has to swallow the pellets. As they are waiting Franklin
reassures her everything will be okay. When she goes up she sees the pellets being properly packaged in a special coating. At
first she struggles to get one down but then is quickly on track and swallows all 62. She is given a passport, visa, ticket,
accommodation and money. At the airport she gets through security and is waiting on the plane when she starts to feel unwell.
She also sees Lucy feeling the same way. She goes to the bathroom and passes two of the pellets but manages to get them
back in again by swallowing them. Maria arrives in New York but it quickly stopped by security. He asks for her passport and
visa and then asks her to come with him. Maria is then questioned about why she is here and how she bought the ticket. She lies
and says she is here to visit her sister but they see through her and ask for an x-ray. Maria takes a urine sample and they see
she is pregnant and won't x-ray her. She gets through finally and is collected by two guys [Traffickers] who work for her boss.
They take Maria, Blanca and Lucy back to a hotel and collect all the pellets. Lucy then gets sick and Maria is left to help her.
During the night Maria sees the two men carrying out Lucy and she goes to see what's happening. When Maria looks in the
bathroom there is blood everywhere. It is then she wakes up Blanca and decides they need to leave immediately, bringing the
drugs with them. Maria remembers Lucy talking about her sister who lives here, Carla, and decides to find her. Carla lets
Maria and Blanca stay at her home but Maria is still curious about Lucy. Maria then realises that Lucy is dead but can't find in
herself to tell Carla. When Carla finds out about Maria's involvement in Lucy's death she throws them out. Blanca and Maria
both decide they are going to return the drugs back to the traffickers and get their money. After persuasion they finally get
their money. Maria decides to use her money to send Lucy's body back to Colombia for a burial.
When Maria and Blanca are about to board the plane Maria realises she can't go back to Colombia so decides to stay in
New York. It ends by her walking through the airport the opposite way from home.
MAIN CHARACTERS
Maria Alveres played by Catalina
Sandino Moreno
Blanca played by Yenny Paola Vega
Franklin played by John Alex Toro
Lucy Diaz played by Guilied Lopez
 SPANISH SUMMARY
1. Maria Alveres tiene diecisiete anos y es de Colombia. Est embarazada y desesperada.
2. Abandona su trabajo y va a encontrar trabajo en Bogotta.
3. Habla con Franklin y sugiere que Maria trabaja como una mula para ganar ms dinero.
4. Maria ha tragado sesenta y dos pepas y va a al Nueva York con su amiga Blanca.
5. Lucy, amiga del Maria, tiene enfermo en el avin.
6. Cuando llegan en Nueva York, van a su hotel.
7. Durante el noche, Lucy muere.
8. Maria tiene miedo. Ella y Blanca dejan el hotel y van al apartamento de la hermana de Lucy, Carla. Carla es muy
simpatica.
9. Carla escucha que Lucy es muerte y esta enfadada con las chicas.
10. Maria y Blanca revolven al aeropuerto para volver a casa.
11. Maria decide quedarse en Nueva York.
 I personally really enjoyed this movie. I thought that the
story line was well chosen because I had never seen a
movie like it before. Usually movies are based on
fiction stories and can be unrealistic but this movie
really highlights major issues that are still occurring in
society. I liked how they used a younger girl and the
plot line had some twists which made it interesting
PERSONAL throughout. Before watching this movie I didn't really
have any idea what it was going to be about or what is
REFLECTION deals with but now having watched it a few times I
really understand it and can being to understand these
types of situations young people can get themselves
into. I also liked how the movie ended with Maria doing
what she thought was write for her by staying in New
York. Overall I really enjoyed this movie and would
recommend it to anyone my age and up.
Star rating: ****
THE END Thank you for watching.