Maria Full of Grace 2004

Seventeen-year-old Maria Alvarez, portrayed by Catalina Sandino Moreno, works tirelessly in harsh conditions at a flower plantation, striving to support her family, which includes her mother, grandmother, and an unemployed sister, Diana (Johanna Andrea Mora), who struggles as a single mother. Maria feels resentment over her financial sacrifices, especially as Diana seems to escape similar hardships. Each day, Maria endures grueling hours, traveling by bus to work alongside hundreds of other women.

The situation grows more complicated when Maria learns she is pregnant by her boyfriend Juan (Wilson Guerrero). Although he proposes marriage, she refuses, feeling she does not love him, and also uncomfortable with the fact that Juan lives with ten others in cramped quarters, sharing a room with his brother, refusing to move in with her.

At work, Maria faces a relentless boss who denies her even basic restroom breaks. When morning sickness strikes, causing her to vomit over roses, her boss punishes her by forcing her to clean up the mess and work extra hours to make up for it. This traumatic incident prompts Maria to quit her job, much to her family’s disapproval.

While attending a party thrown by her coworker Blanca, Maria meets her boyfriend Felipe (Charles Albert Patino), who introduces her to Franklin (John Alex Toro). Picking Maria up at the bus station on her way to Bogota for a potential maid job, Franklin tempting offers her a much riskier opportunity—transporting drugs as a mule. Desperate to break free from her current situation, Maria accepts the perilous job, trusting Franklin to manage all necessary paperwork for her journey.

Soon, Maria is introduced to Javier (Jaime Osorio Gomez), a ruthless mob boss who oversees the mule operation. For her risky travels, Maria is promised substantial payment but must first endure a grueling training regimen led by Lucy, another mule played by Guilied Lopez. Maria learns the invasive procedure of swallowing pellets filled with cocaine, practicing with grapes to prepare for her first trip.

Eventually, Maria discovers that Blanca has also signed on as a mule, and they are made to swallow a staggering 62 pellets each before departing to the United States. Upon arrival in New York City, the pressure mounts. Maria’s situation intensifies as she navigates the tight scrutiny of U.S. customs, combating suspicions over her cash and pregnancy.

As the story unfolds, Maria realizes the dangerous reality as their group of mules is held captive in a motel until they pass all the drugs. Tragedy strikes when Lucy becomes gravely ill due to a ruptured pellet, leading them to comprehend the terrifying lengths the traffickers will go to protect their operation. Shocked and frightened, Maria persuades Blanca to escape with her when the traffickers leave to dispose of Lucy’s body.

With no safe haven, Maria seeks refuge with Lucy’s sister Carla (Patricia Rae) but conceals the grim truth of Lucy’s fate. After a brief reprieve, Blanca attempts to sell the drugs they’ve smuggled while expressing their plight to a local Don Fernando (Orlando Tobon), who promises to help but insists they must return the drugs to avoid further tragedy.

Amidst the chaos, Maria takes a moment to venture for an ultrasound and lunch while Carla shares her own story of survival. However, when Carla inadvertently learns about their involvement in Lucy’s death, tensions flare, and she tells them to leave. Eventually, Maria reconnects with Blanca, and they agree to return the drugs to the gang to secure their finances.

In a gesture of goodwill, Maria uses a portion of her illicit earnings to send Lucy’s body back to Colombia for a proper farewell. As Maria prepares to return home, she makes a life-altering decision to remain in the United States, while Blanca makes the journey back to Colombia alone, leaving Maria to carve out her new path amidst the dangers of her choices.