A lovely, intricate coming-of-age portrait set in a cross-cultural context, "Maryam" reps a promising debut from Ramin Serry.

Full Review | Mar 27, 2009

| Original Score: 4.5/5 | Dec 6, 2005

Smarter in its message than its execution, this is still a thought-provoking rental.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Sep 16, 2005

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Aug 12, 2005

| Original Score: 4/5 | Apr 5, 2003

First-time writer-director Serry shows a remarkable gift for storytelling with this moving, effective little film.

Full Review | Original Score: 4.5/5 | Dec 8, 2002

High on melodrama. But it's emotionally engrossing, too, thanks to strong, credible performances from the whole cast.

Full Review | Jul 26, 2002

A searing reminder of the relevance of recent history and of the timeless power of fiction to humanize people and crystallize sweeping events into personal drama.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Jul 20, 2002

It's a very sincere work, but it would be better as a diary or documentary.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/4 | Jul 19, 2002

A quietly moving look back at what it was to be Iranian-American in 1979.

| Jul 19, 2002

It takes this never-ending confusion and hatred, puts a human face on it, evokes shame among all who are party to it and even promotes understanding.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Jun 10, 2002

It is enthralling and evocative, despite some flaws.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Jun 7, 2002

captures that perverse element of the Kafkaesque where identity, overnight, is robbed and replaced with a persecuted "other."

| Original Score: 3/4 | Apr 25, 2002

It's good; indeed, it's important.

| Apr 21, 2002

Uncannily in tune with contemporary global events.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4 | Apr 19, 2002

The film is powerful, accessible and funny. You won't miss its messages, but you'll be entertained as well.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Apr 19, 2002

Maryam is a small film, but it offers large rewards.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4 | Apr 13, 2002

Maryam is more timely now than ever.

| Original Score: 3.5/4 | Apr 12, 2002

The picture would be better suited to public television, where its modest character will be more at home and its didacticism perhaps less blatant.

| Original Score: C+ | Apr 11, 2002

Not only a coming-of-age story and cautionary parable, but also a perfectly rendered period piece.

| Original Score: B | Apr 4, 2002