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

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 is enthralling and evocative, despite some flaws.

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

Uncannily in tune with contemporary global events.

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

Maryam is more timely now than ever.

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

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

| Original Score: B | Apr 4, 2002

Carefully crafted, notably in its deft dramatic structuring, and has become timely in a way its maker could never have anticipated.

| Original Score: 3.5/5 | Mar 8, 2002

This movie may not have the highest production values you've ever seen, but it's the work of an artist, one whose view of America, history and the awkwardness of human life is generous and deep.

| Mar 2, 2002

Serry does a fine job of capturing the climate of the times and, perhaps unwittingly, relating it to what is happening in America in 2002. But hard-to-believe plot twists force the movie off track in its final half hour.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/4 | Feb 22, 2002

[Serry] wants to blend politics and drama, an admirable ambition. It's too bad that the helping hand he uses to stir his ingredients is also a heavy one.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Feb 22, 2002

It's a very valuable film...

Full Review | Feb 19, 2002

Serry perfectly captures the peculiar climate, creating uncanny echoes with today's situation.

| Feb 19, 2002

Most impressive, though, is the film's open-ended finale that refuses to entirely close its characters' emotional wounds.

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