"The 10-nation cast boasts Oscar nominees Shohreh Aghdashloo ("House of Sand and Fog") as Elizabeth, mother of John the Baptist; and the magnetic Keisha Castle-Hughes ("Whale Rider") in the primary role of her cousin Mary" RICHARD N. OSTLING (Associated Press)

"The story is a timeless one and Mary is elegantly portrayed by Keisha Castle Hughes" - Carrie Lloyd

"Thanks to a superb performance from Castle-Hughes, at 13 the youngest best actress Oscar nominee for "Whale Rider," Mary becomes more human.
It's understandable that this would be a difficult character to cast. Thankfully, Castle-Hughes is talented enough to portray a sensitive everywoman who blossoms into the religious world's most important mother.
Castle-Hughes, pregnant herself as this film hits the screen, is, nonetheless, extraordinary as mother Mary." - Larry Ratliff (Express-News Film Critic)