I didn't think the film was "too Catholic" in its emphasis on Mary the Mother of Jesus. The film never made her appear as a goddess figure, just as a concerned and heartbroken mother. I thought Maya Morgenstern's portrayal was beautiful and should be worthy of an Oscar nomination, if Hollywood was in the mood to reward a religious film (which it isn't).
The film never made her appear as a goddess figure, just as a concerned and heartbroken mother. The film was exactly in accordance with Catholic doctrine. That's the way we see her. Protestants can't see to get a handle on this...
I think Morganstern deserves the Oscar she will recieve. It will, however, be the only major one, and Hollywood will give it to her because she is Jewish. The other Oscar that this film will have to receive will be "Best Foreign Language Film."