Product Details

• Actors: Norma Aleandro, Norma Argentina, Marcos Mundstock, Claudia Lapacó, Elsa Berenguer
• Directors: Jorge Gaggero
• Writers: Jorge Gaggero
• Producers: Diego Mas Trelles, Marina Zeising, Natalia Nuñez, Verónica Cura
• Format: Color, Dolby, DVD, Subtitled, NTSC
• Language: Spanish
• Subtitles: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: Unrated
• Studio: Koch Lorber Films
• DVD Release Date: December 4, 2007
• Run Time: 83 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000VUHDC2
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #110,299 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "Live-In Maid" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

LIVE IN MAID - DVD Movie

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars subtle, poignant look at the class struggle, September 5, 2009

By 

Roland E. Zwick (Valencia, Ca USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Live-In Maid (DVD)

Beautifully written and directed by Jorge Gaggero, "Live-in Maid" is a bit like an Argentine version of "Driving Miss Daisy." Beba (Norma Aleandro) is an aging divorcee from the privileged upper classes whose ever-worsening financial situation is making it harder and harder for her to maintain herself in the lifestyle to which she is accustomed - including paying the salary of Dora (Norma Argentina), her loyal but longsuffering housekeeper who has put up with her boss' moodiness, petulance and condescending attitude for thirty years now. Yet, as in "Miss Daisy," the relationship between these two women cannot be pigeonholed quite so neatly. In fact, their story, rich in ambiguity and emotional complexity, comes to reflect in miniature the much broader conflict that exists between the ruling class and the servant class in our society.

In truth, there is no logical reason why these two individuals from wildly divergent social backgrounds should even be expected to get along at all. Certainly, Dora has every reason to resent Beba for her privilege, her rank and the often imperious manner in which she treats her. Yet, in her own way, the stoic, taciturn Dora comes to pity Beba for the hard times, both financially and emotionally, that the previously pampered woman suddenly finds herself going through. Indeed, things get so bad for Beba that she is forced to sell virtually everything she owns to keep herself afloat, and even has to humiliate herself by trading merchandise for food in a second-rate cafeteria. In addition, Beba's grown daughter wants to play as little a part in her mother`s life as possible. In the same way, although Beba clearly doesn't treat Dora as her equal, she understands deep down inside that this "subordinate" is also probably the only real companion left to her in the world, the one person she can reach out to for comfort and support. The relationship between them may be one of mistress and servant, but the two parties also have much that unites them, including the problems common to women their age, their concomitant struggles with money, and the fact that fate has thrust them together for such prolonged and extended periods of time that they can`t help but get to know one another on an intimate level. It is the discovery of their common humanity, brought about by this enforced closeness, that finally allows their relationship to blossom into a friendship between equals that crosses class lines.

On a sociological level, the movie points out the irony that it is the people with the most power who, when the chips are down, are really the most helpless and fragile - and the people with the least power who are the most persevering and tough and seemingly most equipped to cope with the vicissitudes of life.

Superbly understated performances by the pair of Normas - their scenes together are really quite breathtaking and quietly masterful - as well as flavorful and subtle storytelling make "Live-in Maid" an intensely poignant, wholly believable and thoroughly absorbing experience throughout.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Sad but Uplifting, February 22, 2010

By 

Cary B. Barad (Baltimore, MD) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Live-In Maid (DVD)

A charming and moving Argentinian Spanish-language film with subtitles. Contrasts the life and troubles of a once wealthy but vapid elitist with that of her loyal and long-suffering domestic worker as the country's economic system begins to corrode and affect each of them in similar--yet different ways. Very sad and uplifiting at the same time. Recommended not only as a work of theatrical art but also as a movie evocative of candid and realistic street scenes of the Argentinian capitol and countryside.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Spanish title: Cama adentro, September 1, 2008

By 

R. Parker (San Diego) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Live-In Maid (DVD)

This was a wonderful film. Two women. The live in maid and the woman she works for--together for more than 30 years until economic problems forces the maid to leave. But they have been together for 30 years and it's difficult to just go separate ways. They are tied by a strong bond. And, actions speak louder than words in this movie. Rent it and you won't be disappointed, it was wonderful. It has won 7 awards, including latin film festival and sundance.