Customer Reviews

Maid in Manhattan [VHS]

5 star:		(47)
4 star:		(40)
3 star:		(52)
2 star:		(31)
1 star:		(39)

 

 

I was writing another book review when this movie came on TV. When I saw Jennifer Lopez, I started watching and was hooked from the first scene with her little son. I just finished it and must say I truly enjoyed the time spent watching this "feel-good" movie. It was just what the doctor ordered after a two-day stint with the flu. This certainly went well with my recuperative fare of tea and toast. ... lol ...

In this movie, Lopez plays--you guessed it!--a maid who works in a top-flight hotel in Manhattan.

Maid in Manhattan is a breezy romantic comedy where a rich, handsome, aspiring politician, played by Ralph Fiennes, falls for the maid. Drawn initially by her beauty, he soon comes to know her as an independent, honest woman ... a struggling single mother who puts her ten-year-old son above all else. Tyler Posey does a fine acting job as her son.

Yes, this movie has "shades of Cinderella," like many romance novels and movies, but it has differences in every twist and turn that conspire to keep this unlikely couple apart. At first, because Lopez is dressed in a guest's clothing, Fiennes thinks she is a socialite herself; complications caused by that error lead to many hilarious situations, yet even more heart-wrenching ones.

The sentimentality and romantic warmth of the movie are due to good performances by Lopez and Fiennes, but the supporting actors bring this movie to life. You will be amused by Natasha Richardson and Amy Sedaris in the roles of callow socialites, Bob Hoskins as a dignified butler, and you'll love to hate Stanley Tucci as Fiennes's aggravating campaign manager.

So how does the politician react when he learns his love interest is a maid? How does she take it? You guessed that they eventually get back together--don't they in all Cinderella stories?--but what happens before that transpires? And how does the maid's son react to all this? Does he even like Fiennes's character?

I promise you lots of laughs as you watch this movie and learn the answers to those questions and more. For your enhanced viewing pleasure, I suggest you see Maid in Manhattan with your best girl ... or guy.

Reviewed by: Betty Dravis, 2008
Author of: 1106 Grand Boulevard
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"Maid in Manhattan" is the latest in what I presume will be a very long line of frothy J.Lo vehicles. Is it a great movie? Nope. Is it a good movie? Eh, kinda. Actuallty, it's pretty much a decent Saturday night date movie: no more, no less.

The plot concerns the romantic entanglements of a maid (Lopez) working in an upscale New York hotel. She dreams of someday becoming a manager, which evidently no maid has ever done (that's America!). One day while cleaning out a suite, she is persuaded by a friend to try on the designer clothes of a wealthy guest. While wearing them she is spotted by a famous politician, also staying at the hotel. He assumes she's rich, she doesn't correct him, and we're off on the old "mistaken identity" plotline.

I would say the screenplay for this movie is just slightly above average, with the characters slightly more fleshed out than we've come to expect from the Hollywood romances of today. The role of Lopez' gifted son in particular is both unusually well written and well played.

The one true bright spot here is Ralph "Call me Rafe" Fiennes, playing the politician. He is just great in anything. This is a different kind of role for him: no tortured souls, no misery, just lightweight romance. He pulls it off very nicely.

All in all, I would give this movie about a B- or a B ( I incline towards a straight B when remembering Fiennes). I didn't exactly laugh, but I did smile. (Which is more than I can say for "The Wedding Planner".)

No, not the movie, silly. It's what Ralph Fiennes' aspiring politician thinks of Ms. Lopez' derriere. There are many such flatteries paid to the star actress in *Maid in Manhattan* -- in fact, that's not even the only reference to J-Lo's celebrated backside. (Considering that it's insured by Lloyd's of London, direct recognition of that part of her anatomy might be stipulated in her film-contracts.) There's been a lot of speculation about how this movie will do financially: will J-Lo be the next Julia Roberts? Will it make as much money as *Pretty Woman* did? Et cetera. Not surprisingly, there's been much less speculation about whether or not the movie is worth seeing. That's because no one, except for Ms. Lopez and her coterie of agents and assistants, cares. Who really wants to see another modern-day Cinderella? *Maid in Manhattan* brings nothing new to the table. Attempts to be "different" (we're told Lopez' son is "gifted", despite the lack of solid evidence; the leading man is a Republican instead of a Democrat) come across as exactly that, and are time-consuming distractions more often than not. And even if you're prepared to dispense with originality, the movie still fails to charm. Lopez' character, a single-mom maid working in a 4-star New York hotel, MUST have a large group of fans (there is no other word) cheering her on, from the management to the security guards to her (naturally) less-attractive fellow housekeepers. One of these even writes up a job application for Lopez, the idea being that if Lopez advances to management at the hotel, it will strike an empowering blow for the new generation of struggling Latinas everywhere. Of course, the movie never considers that this character would want to try out for the promotion herself -- only Lopez must be allowed credit for changing the world. Then there's the scene where all her co-workers drop what they're doing in order to drape J-Lo with borrowed diamonds and designer clothes, just so that she can have a hot date with Prince Charming. Why? Because everyone loves her! (The original Cinderella, not as perfect, was obliged to ask for supernatural aid.) The flattery paid to this overpaid actress eventually sickens the viewer. Ralph Fiennes' milquetoast romantic lead, who spends much of the movie trying to tug himself away from Stanley Tucci -- rather like a mailman dragging along a small, yapping dog that's clamped its jaws onto a trouser leg -- doesn't provide an analgesic for your discomfort.

J'Lo's latest offering, the romantic comedy "Maid In Manhattan," is yet another addition to the long-standing "chick" romantic comedy genre. Overall, it's perfectly harmless if not exactly original. In all, it's a nice flick to check-out on a Friday night if nothing else good is on.

THE STORY:

Marissa Ventura (J'Lo) is a single-mother who works as a maid in one of Manhattan's top hotels. A hard working, intelligent woman she is up for promotion and is a sure lock in to "represent" all the working class women of the travel industry when she makes a pretty big faux pas at the behest of a co-worker, she tries on the posh outfit of a socialite guest and is happened upon by a Senatorial candidate staying at the hotel, Chris Marshall (Ralph Fiennes). From there the by-the-numbers storybook romance takes place.

THE ANALYSIS:

Overall, this is a perfectly harmless and sweet love story cookie cut from the same mold like all others in the genre. There are a handful of touching scenes with the couple and Marissa's son Tyler (Tyler Posey) provides a lot of the best scenes in the film. The interaction between the main characters and between Marissa and her co-workers, particularly the butler and security guard, are superb. In all, this is a nice picture to see.

THE VERDICT:

Overall, this probably won't qualify as a "must-see" but it definitely ranks as a "good viewing choice." Overall, this flick will probably work best for, young couples on a date, younger crowds on an outing or of course, J'Lo fans. In all, you probably won't be (too) disappointed if you see it but then again if you choose to pass on it, you won't exactly really miss much either.

Recommended

Somewhere about a year ago, a studio exec. and an agent decided to make a deal. Christmas was coming and it was time to expel an uninspired formula retread from the womb of mediocrity to satfisfy the lowest common denominator of cinema goers.

The result is Maid In Manhattan.

All the standard, tired plot elements, set pieces, and cliche scenes are present. It has the smart alec kid who's wisdom surpasses the years of the adults around him, the pushy sidekick maid, the hooker (maid) with a heart of gold, the non-conformist prince charming; the obligitory makeover scene where the heroine is trying on different evening gowns, getting her make-up and hair done, and being loaned expensive jewelry all set up as a montage playing to a contemporary pop song a-la Pretty Woman, Heavenly Kid, Princess Diaries, and Doris Day, etc. etc.

It's a shame that dumbing down a story can have such rewarding results.

Hugh Grant co-stars in this feel good romantic comedy with....err, sorry wrong movie. Perhaps that's the point. Maid in Manhattan is a fine feel good romantic comedy from director Wayne Wang. It's pretty much a variation on a theme without much originality. The plot isn't bad nor are the performances it's just a bit too familiar. Still, it is an enjoyable light feature even without Sandra Bullock and Hugh Grant.

Ralph Fiennes is unexpectately warm and a pleasant surprise in this romantic comedy. The film is about as predictable as its twin Two Weeks Notice and still enjoyable despite the apparent connect the dots plot. There are a number of nice comedic touches and Wang continues to demonstrate both talent and a rare comedic flair as a director. It's a pity that the material wasn't better.

Maid in Manhattan is a nice, enjoyable romantic romp and a perfect way to spend a Friday evening in front of the T.V. It's a pity that Wang and the other performers weren't a bit more ambitious.

Primarily, I detected no chemistry between the main characters and just couldn't believe that any depth of feeling developed from their brief and uncomfortable meeting in the park. Certainly not enough to spiral into the farce that followed. Her nobility of purpose in first, not telling him the truth and second, running away from him, was so unlikely and insincere that it set my teeth on edge. The Cinderella storyline allowed the viewer to predict the ending, eliminating even the small pleasure of mystery and doubt. The child's personality and thought pattern was written as though he were a mature, asexual adult with cute playful child-like attributes to remind us that we were watching a child. The male lead was occasionally convincing with his piercing stare and undivided attention but absolutely unconvincing as the offended and decieved lover. I walked out of the theatre bored and undiverted by this film. Don't waste your money - wait for it to hit cable.

This movie was so trite it was almost sickening. How many scenes can we be expected to watch that have obviously been engineered to showcase Jennifer Lopez's looks? She is not so beautiful that I want to look at her in every outfit from every angle the entire movie!
I was so disappointed in the performance by Fienes (sp?). He is such a phenomenal actor - one has to wonder why in the world he would take such a soppy role and especially with such a cliched, stale script/storyline! UGH.

Maybe he wanted a new house a little out of his price range. Maybe he was won over by the opportunity of co-starring with shapely J-Lo. Maybe it was a mid-life crisis. But in my opinion, I think it had to have been blackmail of the darkest kind for Ralph Fiennes to agree to do such a film. Judging from the pained expression on his face during the entire film, one can easily see he is not there of his own free will.

JLo, on the other hand, happily struts through the film, basking in the adoration of all the characters surrounding her. This is not suprising. If JLo wants to prove to us she can act, she's going to have to step out of her little "comfort-zone" characters. You know the ones I'm talking about - rags to riches, tuff girl with a heart of gold, highschool grad woman who is truly Yale-worthy brilliant, always smarter than her leading man... etcetcetc. She is so self-aware when she acts I'm constantly waiting for her to turn to the camera and say, "Did you think that take was cute?" or "Can I get some more compliments in this dialogue please?" She's a beautiful woman and occasionally a good singer and actress... I don't hate her, I just don't see anything about her other than her looks that makes me go "wow".

Ralph Fiennes, on the other hand... he's an amazing AMAZING actor, as he proved so astoundingly in Schindlers List. I'll limit myself on this topic simply to "Why?Why?Why, Ralph, why?"

It wasn't merely that the premise of the story has been overused - I like a good Cinderella story. Key word: a GOOD Cinderella story. What makes the old motif work? Hmmm... well, so I hear, it usually works when the main lovers can make you think that they are at least moderately - and for a somewhat valid reason - attracted to each other. Hmmm... also I think that, at minimum, at least one character should be developed beyond name and face. But what do I know?

While I'm at it, why don't I address the whole pity-the-minority motif. Its a delicate subject and just as much as latinos and african americans don't want us to stereo-type them, we'd rather not be stereo-typed as the rich, blonde egotists who sneer down upon maids and minorities while making fools of ourselves around everyone else. Its an issue, yes. It needs to be addressed, yes. But I thought we wanted to EQUAL the scales, not tip them the other way!

Lets see, other points of annoyance...

* a kid sugery sweet enough to play sidekick to Shirley Temple

* several obnoxious coworkers meant to be comic relief(granted, they DID relieve the movie of all comedy)

* pointless and forced reference to JLo's caboose(ummm, I don't know about you but I think I'd realize if there was a FULL SIZE magazine stuck to my butt)

* our leading mann, a politician, is completely uniterested in politics

* JLo's mother, JLo's boss, Desk Worker lady, TV watcher guy, fabric lady, valet guy, etc etc(just read the credits for full list of crappy actors)

Yeppers. This movie is probably on the Top Ten Worst I've ever seen. Unoriginal, unenchanting, unforgivable... something any actress/director/street bum could do in their sleep.

it would look something like this:
- take your usual romantic comedy formula (if it worked before, why change anything, right?)
- add an actor who is completely out of his usual genre, to add a taste of 'quality' to the film.
- add an actress who can't act, but has an impressive behind (which can be used in jokes).
- try to blend in some social issue - again, to add 'quality' - like issueto the movie.
The result: 'Maid in Manhattean' - a boring, perdictable movie.