Customer Reviews

Maid to Order

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

It took 18 years before luck brought me to this movie. The title and the cover art suggest a silly TV-style slapstick mixed bag. The movie is nothing of the sort. It has funny moments, but basicly it is a heartfelt story of growing up and what it means to grow up, of forming caring relationships with friends, lovers and relatives. The mechanism used is to force a privileged person to experience what it is like to live as the "other half" lives. The pacing is perfect, there is not a false step anywhere, and there could have been so many. And it is supported by some of the best music of Georges Delerue. See if with your kids if you have any, but see it for yourself. It will make your day, or your week.

If you want to see this movie for the acting or because you're a fan of this person or that, fine. I didn't know any of these actors, nor did I care. The play's the thing, and this one is great. And by the way, the picture quality on my DVD was fine.

Another footnote: There's nothing wrong with slapstick per se. There's good slapstick and bad, but there isn't any slapstick in this movie. If that's what you're looking for, look elsewhere. Don't attack this movie because it isn't a different type of movie. And don't insult other people because they point out that this isn't that type of movie.

"Maid to Order" is a rarity in Hollywood; a low-budget film based on a classic story that ends up being funny, clever and heart-warming. Admittedly there are moments when Ally Sheedy's poor little rich girl act is a bit over-the-top, but when she is being other than a stereotype she is believable and sympathetic.

Jessie Montgomery (Sheedy) is the daughter of a wealthy Charles Montgomery (Tom Skerritt). Tom's role in this movie is relatively small, and nearly unimportant as he mainly tries (and fails) to figure out how to deal with his relatively uncontrollable daughter and is later studiously aloof when fairy godmother Stella Winston (Beverly D'Angelo) changes things as though Jessie had never been born. Tom is important from the plot of the movie, however, as Stella was actually sent to help Charles Montgomery, at least, so Stella says.

Jessie comes home one morning after a late night party to discover that her father and the household staff do not know her. Jessie escapes the house, looking ever more bedraggled. She tries to buy candy from a machine, only to have her money taken. Finally, she decides to look for (gasp!) a job. She happens to walk into an employment agency just as a status-seeking couple Stan and Georgette Starkey (Dick Shawn and Valerie Perrine) are seeking a white maid (who would have guessed that one?).

Things have hit a low for Jessie as the Starkeys and their own spoiled daughter Brie Starkey (Rainbow Phoenix) turn out to be a pain for the hired help, micromanaging, money-grubbing, and more about image than substance. The obvious irony being that Jessie now gets to see what life is like on the working class side of the fence, albeit a stereotypical view.

However, the importance of Jessie's new position is how she sees the cook, the other maid and the chauffeur. As a spoiled rich girl she barely recognized that anyone other than her social peers were even human, and now she gets to see that each person has their own history, their own problems, their own hopes and their own dreams, and theirs are far more substantial than whether they will have to miss out on the debutante party of the year. Even more amazing, regardless of how much of a jerk Jessie initially is, these people actually give her more of a chance than she would have given them; this movie abounds with irony.

As is typically the case in movies, it is always darkest before the dawn, and people who truly deserve chances get them, and those who need a kick in the pants get their just deserts, or at least a flavor of them. The true magic of the film, beyond that of Stella Winston, is how Jessie evolves to learn how to think of others, which I leave to the viewer to discover for themselves.

There is a lot of predictability in this movie, and you could probably have guessed some of the ending, but I was unable to guess more than generalities, and that is a good thing. Further, the movie was sweet enough and funny enough to be worth buying and watching over again. Some of the charm may be from the supporting roles. Beverly D'Angelo is funny and clever as the fairy godmother. Merry Clayton does an excellent job as Audrey James, once a famous singer and now the cook. The other numerous roles give this movie a depth and character that I was not expecting from this relatively unknown comedy.

This movie's humor is from the irony of Jessie's situation, and most of the comedy works. The humor is often subtle, and some may not see the humor, but for everyone else, this movie is a keeper.

This is one of the greatest movies ever made in the 80's. It is so funny. Ally Sheedy is great as the spoiled Jessie Montgomery who goes from riches to rags and Beverly D'Angelo is excellant as fairy godmother Stella whom Jessie calls a 'major whacko!' (It's so 80's!) The best part would have to be when Merry Clayton (who plays the maid Audrey) belts out a 'lovely little ballad' called 'I can Still Shine!' That song is so good but I can't find it anywhere. Valerie Perrine and Dick Shawn are also good as Jessie's employers Mr. and Mrs. Starkey (Mrs. Starkey kind of reminds me of my yearbook advisor) but that's ok! Great movie! A must-see!

People who generally turn up their noses at slapstick and/or cartoonish comedy because it's beneath them are missing a lot of amusing entertainments in life. I saw "Maid to Order" first in the theater(where it came and went)and then on cable, where it finally found an audience. By now, everybody's seen at least part of it, and it's a highly enjoyable confection. Ally Sheedy is both too refined and too mature to be completely convincing as a spoiled brat living with her philanthropist dad, but she improves(as does the picture)and wins our affections. Supporting cast is even better, with Michael Ontkean a nicely low-keyed Prince Charming(he doesn't push his handsomeness and is very natural in an aw-shucks kind of way), Merry Clayton as a cook who used to be a singer(she's get down with Great White!), and Beverly D'Angelo as a wiseacre fairy godmother. What?! Fairy Godmothers in the 1980's? Yes, and it works surprisingly well. Some of the editing is sloppy, and some of Sheedy's outburts are shrill, but the film is an embraceable one and should charm even the cynics.

In this movie Ally Sheedy plays Jessie, a rich Beverly Hills kid. Then she gets busted for cocaine possesion but she is rescued by her Fairy Godmother played by Beverly D'Angelo. The only downside of this is Jessie is now poor and unemployed so she is forced to GET A JOB (Aaaargh!!!) as a maid for a couple of Bevely Hill Yuppies. This movie is very funny at times although I had to wonder how on Earth Jessie manages to do an honest day's work in domestic service while wearing 4 inch high heels?

I bought this movie solely because I'm a big fan of Ally Sheedy. But that is not necessary in order to enjoy this picture. It has all the essential ingredients for a good movie: a well-developed storyline, well established characters, scenes that will make you laugh and cry, and very capable acting to boot. Maid to Order actually has much in common with Arthur 2: On the Rocks. (see my review) Fans of that movie certainly should enjoy this one as well. Maid to Order, like Arthur 2, is essentially about a character, played in this case by Ally Sheedy, who goes from riches to rags to riches. Jessie (Ally) is just a young woman with too much of her father's money to spend and too much time to do it with. She simply needs to grow up. A fairy godmother (Beverly D'Angelo) grants her father's (Tom Skerritt) wish when he regrets even having a daughter. She's left homeless and without a past. She is forced to take a job as a maid, working for a flamboyant couple (Dick Shawn and Valerie Perrine) whom her father knows. The going is rough in the beginning, but she soon learns how to become friends with the rest of the hired help. This movie essentially belongs to Ally Sheedy (rarely is she not in a scene), but the supporting cast all have their shining moments as well. One of the classical lines comes from Stan (Dick Shawn) who tells Georgette (Valerie Perrine), "I don't deserve to touch your toenails. Although it was the highlight of my breakfast." All turns out happily for everyone in this movie. And Jessie is finally recognised by her father, who welcomes her back with open arms. Some movies can't be judged by box office receipts, and this is one of them.

"Maid to Order" is about a rich, spoiled 25 year old heiress named Jesse Montgomery. Jesse has never wanted for anything. Her dad is well-to-do and is a philanthropist for an organization, which grants wishes to dying children.

The show is comedic at its best! It shouws that no matter how rich you are, even rich kids, or in this case, young rich adults, have their fair share of problems, too and Jesse Montgomery learns this the hardway!

Her father decides that he wants his daughter to grow up, make something out of herself (i.e., get a career) and stop living off his money and her own way.

What happens is Mr. Montgomery's wish is granted by a fairy godmother!

In just a few seconds, *poof* Jesse becomes poor, little rich girl driving a red, Mercedes SL convertible, to being literally dirt poor.

She learns her lesson though the hard way--that sometimes "a job worth doing is a job worth doing right."

Eventually, she realizes that maybe being rich and spoiled isn't what it's all cracked up to be and learns that materialism doesn't make you happy, but it's how you treat others and your generosity towards others that truly makes you happy!

A clever film suitable for ages 18 and above due to certain adult themes portrayed in the film.

I give it 2 thumbs up.

Rent or buy it, you'll be glad you did!

Maid To Order is one of those small budget movies that proves that it is worth its weight despite its simplicity.

The movie stars Ally Sheedy (Breakfast Club, St. Elmo's Fire) and was filmed during the 80s. Ally plays a spoiled rich brat named Jesse.

She could careless about her life and those around her. She spends her father's money without care. Her dad doesn't control her because he just wants to make up for her mother's death.

Tom Skerritt(Alien, Contact) plays dad to Ally Sheedy, and he starts to learn that his daughter has no conscience.

He becomes so fed up with her disrespectful behavior that he wishes that he never had a daughter. His wish is granted by a fairy godmother named Stella played by the one and only Beverly D'Angelo (National Lampoon's Vacation).

Jesse doesn't take the situation seriously but learns quick when her father doesn't recognize or acknowledge her. Jesse is forced to take care of herself. Jesse pleads for Stella to fix the situation but Stella knows that Jesse is completely insincere.

Stella tells Jesse that if she wants her old life back, she needs to make some improvements. Jesse asks how and Stella bluntly tells her to get a job.

What does a kid that has never had to work a day in her life do with herself? She becomes a maid. Ironically, she becomes the maid of a rich Beverly Hills couple.

Of course, you know that this movie serves the purpose to teach you a lesson, which is about taking responsibility for your actions and your life.

However, I won't say anymore and let you discover things for yourself.

Watch this movie! It is funny, sweet, and charmy. It's a feel good movie.

The only reason I give this movie 4 stars is for the lackluster transfer of the movie to DVD.

However, I am just amazed they decided to release this film gem on DVD. Thanks to Artisan for releasing this wonderful 80s movie.

Maid to Order, while an entertaining film (definitely not great, but good enough to entertain), suffers drastically from a terrible transfer. Call it "Lionsgate Syndrome." The studio dredges out this film from their vast resevoir, a film in slight demand from a sentimental audience (I do love the 80's), and just-well, transfers it. No clean-up whatsoever. The original film stock in all of its grainy, fuzzy-looking glory are presented here, available for public purchase for the first time on DVD (as of 2002).

The fact that it's available on DVD is obviously not to amass consumer respect, but rather to make a speedy dollar; there are no extras (not even a film trailer!), no actor biographies, no movie stills, none of the cheap-o extras one expects from a cheap DVD-just the badly transferred movie. Allow me to reiterate this: all you get is a badly transferred movie. It's VHS quality on DVD. Scrap it.

Great movie, one that we have watched many times. The quality of DVD recording is poor at best. My old VHS has a better picture. It's a 5-Star movie on a 1-Star DVD.