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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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 Bor 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".)
Buy Maid in Manhattan (2002) Now
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
Read Best Reviews of Maid in Manhattan (2002) Here
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.
Want Maid in Manhattan (2002) Discount?
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.
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