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Maid in Manhattan

Maid in Manhattan

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Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Cute, but why would Wayne Wang lower himself to this?
Review: Jennifer Lopez is pretty engaging onscreen. Even when she's given the silliest of situations or the worst of scripts, I still see the fire in her eyes. That's the thing that keeps me coming to the theater.

The cheesy "makeover" scene and the scene where she walks into the ballroom decked out in the great dress, though complete cliches, are highlights.

In this, though, her luminous beauty and charisma can't hold up the film. First off, she has no chemistry with Ralph Fiennes, who looks downright uncomfortable both as an uppity American and as someone falling in love with Lopez. Her best scenes are with the child actor playing her son. There aren't nearly enough of those scenes.

The ending, as well, is a letdown. She loses the promotion, her job, her man for a couple months. Certainly, there's a turnaround in which she somewhat comes out on top, but the movie doesn't fully recover from its dramatic climax.

And those magazine covers in the film are terrible. No headlines or covers that appear in the film would ever make it past any of my old editors.

It's a romantic comedy, and it's run-of-the-mill.

That said, Wayne Wang directed SMOKE and THE JOY LUCK CLUB. Why is he doing this film when any cookie-cutter nonsense director, like Garry Marshall or some other schlub, could do it?

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Perfectly Harmless, By The Numbers
Review: 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

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Maid in Manhattan
Review: I loved Maid in Manhattan.
The story is told from the point of view,
of the working class, the person, that punches in
the timeclock, whose limo is the NYC subway,
raising a child, by herself in the Bronx,
her mom so beaten down, she doesn't believe
in herself, so cannot inspire her daughter.

Jennifer López was sensational.

Yes, it's a Fairy Tale, but so what.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: A feel-good film with great stars
Review: I give this film 4 stars for the star power, great chemistry of the two leads (so many romantic comedies really don't have leads with good chemistry), fine supporting players (especially Bob Hoskins and Stanley Tucci) and great direction from Wayne Wang.

I had my doubts as to whether J-lo could convince me that she was a working-class woman from the Bronx who had "lived all her life within 4 blocks" since, as we know, she got out and is living large. Well, she did just great! And Ralph Fiennes was the perfect romantic lead, and although it's tough for me to believe in a well-meaning, non-corrupt politician anymore I believed in him LOL!

J-lo is a single mom with a gifted child (Tyler Posey, a wonderful actor) who nevertheless has his challenges such as stagefright and freezing up when doing speeches. She works as a maid in a high-class Manhattan hotel where Ralph is staying for a press junket. In a rare moment of breaking the rules, she is seen by Ralph in a high-priced suite wearing designer clothes. They take a walk through the park and Ralph is smitten.

The movie clearly depicts without getting heavy-handed the contrast between those with money and those who serve them. There's even a sign that says a good maid "strives to be invisible" in the claustrophic corridor where they hold meetings before cleaning the rooms. J-lo is shoved into applying for a management position by a friend just when her romance is heating up, which jeapordizes her future with the hotel. The class distinctions add a layer of meaning to this film that is missing from most romantic comedies, giving it a little more depth and relevance than most.

Wayne Wang brings out the best in his actors, really lets them shine. The cinematography is fascinating - when they're out on the street, it's very gritty and realistic. when they're out on the town at a high-priced affair, it looks very clear and romantic.

My one complaint is with the script and the fact that J-lo and Ralph really don't have all that much interaction by the end of the movie. The dialogue isn't always that snappy or great but the star power is there in such force that even asking for a cup of coffee seems like a brilliant line. That's why I only give this movie 4 stars. It's a nice rental for cinematherapy - if you need to have a cosseted evening with a good romance, fine chocolates and a glass of wine this film will fit the bill just fine.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: this romance rocks with comedy
Review: This moivies cast list rocks because who can play a latin girl better than J'lo
anyway the moive is so funny and romantic no girl can not like This moive is perfect for any girl or woman.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Some good performances in a cute and sometimes funny movie
Review: This is an enjoyable light comedy that unfortunately underutilizes the potential of a good idea and fine performances by several of the actors. Jennifer Lopez is Marissa Ventura, a Puerto Rican single mother from the Bronx, who is a maid in the super-luxury Beresford hotel (played by the easily recognizable Waldorf Astoria). Christopher Marshall (Ralph Fiennes), a rich aspiring politician, meets her under circumstances such that he believes that she is a guest at the hotel. As you can surmise, complications quickly ensue as her attempts to conceal her real identity from him provide the opportunity for numerous episodes of comic relief. The supporting cast is also quite good; it includes Stanley Tucci as Jerry Siegel, Chris' stereotypical political advisor, Bob Hoskins as a wonderfully correct butler, and Natasha Richardson as Caroline Lane, the rich middleaged society broad who is attempting to snare Chris. However, Tyler Garcia Posey who plays Marissa's son Ty almost steals the show and is the glue that holds the story together as the link between Marissa and Chris.

Unfortunately, despite occasional attempts to interject serious topics into the film (primarily the subplot revolving around Marissa's determination to prove herself capable of entering the hotel's management ranks and also Chris' efforts to aid Marissa's attempts to develop Ty's self confidence), the movie is basically written and directed as a modern day fairy tale. Ty meets Chris and his dog by chance; Ty introduces Chris to his mom; Chris thinks Ty is neat and Marissa is beautiful; Jerry Siegel is apoplectic that Chris' affair will interfere with his political campaign; Marissa looks georgeous as Chris' date at the big charity affair; Chris learns the truth and Marissa is fired from her job; and then to the great surprise of everyone Ty is clever enough to get them to start all over again. There is never the slighest doubt about how it will turn out and all conflict and pain is minimized almost to the point of nonexistence. One other minor complaint is that in contrast with many romantic comedies the music on the soundtrack is surprisingly sparse and adds almost nothing to the movie.

So if you want to smile a lot and laugh occasionally, this is a thoroughly enjoyable light as air film. In a season of epics (THE TWO TOWERS), action movies (DIE ANOTHER DAY), thrillers (STAR TREK NEMESIS), incredibly serious subjects (GANGS OF NEW YORK), and comedies that rely on overt sexual innuendo (THE HOT CHICK) and incredibly foul language (ANALYZE THAT), this is just very bland, good clean fun. And the performances won't disappoint you. But if you have seen the ads and previews, you know the story and already have seen all of the funniest segments.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Artificially sweet and what an unoriginal storyline!
Review: 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.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: A romantic tragedy
Review: Someone told me that 'Maid in Manhattan' was a romantic comedy - at least that's what it is/was supposed to be. But pardon me, it is a tragedy (at the box-office, for sure!).

And this movie proves beyond all doubt that J.Lo cannot even enter the realm of acting. I pity Ralph Fiennes, for he is such a gifted actor, who was not used properly in this flick.

The story? A senatorial candidate falls for a hotel maid, thinking that she is affluent, and they realise later that though the Manhattan and Bronx come 'as the crow flies', they are worlds apart.

Watch this only if you are of the very romantic types. Again, if you are too bored with yourself, then try watching this. Otherwise, my good friend, you will do well not to.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Check Your Brain at the Door
Review: My mother-in-law wanted to see this movie because she heard it was "just as good as 'Pretty Woman.'" I'm not sure that is a recommendation but, nonetheless, my husband and I dutifully trekked off to the multiplex with her.

Our expectations were low, but we were pleasantly surprised. Yes, the movie is predictable. Many of the conflicts seemd manufactured and the misunderstandings central to the plot could have been cleared up easily, but then the movie would have been about 15 minutes long.

On the other hand, there were several funny lines, and Ralph Fiennes was charming and debonair in a part that didn't ask him to be much more than that. Stanley Tucci had some funny moments as the handler of Fiennes' character, a politician. Tyler Posey, as J. Lo's son, was precocious without being annoying.

In short, if you want to enjoy a couple of hours of escapist fare, you could do worse than "Maid in Manhattan." Just don't think too much or, like Cinderella's carriage at midnight, this movie turns into a pumpkin.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: J Lo can act!
Review: I loved the movie and even my husband enjoyed it. Was it predictable? Of course it was. Please tell me about a romantic comedy that isn't, but that is part of its charm. You want to root for the under dog and hope Prince Chraming comes through. And the comments about the invisibility of the working class were wonderful. I was very pleasantly surprised to see how warm J Lo came across, especially in scenes with her son. Ralph Fiennes gave a solid performance but was upstaged by Stanley Tucci in many scenes. I will see other movies that J Lo stars in based on this movie.


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