Rating: 
Summary: Another Great 80's Flick
Review: I have loved this movie since i was a little girl. It is just a wonderful movie about a spoiled rich girl who loses it all and has to earn it all back. Great story!!!
Rating:
Summary: What's the name of That Song ?
Review: I loved this show. It was lighthearted, corny at times, but fun to watch. I rented it, and liked it enough to buy it. The music was especially pretty, but I , for the life of me, can NOT find "I Can Still Shine" anywhere ! If there is anyone out there who can help, please do ! I would be SO appreciative.
Rating:
Summary: another gem buried by mis-advertising
Review: 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.
Rating: 
Summary: Taking The Road Less Traveled
Review: 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.
Rating: 
Summary: Wretched transfer!
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Better than the plot synopsis would suggest
Review: The plot is simple (if whimsical): a fairy godmother intervenes with a well-to-do dad (Tom Skerritt) wishes away his spoiled, ungrateful daughter, Jessie Montgomery (Ally Sheedy). Jessie is transformed from a rich daughter to a poor young lady, with no way to support herself.
She does find employment at the slightly-off-center Starkey household (a play off of Richard Starkey's name?). The snotty young lady undergoes humiliation after humiliation (the exploding vacuum cleaner is a classic) before changing to an unselfish woman who can appreciate the hired help, and the contribution they make to her (and others) lives. She only keeps her job because she's white, and she's hired because of 'reverse affirmative action'!
The plot is pretty predictable, but there are many sly observations on Hollywood, the music business, and the conceit (and deceit) that goes on behind the scenes (in a humorous way, of course).
The acting is competent. Sheedy, of course, is on-screen the most, and she does a good job as both the snooty rich girl, and the servant girl who slowly learns some of the real things about life 'downstairs'.
I certainly appreciated the acting of Dick Shawn (Stan Starkey) and Valerie Perrine (Georgette Starkey). They are a well-meaning couple who have made it big in the music business, and to their credit want to give something back to the 'unfortunates' of the world. ("There are children starving in China!") This brings Jessie back in contact with her erstwhile dad, when he visits to pitch the 'Starlight Foundation' to the Starkeys. Since Jessie has been 'written out' of her old life, her father doesn't recognize her.
Eventually, after Jessie discovers that the 'hired help' are as valuable as those with money, and may even have hidden (or forgotten) talents. All ends well, with a chastened Jessie back with her father, her wealthy lifestyle intact. But now, she can appreciate her fortunate station in life.
Recommended.
Rating:
Summary: A great "pick me up."
Review: This is a great movie to see some old fashioned values and charm. See a high class girl learn what life is really about and fall in love at the same time. A great movie for a rainy day or anytime your spirit needs a lift.
Rating:
Summary: This is *the* 80's movie!!!!
Review: 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!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Learning Experience with a twist of Laughter
Review: This movie was absolutely great, as a kid growing up. A little rich brat wakes up one day and suddenly has to work for everything she wants. It's great for kids of all ages and a wonderful plot. I recommend this movie to everyone who wants a laugh.
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