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Cinderella stories come in many forms but the most part people
come to see it as the poor getting together with the rich. Just
like Cinderella, there comes some form of deception. In “Maid in
Manhattan”, Director Wayne Wang has cast one of today’s beautiful
actresses, Jennifer Lopez. A maid’s uniform can’t even unglamourize
the beauty that’s within Lopez. As the focal point of the film,
Lopez shines with all involved in her scenes including her son Ty,
her co-workers, and even with Fiennes, who’s an adequate “Prince
Charming”. Maid in Manhattan is a delightful film that will remind
all that dreams can be played out, onscreen of course.
Marissa Ventura (Lopez) is a maid at a major hotel in New York
City. Her daily responsibilities include her job and her young son
Ty. She has a very good relationship with most of the employees
at the hotel. When there’s a position in the management department
available, she’s pressured by her co-workers to apply since they
feel she’s best one for the job. While cleaning the room of Caroline
Sinclaire (Richardson), a sophisticated guest, she reluctantly tries
on her Dolce & Gabanna outfit. Timing couldn’t be worse as the Christopher
Marshall (Fiennes), currently running for State Senator, walks in
the room with Ty and spots an embarrassed Marissa. Enchanted by
what he sees and assuming Marissa is Caroline, the politician asks
her out for a date. In order to avoid getting caught at her deception,
Marissa agrees to go out but on her terms, much to chagrin of Marshall’s
political manager Jerry Siegel (Tucci). It’s a race against time
as Marissa’s fairy tale of romance comes crashing down as her charade
starts to unravel.
What’s appealing about this film is Jennifer Lopez. This is the
millennium’s version of “Pretty Woman” meets “Working Girl.” Lopez’s
acting is par with the script. Much of personal background has been
talked about to death, but in this film, some of it turns out to
be comic relief, although it wasn’t the intentions of the producers.
The story is simple as the boy meets girl, boy loses girl, and boy
gets girl again genre never fails. Fiennes is okay as the suitor
although he’s bland in certain scenes. What’s interesting about
the script is that it gives such ample details about a hotel and
the employees in it, that it becomes somewhat educational. Not known
for her comedy skills, Richardson is charming as the Caroline the
guest. Shot around New York City and the Bronx, the films brings
in authenticity to Lopez’s background. Date films are looked upon
at times to be silly because we know what the outcome will be from
get-go, but when you have a beautiful actress and the scenario that
people crave for, it works. MAID IN MANHATTAN works because it’s
charming, and enjoyable.
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