Too much of everything

So much average

Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

Maid In Manhatten is a charmer of a romantic comedy, made successful by its excellent cast. In lesser hands, actor-wise, this could have been a dud, but it's got such a talented troupe populating it that it comes out a winner on all fronts. Jennifer Lopez and Ralph Fiennes play the two lucky lovers, and as soon as one sees those two names attached to a title, one knows that we're in for something nice. Throw in Bob Hoskins, Stanley Tucci and the late Natasha Richardson and you've got yourself a stable full of actors who could be saddled with the worst script written and still be compelling. Thankfully they are given a wonderful little script here, and all own it. Lopez plays a maid at a swanky NYC hotel, and Fiennes is the carefree politician who drops in for a campaign stay. The two hit it off in a rumpus of accidentally mistaken identity, blossoming love from both sides of the tracks and the kind of slight, laid back charm that makes these flicks what they are. Lopez is a fierce and feminine presence in any film and I've always thought she should have focused primarily on acting, she's terrific at it. Fiennes is.. well he's superb in anything and the chemistry between the two isn't a pairing you'd expect, but works pretty well. Stanley Tucci could play a tree and still steal every moment, and is pure magic as Fiennes's harried assistant. Bob Hoskins is usually a pissy tornado, but seems incredibly reserved here, as the hotel's head butler who has a lesson of nobility and humility to teach Lopez. Natasha Richardson is the ditzy British blonde and plays it in pure 1960's mode, delightful and a reminder of the pure anguish that is still felt upon losing her presence in film. The film has just enough fluff and romance, and just enough solidly grounded writing to hold you through til the end, whilst Lopez and Fiennes, an unlikely pair, keep it real.

This is a John Hughes' misstep. Marisa Ventura (Jennifer Lopez) is a hotel maid. She tries on a guest's clothes, and just that moment she's interrupted by Christopher Marshall (Ralph Fiennes). He's from a political dynasty running for office and he mistakes her for a guest. What comes after is a class identity switch.The whole concept just seems dated. Did John Hughes copy it from a 50's movie? The first problem I had was why Jennifer Lopez wouldn't try to better herself? At first I thought it was something interesting like trouble with the INS. But no it's mommy issues. The problem is that Lopez is completely miscast. No one would believe that she would be so meek. Her persona doesn't fit at all.I am willing to buy into the fairy tale being pushed here. I am even willing to buy that she couldn't tell him the truth. She's a maid after all. They're untouchables..... Duh!!! But if Ralph Fiennes plays the Prince Charming, he's got to be much more heroic. He needs to go in there like 'An Officer and A Gentleman'. He can't be dragged there by a little kid. Where's the chivalry? When it was revealed, he starts berating her about lying. There are so many things that are off in this movie.

I am no fan of "Chick Flicks", and as a straight guy into action films, this movie was not exactly targeted at me. However, I decided to review this film, because they decided to remake it as a Mexican Telenovales, and my question is why?(Unless they think a cast of unknowns would work better than JLO & Finnes better (It might actually happen although 20 hours of this film would sicken me)). This movie is lame at best, and there is no drama, humor, suspense, and worse, no chemistry with JLO and Finnes (He even has more in common with the kid). It is basically a fairy tale along the lines of "Ever After" (Which is a better film, because there is some action (Drew Barrymore with a sword), and shockingly Barrymore is hotter in that film than Lopez is here which with the notable exception of "Bad Girls" is not true). Is this the worst film of its type? No it isn't "the Sweetest Thing" is, but it is still a 1 star film.

Here is a movie that had to happen - a modern day "Cinderella" story starring Jennifer Lopez (as Marisa Ventura). How much you like "Maid in Manhattan" will depend on your "like Lopez" level. The variations aren't very clever, and many of the comedy's jokes are stale. Check out, for example, how the giggling maids insist that catching the hotel exhibitionist naked is no big deal. Get it? No BIG deal! Bwhahahahahahaha!! Traditionalists may want to note that Ms. Lopez' evening with "Prince Charming" Ralph Fiennes (as Christopher Marshall), a Republican playboy, ends at dawn instead of midnight. Hmmm. Times change. Divorcée Lopez also has a cute 10-year-old son, Tyler Posey (as Ty), who plays a nice role in the romance. Nasty Natasha Richardson (as Caroline Lane), a "Wicked Stepsister"-type, heads up an appealing supporting cast.**** Maid in Manhattan (12/13/02) Wayne Wang ~ Jennifer Lopez, Ralph Fiennes, Tyler Posey, Natasha Richardson