Maid in Manhattan on DVD
Jennifer Lopez and Ralph Fiennes star in this romantic comedy that
breaks the stereotypical Hollywood mold.
Okay, the story doesnt really break the mold, but we were
surprised and impressed that Fiennes character, politician Christopher
Marshall, is a compassionate human being with dignity, standards of conduct and
strength of character - and hes plainly labeled as a Republican!
This is unusual: Hollywood usually portrays Republicans as being
the Antichrist, with only Democrats being capable of human decency.
The truth, of course, is very different and its nice to see
a compassionate conservative portrayed in a more accurate and
positive light.
Anyway, Fiennes Marshall is mulling over a run for the US
Senate, a position that seems to run in the family, so bad publicity is the
last thing he needs. But he has enough strength of character not to take the
always-looking-for-dirt media particularly seriously, and this puts him in good
stead later in the movie.
Lopez is Marisa Ventura, a single mom and hotel maid who has her
sights set on management . And shes up for such a position when her path
crosses Marshall s and both of their lives are changed.
They meet while Marisa, at the urging of a friend, is trying on
an outfit that belongs to a flaky guest (Natasha Richardson), causing Marshall
to think that shes actually that hotel guest and not a "lowly maid."
Marisa doesnt do anything to dispel the mistaken identity as she,
Marshall and her son (Tyler Posey) really hit it off and have a grand time.
Well, doesnt that mistaken identity lead to problems!
Marshall invites the real flake, Richardson, to a private lunch in his suite,
and when she (whos desperately trying to woo him anyway) shows up instead
of Lopez, hes thrown for a loop. Further complicating matters is the fact
that Lopez is actually there anyway, assisting the butler (Bob Hoskins) in
serving the lunch. Shes doing her best not to be noticed and, with
Hoskins' help, manages to pull it off.
Not surprisingly, Marisa is unmasked and all hell breaks loose
but, not surprisingly, all ends on a happy note when we find that Marshall
really is a class act and doesnt really care that shes a maid - he
loves her anyway.
A lightweight concept, but engagingly made and with very good
performances all around. We dont understand why Lopez is dumped on so
much because in the movies of hers that weve seen shes just fine.
Fiennes is also very good as the Republican politician - but the scenes are
stolen by Richardson when shes on camera, and Tyler Posey, as Lopez
precocious son, also deserves mention for his performance.
The DVD is very good. Columbia Tristar has wisely released the
movie in both anamorphic widescreen (16x9 TV compatible) and Pan&Scan on
the same disc so consumers arent forced to choose between the two. We
watched the widescreen version and found the picture quality to be very good,
with a nice and sharp image and good color.
Audio is Dolby Digital 5.1 and its also very good, though
the surround is unremarkable.
Extras include trailers, previews, and Internet links.
Maid in Manhattan , from Columbia Tristar Home Video
105 min. anamorphic widescreen (2.35:1), 16x9 TV compatible/ Pan&Scan
(on the same disc), Dolby Digital 5.1 surround
Starring Jennifer Lopez, Ralph Fiennes, Natasha Richardson, Stanley Tucci
and Bob Hoskins
Produced by Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas, Deborah Schindler, Paul Schif
Written by Kevin Wade,
Directed by Wayne Wang.
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