Maid in Manhattan (2002)

Admittedly, there are worse romantic comedies than 'Maid in Manhattan' and there are worse Jennifer Lopez films and performances. Saw 'Maid in Manhattan' because the cast are so talented, but it more often than not was very disappointing.'Maid in Manhattan' does have some beautiful scenery and it is very nicely shot. It is also a case where the supporting cast are better than the leads, though all the characters are uninteresting genre archetypes. Particularly good is the adorable and very likable Tyler Garcia Posey, while Natasha Richardson is amusing and Bob Hoskins (with a speech that is the one script highlight of the film) makes much of a role that could have easily have wasted him completely, it's beneath him but as said he does much with what he has.Unfortunately neither Jennifer Lopez or Ralph Fiennes are convincing. Lopez handles the cutesy moments well, but often looks stiff, does not convince as a maid and possesses leaden comic timing and the emotion parts feel forced. Fiennes is also stiff and charmless, he is a brilliant actor but honestly looks like he wants to be somewhere else. Chemistry is severely lacking between them, almost like they disliked each other. Then there is Stanley Tucci, who chews the scenery to pieces in a very irritating fashion.The film's soundtrack is ham-fisted and heavy-handed and the direction is bland. Like 'The Wedding Planner', if not quite as bad, 'Maid in Manhattan is lacking in both comedy and romance. For romantic comedies to work, the comedy should sparkle and the romantic elements should touch. Sadly, the comedy is chock full of clunky and witless dialogue, while even for a story loosely based on the oft-adapted 'Cinderella' story the story is predictable and contrived with improbable comic mishaps and over-sugary schmaltz that it's nauseating, with no genuine emotional impact or wit.On the whole, has nice production values and a few good supporting turns but badly let down by unconvincing leads and poor execution of the comedic and romantic elements. 4/10 Bethany Cox

I decided to see this film because I like Jennifer Lopez as an actress and as a singer too. I saw already 4 films where she's playing and this one is arguably her best. Ralph Fiennes also plays his role very good. We have another Cinderella story, but this time it's a bit unique, it has heart and soul and it has very touching happy end! Maid in Manhattan may also be interesting for those ladies who are divorced and have children like the main character. In real life it could hardly happen, but a film is not always supposed to be very real sometimes it's better to entertain and give positive emotions and this movie does it very well.

This is a pleasant movie about single mother Marisa Ventura (Jennifer Lopez), who works as a maid in a first-class Manhattan hotel, and meets senate candidate Christopher Marshall (Ralph Fiennes), who believes that she is a socialite at the hotel. When Marisa's true identity is revealed, the two find that they are worlds apart, but their hearts falling close to each other.Jennifer Lopez, being better known as a pop singer, actually wasn't shabby in her role. Ralph Fiennes served up his role pretty well, also, and I thought the two had some great on-screen chemistry together. The story was pretty inspiring, tastefully done plot-wise, and contained a lot of feel-good elements and positive notes.It's not the best romantic comedy I've seen, as some of the acting does fall short and much of the movie has a fantasy vs. reality feel to it. However, it is still a delightful film that is recommended over those trendy, annoyingly-bubbly chick flicks.Grade B-

I remembered the title because I knew the leading actress and later the leading actor in it; I was interested to see the meaning of the title spelling, and to watch it to see why it was rated two stars out of five by the critics. Basically, in the heart of Manhattan, Marisa Ventura (Jennifer Lopez) is a single mother born and bred in the Bronx of New York City, who cares for her son Ty (Tyler Posey) and works in a first class hotel as a maid. One day while working, and taking an expensive coat for rich guest Caroline Lane (Natasha Richardson) from England, Marisa tries on this coat and she meets senatorial candidate Christopher Marshall (Ralph Fiennes), also staying in the hotel. He assumes that she is Caroline Lane and is a rich socialite, and they begin a friendship with this little white lie continuing, and he enjoys the company of Ty, with his love for Richard Nixon and politics, and of course the beautiful woman. As this relationship continues Marisa has to try and cover her tracks and not be caught out pretending to be socialite or by Christopher as a maid, her friends and co-workers, such as head butler Lionel Bloch (Bob Hoskins) do what they can to help her. It is inevitable, even after the two spending a night together, that her true identity is revealed, as Christopher's assistant Jerry Siegel (Stanley Tucci) investigates this strange woman he has met, and the truth drifts them apart. They miss each other however, and at a press conference Ty convinces Christopher to forgive his mother for this mistaken identity, and he does go to find Marisa, in the new hotel she is working, and their relationship can be official, and the end sees Christopher elected, and Marisa with her own hospitality business. Also starring Frances Conroy as Paula Burns, Chris Eigeman as John Bextrum, Amy Sedaris as Rachel Hoffberg, Marissa Matrone as Stephanie Kehoe, Priscilla Lopez (no relation to Jennifer) as Veronica Ventura, Lisa Roberts Gillan as Cora, Maddie Corman as Leezette, Sharon Wilkins as Clarice and Jayne Houdyshell as Carmen. Lopez gives a nice performance with the little flurries of a feisty determined attitude, Fiennes is likable as the politician who is intrigued by her character, together they are a relatively good couple, and members of the supporting cast do alright as well. I will admit that I didn't laugh much, there could have been a few more jokes, but the love story built up on a mistake makes up for this, you do sort of route for the two characters to get together, so despite its small flaws it's not a bad romantic comedy. Okay!