MAID IN MANHATTAN

US, 2002, 102 minutes, Colour.
Jennifer Lopez, Ralph Fiennes, Natasha Richardson, Stanley Tucci, Parker Posey, Bob Hoskins.
Directed by Wayne Wang.

Maid in Manhattan is yet another Cinderella story. This time Cinderella character is a single mother living in New York City who acts as a maid in an upmarket hotel. One day, she tries on the dresses of one of the guests (a rather bitchy Natasha Richardson). She is caught by up and coming politician, Ralph Fiennes in a genial and smiling part that makes very few demands on him, and he thinks she is a socialite. They fall in love.

When the political senator-to-be – charming – finds out the truth, he then pursues the maid to woo her – even though it seems clear that the rags and riches worlds are very much apart socially if not geographically.

The film offers familiar material and many people were reminded of films like Sabrina and its remake. The story was by John Hughes who considered directing. However, it was directed by Wayne Wang – something of a surprise since his films of the late 80s were very strong: Chan is Missing, Dim Sum, Slam Dance, Eat a Bowl of Tea, Life is Cheap. During the 90s he made an interesting group of films including The Joy Luck Club, Smoke and Blue in the Face as well as the film about the handing over of Hong Kong to China, Chinese Box. Apart from The Centre of the World, a rather strong sexual drama, his other films have been full of sentiment, even sentimentality: Anywhere But Here, Because of Winn-Dixie?, Last Holiday.

1. Popular romantic comedy, the Cinderella story in contemporary Manhattan? The popularity of this kind of film with audiences - and not with critics?

2. The work of Wayne Wang, his serious dramas, his moving into more explicitly American emotional romantic themes?

3. The title, the focus on Jennifer Lopez? Her ability to appear comfortably as a maid and as a wealthy woman? Her screen presence, acting ability? The pairing with Ralph Fiennes? A credible romantic couple?

4. The focus on Marisa, her absent husband and his irresponsibility, bringing up Tyler by herself? Getting him ready for school, his nervousness about his speech, her reassurance? At work, her friendship with the women, with the man at the surveillance desk? Her friendship with Stephanie, urging her on to apply for the management training and position? Going about her work, her abilities? The range of customers she encountered? With Caroline, doing the special requests, going to the shop, being looked down on as a maid? Her coming back, going to hear Tyler's speech, his failure, her reassurance and urging him better next time? Her relationship with her mother, loving her but finding her mother dominant? At work, the application and the good reception, her bewilderment, her being angry with Steph? The trying on of the clothes, her looking glamorous, Chris Marshall mistaking her for Caroline, the encounter with Ty and his bringing Chris to his mother, the walk in the park, with the dog? Her speaking bluntly to Chris? Trying to avoid the paparazzi? Her return, hurrying back to normal? At home, having to take Ty to work, leaving him in the care of the fellow workers? Her being asked to prepare the dinner for Chris and Carolyn, her hiding herself, her being supported by Lionel? The demand that she go to the social function, everybody preparing her to be glamorous, at the function, Carolyn not recognising her - especially after her giving advice about what she should wear and her being humiliated by Rachel, the stereotyping of the Latina? Her charming Chris, running away, the night together, her leaving, being recognised with the necklace? Her being called to account, Carolyn's reaction, Chris's reaction? Her getting the sack? Her mother's complaints? Her not listening to her mother, refusing to take her mother's advice for a job? The deal with Ty and not mentioning Chris again? Getting a new job, doing well, Chris's arrival, Christmas time? Chris finding her in the staff room, the press following, the kiss, the photographs? On TV? Her being hounded outside her house? The happy ending, her becoming a manager (with her friends as assistants), his winning the election? The collage of magazine covers?


5. Ty, ten, his absent father, the love of his mother, preparing his speech, his reading about Nixon and Kissinger, his wanting his parents to be there, people laughing at him, nervousness, losing his words and going off stage? His mother supporting him? At the hotel, occupying himself? The encounter with Chris, with the dog, asking permission to walk, finding his mother - and the leading into the mix-up? His discussions with Chris about nervousness and the paper clip speech? His supporting his mother, going to ask Chris the question at the press conference, leading Chris to his mother? Part of the happy ending? A precocious boy? An engaging boy?

6. Chris, the political background, his campaign, being badgered by Jerry? Not doing what Jerry wanted? The chance encounter with Marisa in the bathroom, not recognising her later? The encounter in the room, going for the walk, his being charmed, evading the press? His listening to her political and social comments? The return, his arranging the dinner with Caroline, discovering the wrong Caroline, the dinner and his difficulties? His demanding of Jerry that he find Marisa and take her to the function? The press conferences, the social, trying to do the right thing? Pursuing Marisa, the night with her? The discovery of the truth, the confrontation? Her speaking bluntly to him about the projects in the Bronx? The separation, his return, answering Ty's question? Finding Marisa again, the kiss, the happy ending?

7. Jerry, the adviser, hurrying, always under stress? His relationship with Chris's father, the difficult relationship with Chris? Having to hold the dog and being seen by the political opponents? Having to find out about Carolyn, about Marisa? His continued presence - and trying to cover things, especially in the press conferences? The finale with him on the cover with the dog?

8. Caroline, the break-up of her romance, affluent, asking Marisa to do all the jobs, affected, her exercise regime, dependence on Rachel? Rachel and her snobbery towards Marisa? Carolyn and the invitation, flirting with Chris, the dinner? Buying the ticket for the social? Not recognising Marisa and asking who she was? Recognising the jewellery, the confrontation, her forcing Marisa out of her job? Chris and his dismissal of her?

9. Marisa's mother, her dreams and hopes for her daughter, limited?

10. Lionel, his long service in the hotel, his manners, expertise, Marisa helping him with his cut hand, his helping her, covering at the dinner, allowing her to go out, his resignation and final speech encouraging Marisa?

11. Stephanie, her urging Marisa to better things, the other friends? The hotel management staff?

12. The press, the paparazzi, pursuing Chris, the photos, the papers, the headlines, the television?

13. A contemporary Cinderella story - and a dream-like romance? In the beauty and atmosphere of New York City - after September 11, 2001?