Movie review: Maid in Manhattan

 

At an upscale New York City hotel Marisa and Senatorial candidate Christopher cross paths and he falls madly in love. What he doesn't know is that Marisa is actually a hotel maid, not the socialite he thought.

Jennifer Lopez (Marisa), Ralph Fiennes (Christopher), Natasha Richardson (Caroline), Stanley Tucci (Jerry), Tyler Posey (Ty), Frances Conroy (Paula), Chris Eigeman (John), Amy Sedaris (Rachel), Marissa Matrone (Steph).

Hotel maid Marisa is trying on the dress of a guest when political mover Christopher spots her and falls in love, not realizing she is a maid. The rest of the film is the story of Marisa hiding her true identity even as she falls in love with Christopher. Fast forward to the Happy Ever After ending. Yeah, it's a chick flick, so what. As far as chick flicks go, I've seen this one a few times and I actually enjoy it.

Acting was good with J-Lo delivering much better than expected. Fiennes was enjoyable with solid delivery and fit with Lopez. Tucci, Posey, Richardson, and Conroy added some nice depth and experience. The remainder of the supporting cast were enjoyable.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds were pretty simple but nicely done. Dialogue was silly, dramatic, and even campy at times but created a fairly light feel throughout the film. Sound and soundtrack are both well done.

Maid in Manhattan is made for those who enjoy a happy romantic comedy. J-Lo or Fiennes fans should definitely check this one out. Those looking for depth, or romance paired with realistic drama, may be disappointed.

With some very mild nudity and light foul language, this should be fine for teens and above.

Released: 2002
Reviewed: 4.12.18
Star rating: 4 out of 5
Genre: Romance, Comedy, Drama, Romantic Comedy

copyright ©2018 Dave Riedel

Movie review: Waking Ned Devine

 

 In a small town in the Irish countryside local Ned Devine has won the national lottery, which literally shocks him to death. Lottery officials closing in to deliver the prize in person, the townsfolk devise a plan to keep Ned alive.

Ian Bannen (Jackie), David Kelly (Michael), Fionnula Flanagan (Annie), Susan Lynch (Maggie), James Nesbitt (Finn), Paul Vaughan (Narrator), Maura O'Malley (Mrs. Kennedy), Robert Hickey (Maurice), Paddy Ward (Brendy).

Waking Ned Devine is a quirky journey that, while a bit detached from reality, is a fun ride with some good laughs. The plot is pretty simple; Ned wins the lottery which kills him from shock. A few in the small town he lived in know he has died and decide to keep it a secret until after the lotto winnings are delivered. Enter the comedy. From there the film is a fun, lighthearted ride that is more entertaining than expected.

Acting was very good from the main cast. Kelly was particularly enjoyable with Bannen, Flanagan, Nesbitt, and Lynch not far behind. The remainder of the cast, even if a bit rough in spots, were fun and fitting.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds felt a bit unpolished and lacking detail at times, but fit the film. Dialogue had some nice laughs and moved the story along well. A few accents were rough but not bad. Sound is fairly well done.

If you enjoy a light comedy, or British comedy, you should enjoy this one.

With a touch of mild nudity, this should be fine for teens and above.

Released: 1998
Reviewed: 4.12.18
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Comedy, British Comedy, Indie Films

copyright ©2018 Dave Riedel

Movie review: Revolutionary Road

 

A young Connecticut couple raising two children contemplate moving to Paris in the mid-1950's. As their relationship begins to crumble only days before the move the two blame each other for their situation.

Kate Winslet (April), Leonardo DiCaprio (Frank), David Harbour (Shep), Kathy Bates (Mrs. Givings), Kathryn Hahn (Milly), Dylan Baker (Jack), Keith Reddin (Bandy), Max Casella (Ed), Michael Shannon (John).

Revolutionary Road is the story of April and Frank Wheeler. Meeting and marrying when young, the film follows their lives as they struggle with their careers, raising children, and each other. Along the way there are lies, deception, and some love. What the story doesn't have is an ending. The film finishes with no real resolution or even a point of any kind that we could find.

Shannon was a real standout in this one with a role that complimented his talents. Winslet and DiCaprio both did quite well and their obvious chemistry fits this film perfectly. Harbour was enjoyable, and Bates delivered nicely as always. The remaining cast was solid and delivered good quality.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds are nicely done and feel fitting for the period. Mild action was good. Dialogue was enjoyable with reasonable depth and movement. Sound was solid while the soundtrack was enjoyable with some period fitting pieces.

Revolutionary Road is not a revolutionary film, but it is somewhat entertaining. Those who enjoy a solid drama, or light romance, should enjoy this one. Those looking for moral lessons or the satisfaction of an ending with purpose may be disappointed.

With some mild sexuality and nudity, mild violence, foul language, and plenty of smoking and drinking, you should probably save this one for the oldest teens and above.

Released: 2008
Reviewed: 4.10.18
Star rating: 2 out of 5
Genre: Drama, Romance, Dramas based on Books, Tearjerkers

copyright ©2018 Dave Riedel

Movie review: The Reader

 

In Germany after WWII, young Michael has an affair with an older woman which comes to a mysterious end. Later as a law student, he encounters her again at her trial for war-crimes. And as a middle-aged man, he and Hanna cross paths once again.

Ralph Fiennes (Michael), David Kross (Young Michael), Jeanette Hain (Brigitte), Kate Winslet (Hanna), Susanne Lothar (Carla), Alissa Wilms (Emily), Florian Bartholomai (Thomas), Friederike Becht (Angela), Matthias Habich (Peter), Rainer Sellien (Teacher).

The Reader is an intense story of a love that survives time. As a young man Michael has an affair with an older woman, Hanna. Their relationship ends mysteriously, but they reconnect about a decade later. Again their relationship ends, and this time they reconnect almost 20 years later. The plot sounds simple but the story is told with intensity and depth that is captivating. The characters are relatable and enjoyable, and the plot has a well done richness.

Winslet felt like she was in an unusual role, but she delivered wonderfully. Kross also did very well with good depth and emotion. Fiennes delivered as usual, as did Lothar. Sellien was a good choice for his role, as was Hain. The remainder of the cast supported well.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds all felt solid and appropriate. The story felt like it was in post-WWI Germany. Any CGI in this one was well hidden. Dialogue was both interesting and entertaining, and delivered the story nicely. Sound and soundtrack are solid.

Overall anyone who enjoys romance should enjoy The Reader. With a bit of spice, drama, and intrigue, the film develops and ages through to the end. Those looking for a shiny modern romance may not enjoy this so much.

With a fair amount of sexuality, intimacy, full nudity, and some foul language, save this one for older teens and above.

Released: 2008
Reviewed: 4.10.18
Star rating: 4 out of 5
Genre: Romance, Drama, Dramas based on Books, Courtroom Drama, Steamy Romance

copyright ©2018 Dave Riedel

Movie review: Belle de Jour

 

 Severine loves her new husband, but isn't interested in intimacy with him, instead exploring erotic daydreams to satisfy her desires. But when that isn't enough, she begins working at a Parisian brothel under an assumed name, while maintaining celibacy in her marriage.

Catherine Deneuve (Severine/Belle), Jean Sorel (Pierre), Michel Piccoli (Husson), Genevieve Page (Madame Anais), Pierre Clementi (Marcel), Francoise Fabian (Charlotte), Macha Meril (Renee).

Belle de Jour is an unusual film following the life of Severine, a frigid newlywed who decides to work afternoons as a Parisian prostitute to satisfy her physical needs, even while maintaining celibacy in her marriage. Severine's fantasies of domination, humiliation, and abuse aren't something she wants to explore with her husband, but is willing to explore with others. Eventually this leads to a client becoming infatuated, putting Severine's charmed life in jeopardy. The film is a bit choppy and fantasy scenes are presented without warning of any kind, but the story is told well.

Acting almost felt painful in this one. Part of that of course is the age and origin of the film. Deneuve felt almost detached, which actually added to the mystery of her fantasies. Sorel was decent and Piccoli was an appropriate antagonist. Clementi was unusual enough to be interesting, while Page was a close second.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds are enjoyable with a solid, realistic feel. Dialogue was a bit dry, and the subtitles (this is in French) could have been timed better. Sound is decent.

Overall Belle de Jour is an interesting story of eroticism and the exploration of fantasies. The film is showing some age, and could have used a serious infusion of energy, but we would imagine at the time it was released it was probably considered somewhat racy. Those who enjoy older Foreign Romance should enjoy this one.

With some intimate fantasies, nudity, and mild violence, this one is best saved for adults.

Released: 1967
Reviewed: 4.8.18
Star rating: 2 out of 5
Genre: Drama, Classics, Foreign Romance, Foreign Art, French films

copyright ©2018 Dave Riedel