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| Movie Review: The Maid (La Nana) Alternate Title: Woman on the Verge
Story: Make a mental note to
remember 30 year old Chilean director Sebastián
Silva's name. He is going to be big in the movie world. This
exceptional character study and social commentary about a maid was written
by Mr. Silva and Pedro Peirano. Raquel is 41 and has been the maid in a busy
Chilean household since she was 18. She works six days a week, takes
care of the four children, cooks, cleans and has no life of her own.
She has invested her existence in this family but as we see - she is
not really a part of the family. She remains the maid. Raquel is exhausted
and plagued with headaches, dizziness and insecurities. The lady of
the house, in an effort to help Raquel, hires her some help. This territorial
invasion causes some comedic cinematic segments but is, at the same
time, heartbreaking. How Raquel awakens from her marginalized existence
is wonderful cinema. The astonishing performance by Chilean TV star,
Catalina Saavedra, is worth the price of admission. Watch the trailer here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVCoY-p9xLc
Trivia: Pedro Peirano filmed this semi-autobiographical
tale in his childhood home and dedicated the movie to two of his 'maids.'
Catalina Saavedra won Best Actress award at the Cartegena
Film Festival and Special Jury Prize at Sundance. The Chilean Government,
for some wacky reason, did not enter this film into the Best Foreign
Film Oscar race. Big mistake.
Predilection: None
Critters: Ah, the kitten. A sweet, though loud, kitten
is brought into the house and Raquel does not greet this interloper
with open arms. I was worried about the kitten, but other than being
thrown out, nothing bad happens to the kitten (I imagine).
Food: Food is a big part of this film. It opens with
a birthday cake for Raquel and we then get to enjoy several meals with
the family throughout the film.
Sex Spectrum: Some shower scenes with quick shots
of boobs, a teenager caught in an embarrassing masturbation incident
over too much laundry and some fumbling in the bedroom.
Opening Titles: We watch Raquel, alone in the kitchen,
eating some mystery meat and potatoes while the family enjoys their
dinner in the other room.
Visual Art: The film is shot in what I guess is Raquel's
claustrophobic imprisonment in the house.
Theater Audience: About 20 other people.
Weather: It is warm in Chile in December.
Sappy Factor: 0
Quirky Meter: 0
Squirm Scale: I was worried about the kitten for
awhile.
Drift Factor: I was riveted throughout.
Predictability Level: I was not sire where this film
was going.
Tissue Usage: 0
Oscar Worthy: Award worthy, for sure.
Big Screen or Rental: If you can find it go for the
big screen.
Length: 90 minutes
LOBO HOWLS: 8.5
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