Strong and Moving!

It's no definitive masterpiece but it's damn close.

If you don't like this, we can't be friends.

A movie that not only functions as a solid scarefest but a razor-sharp satire.

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 can't believe I didn't get to watch this until 2016, but there it is! So I am waaaay after the event, which is good, because I had no preconceptions and hype to go upon before viewing. As such, I started watching not expecting that much and was happily surprised. I initially only knew the leading lady was J Lo, so to find Ralph Fiennes as leading man, Natasha Richardson as the (beautiful) ugly sister and Bob Hoskins as the (male) fairy godmother, let alone Stanley Tucci running interference and a cute Tyler Posey acting their butts off was a great joy.So many viewers will watch this film, regard it superficially as a chick flick type of film and therefore will be unlikely to ever bother watching it a second time or appreciate the amazing talent that went into making it - it is there to see if you bother to look, but so many are blind to much... and just want a quick watch, in which case this film will get a lower rating from them which is undeserved.OK, the script could have been less predictable, but, as I said above, it IS Cinderella so you know what is coming anyway, whatever twists there are going to be... if any. As we all know the general plot so well and so many before me have already cited it ad nauseam, I'm going to pass right over that side of things and concentrate on what to me in this film really shines out - what to me makes it a very good film, rather than a nondescript one as with other cast choices would have so easily been the result... THE ACTING.J Lo doesn't do her best performance ever, but is fine. However, Ralph Fiennes brings loads of little nuances to a pretty straightforward and what could very easily be a boring and one-dimensional part. Keep your eagle eyes on his facial expressions and his eyes, oh those eyes, those eyes.... the sign of a truly great actor is to act with their eyes. Considering it is a genre in which we rarely see him perform, all I can say is, what a shame it doesn't happen more often. All those male actors out there wanting to be a romantic lead, you would do well to watch Ralph's subtle performance and learn! Natasha Richardson is brilliant, shamelessly hamming it up as the confused blonde. Heck, she reminds me in this film SO much of her mother. What a tragedy her loss is to all. And Bob Hoskins at his best - superb! Sadly, another huge loss.Stanley Tucci, where would we be without you? I adore your contribution to this film and so many others! That scene with Rufus (the dog) outside the hotel is priceless! LOL! Watch his face, too... Many films otherwise without Stanley Tucci would be like bread without enough salt - you can eat it, but there is something missing... And a tiny Tyler Posey! He must have been about ten when this was filmed and did a great job with some pretty difficult lines at times. Very engaging and a great cast choice.So, yes, if you just like straight up chick flicks, go and watch a chick flick. If you want to watch a (mostly) really well acted sweet romance and enjoy and want to watch it again, then watch Maid in Manhattan - I shall.

This film tells the unlikely romance between a politician and a hotel maid, who met because of a merry mishap."Maid in Manhattan" follows a very predictable plot, which you can already tell in much detail just by looking at the poster. Marisa is a hotel maid with a young son, and she meets a prominent politician because she was trying on a guest's dress in a hotel suite she was cleaning. She is conscious of the class divide, but you could guess the ending. There is nothing groundbreaking or new with "Maid in Manhattan", but it just provides people with hope of moving up the social ladder and meet a prince charming at the same time. It is sweet and fun, and I enjoyed watching it.

This was a decent romantic/mistaken identity movie that I really enjoyed. Jennifer Lopez played a maid in a posh Manhattan hotel when a Senator dropped by. Lopez is just trying to make a decent living and a better life for herself and her son, and she is in the room of a socialite and trying on the lady's clothes when the Senator walks in. Of course he thinks she is the socialite, falls in love with her, and starts taking her out to a whole bunch of important parties and functions, while chaos ensues at her real job and life. I think this was a funny and refreshing movie that you will thoroughly enjoy if you watch it. Lopez and Ralph Fiennes are perfectly cast in it. You will not regret seeing it.*** out of ****