MAID IN MANHATTAN 
Starring:
Jennifer Lopez, Ralph Fiennes, Natasha Richardson, Stanley Tucci and Bob Hoskins
Director:
Wayne Wang
Running Time:
105 mins
Out to buy on DVD 15th September
Marisa (Lopez) only wanted to see how the other half live when she tried on one of the guest's very expensive outfits. But when New York Senator candidate Christopher Marshall (Fiennes) mistakes her for the woman staying in the suite, Marisa plays along and enjoys a romantic walk in Central Park. When her conscience gets the better of her and she runs off, Christopher tells his assistant Jerry (Tucci) that he has to see her again. The problem is that Marisa is just a lowly maid in the hotel he is staying in.
Maid in Manhattan is basically Pretty Woman but without J-Lo having to play a hooker.
The story is a classic Cinderella tale of boy meets poor girl dressed as rich girl, they fall in love, he finds out that rich girl is in fact poor girl but they stay in love anyway. Only in Hollywood. This is complete fantasy to pull on the heartstring of the hopeless romantic who dreams of a rich or famous man/woman falling in love with them.
The main problem with this movie, apart from the plot, is the distinct lack of chemistry between Jennifer Lopez and Ralph Fiennes. Ok J-Lo is an extremely attractive woman, which any man would love to see on his arm but Ralph just seems too classy to be going out with a girl from the "block". It just seems more like lust than love. The performances from the two leads like automatons going through the paces to get there pay cheques, especially Fiennes, who you have to wonder why he took such a Hollywood movie after he was trying to stay clear of them after the disaster that was "The Avengers". The supporting cast isn't bad however with Stanley Tucci doing his best with an under written role and British actors Bob Hoskins and Natasha Richardson bring abit of class to the proceedings.
At the end of the day this movie is sugar-filled nonsense, that is inoffensive and mildly entertaining for the hopeless romantics and teenage girls everywhere.
Blooper reel, Promotional trailers, Interactive menu & Scene access
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