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The Housemaid – Review
The Housemaid – Budget of $35 million – 2 hours and 11 minutes
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Millie arrives at the Winchester Estate, and Nina Winchester greets Millie with a smile and hor d’oeuvres. Nina examines Millie’s résumé and qualifications. She reiterates that the position is a live-in maid, with light cleaning, cooking, and childcare. Millie agrees to the terms but doesn’t see why Nina needs a maid. Her home is immaculate. Nina confesses that she’s expecting but hasn’t told her husband, Andrew, or daughter, CeCe. Nina walks Millie around the house and shows Millie her living quarters. Millie thinks everything is wonderful. Nina expresses that she has more applicants to interview before choosing a housemaid. But she will call Millie back soon.
Millie drives away, removes her glasses, and rolls her eyes. She never expects to hear from Nina again. Millie is on probation for 5 years after serving 10 years in prison. She knows one background check will rule her out. Millie takes showers in gas station bathrooms, applies for any job, and sleeps in her car. The cops knock on her window in the morning. Millie wakes and tells them she pulled over on the way to her mother’s house. When her phone rings, she pretends it’s her mother. The police let her off with a warning as Millie answered the phone. It’s Nina offering Millie the job. She wants Millie to start as soon as possible, and Millie is willing to do so this afternoon. Millie thinks her prayer has been answered. She has a steady job, a paycheck, and a place to live. Her probation officer will be pleased. However, Millie has no idea the danger lurking behind the iron gate.
Based on The Housemaid by Freida McFadden, this film is a wild ride that plays with motifs, surroundings, and wardrobe to convey deeper meanings (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). The house is void of color except for one bathroom with snake wallpaper. Nina always wears a hue of white until the telling ending. She’s seen as clean, perfect, and pure. Everything is in its place. Then, her home becomes a wreck, but she’s still in white. Millie and Andrew stain on the screen as they wear darker wardrobes. The different angles show the power dynamic shift throughout the film. It will leave you dizzy. Also, the split screens and overlays of different people experiencing the same turmoil are jaw-dropping. This film will make you want to read the book and compare it. It’s pragmatic, cultural, and surprising.
I give it 4.5 out of 5 stars
We cannot hear you downstairs – Nina
No shoes on the furniture – CeCe
Tomorrow will be better – Andrew
I don’t even wear glasses – Millie
Ella McCay – Review
Ella McCay – Budget of $35 million – 1 hour and 55 minutes
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Lieutenant Governor Ella McCay approaches her office when her secretary, Estelle, hands Ella a letter. A reporter wants exclusive access to her. If not, he will release damaging information he has about her and her husband, Ryan. A former trooper reported that Ella and Ryan shared intimate moments on government property. While it wasn’t an affair, it is illegal to do that on government time and goods. Ella pushes the matter aside and jumps in her vehicle. Her driver, Trooper Nash, drives Ella to her aunt’s bar. Aunt Helen raised Ella since she was 16 and has been the voice of reason for Ella. Helen’s advice is to dump the dead weight: Ryan. Ella refuses because he’s provided a sense of fun for her.
Ella returns to work, and Governor Bill is waiting in her office. The President chose Bill as the next Secretary of the Interior, and Bill will name Ella the acting governor immediately. He mentions that she wouldn’t get the job any other way. While Ella is good at passing legislation, she isn’t well-liked amongst constituents. Ella believes she can win them over with her tooth tutor and well baby legislation. Bill shakes his head, stands up, and grabs the doorknob. He can hear the reporters at Ella’s door, waiting for his confirmation. He lets Ella go first and announces her promotion. Ella shies away from the camera as Ryan smiles for the it, grabs her, and dances with her. She wants to do good for her state, but life will happen.
Ella McCay is a smartly-written film about family, relationships, and politics. The plot teaches micro lessons in civics while entertaining. Ella is highly capable and intelligent. However, she has anchors pulling her down. Sadly, she doesn’t see how her two biggest pitfalls mirror each other until it’s too late. The cast did a stellar job of acting with little dialogue. They let their facial expressions and hand gestures convey the message. This movie shows how politics is a constant tight rope walk of personal and professional policing. Ella learns that ‘good’ and ‘right’ aren’t always the same. The plot doesn’t mention what state or political party Ella represents, but only her ideals. It helps viewers connect with her personal turmoil. At the conclusion, this picture will encourage you to scream healthily.
I give it 4 out of 5 stars
Not really – Ella
Do you want me to worry about him too – Estelle
It’s all a joke except for us, baby – Ryan
You are going to die – Casey
Are you trying to cry – Nash
I can’t let you walk into my mistake – Claire
Stop the world – Bill
Don’t be sad. Don’t be mad – Helen
No. Not … Not really – Eddie
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Categories: albert brooks, Amanda Seyfried, Ayo Edebiri, Brandon Sklenar, Elizabeth Perkins, Ella McCay, Emma Mackey, In The Theater, Jack Lowden, Jamie Lee Curtis, Julie Kavner, Kumail Nanjiani, Michele Morrone, movie, Rebecca Hall, review, Spike Fearn, Sydney Sweeney, The Housemaid, woody harrelson
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