"The Maid"
by: Paolo Sardinas

In Chile the sights and sounds are beautiful. Well at least most of the sights are. But another feature of Chile, which is rarely ever examined in movies, is the social class system. Sure it may seem like nothing but it really is something. "The Maid" takes a hard look into that social class system and presents it all in a truly entertaining form. While its not perfect, director Sebastian Silva manages to make a fairly impressive feature and the movie is even better with it's undeniably extraordinary lead.

"The Maid" in question is played by the wonderful Catalina Saavedra. She plays a woman so bitter and so pissed off that at times you almost find yourself questioning why the family just doesn't kick her the hell out. Well that's because shes been working there for twenty years. She is, or at least she thinks she is, just as much a part of the family as everyone else. Raquel is the housekeeper's name by the way. The families matriarch is played by Claudia Celedon. Ms Claudia decides on hiring a new maid to help out Raquel, well Raquel doesn't like that. Raquel does everything in her power to get rid of her, including torturing a poor little cat.

Yes I know the film just quickly changed tones here but fret not because all of this is done in a way which shows just how attached to this family Raquel is. She is the family. So she thinks. Shes only around for as long as the family wants her there, but on top of that the relationship between her and the oldest daughter of the family is beyond strained. Of course they hire more and more maids to help her out but each one just gets the boot. Until they hire Lucy, played by Marianna Loyola. Lucy doesn't put up with this, and of course shes able to melt right through Raquels rough and tough exterior and becomes her friend. How nice.

Though the direction and acting are superb "The Maid" does lack a little in its plot-line. Sure the film is filled with themes, morals, and insider looks but I'm talking about the plot-line. I wish that the relationship with the kids were more explained and maybe if some of the other family members got some more screen time, but hey its still pretty damn good. The only real reason were able to see just how pissed off Raquel is because of the amazing performance. The films tag-line also helps to some up things fairly well, "Shes more or less family."

Throughout the entire film Catalina Saaverda is an absolute joy to watch. She creates a character whose so hell bent on being the one and only maid you almost forget she is a maid. Shes plays a woman whose always on verge of going nuts but she never actually goes over the top. Always keeping some amount of cool while being treated horrendously. That is something to admire. And director Sebastian Silva takes hard look into the social class systems of Chile. Something which really isn't a surprise considering the fact that he himself grew up in an upper class family in Chile. In fact the entire movie is shot inside of his previous home. He, with the help of his extraordinary cast, help to create something which is undeniably unique.

Its something which manages to combine, seemingly without any effort, entertainment and though provoking images. Thinks which will make you think twice about the next time you shrug off your house keeper. A film which is not worth missing. No matter what country your in, "The Maid" is relevant to, really, all the social class systems in all the world. A hard look at us and how we treat our family members, even if they are extended family members. And thanks to this award worthy performance Catalina Saaverda just might be another household name. Though it isn't 100% perfect, it is about 90% there, it still is undeniably amazing. Grade: A-