Sebastian Silva’s 2009 film “La Nana,” – or “The Maid,” for you non-Spanish speaking readers – is an awkwardly humorous drama that explores the life of an aging housekeeper that’s lost touch with the outside world. The picture opens on Raquel’s 41st birthday, which she accepts with a stern stiffness, receiving gifts and smiling with all of the enthusiasm of a stick figure (Ahem...) It is clear from the outset that she finds little to be happy about, and while she loathes her position, it is the only comfort she knows. And so Raquel paces the house and takes after children that she considers her own, making no verbal complaints and opts instead for the passive-aggressive route. In addition to doing the dishes and laundry, she takes it upon herself to tattle on the masturbatory habits of the son and terrorize the eldest daughter’s study-induced slumber. Needless to say, this creates some tension amongst the family members, which in turn causes more problems for Raquel, etc. etc. Making life hell for everybody proves to be too much and eventually Raquel collapses, turning herself into a heap of exhaustion. Then - although she’s been rotten to her adopted family - they hire on some new help that’s sure to relieve some of her stress. Instead of welcoming some much-needed relaxation, she retaliates by insisting her health and making life hell for each of the new maids. I could say that she finds a metaphor for her life by repeatedly locking every maid outside and turning a deaf ear to their cries from the garden, but I don’t think this movie calls for any of that. Really, all Raquel looks for during the first half of this film is a friend; not a child that she can admire or an employer, but a friend with whom she can share even the simplest of conversations that don’t revolve around the dirty clothes or the placement of pans. She finds this in the third maid, Lucy, who forces her kindness (/nudity) and refuses to be turned away by Raquel’s desires to eat alone. The two grow closer as the film comes to an end, and Raquel begins to take steps to ensure her own happiness.
The film is somewhat touching and lighthearted, but doesn’t offer many layers. It’s much more of a comedy than it is a dramatic piece, and I think the advertisement for this film suggests otherwise. The title – while appropriate – is slightly cryptic, as is the trailer that accompanies it. With dark color schemes and increasingly malicious behavior that’s riddled with a subtle kind of humor that’s anything but overt, I was expecting to be caught off guard by violence. This never comes though, and I suppose that’s a good thing. It’s the kind of movie that a person can laugh at and enjoy in the moment, but probably won’t seek out to view multiple times. I don’t think any of the content warrants or necessitates that. Raquel’s character is easily digested; she’s a hard-nosed bitch that has been stuck inside another family's home for so long that she is apt to avoid cordiality and the bright colors of the world outside. She is certainly well rounded; though her mindset is static, her character is not. She changes throughout the course of the feature, and we finally see her loosen up and find a comfortable rhythm during the last minutes of the movie. Many of the others who are introduced are left to stand on their own with only a few lines or camera shots, however. It’s not that these characters are wholly under-developed, it’s just that maybe their numbers are too great. Clearly this suggests that Raquel is inundated with a flood of people, but maybe it’s too much for the audience. I wasn’t put off necessarily, but only the four characters I mentioned had any real effect on me.
Verdict: Stoked with a lowercase "s." This has got a high rating on IMDb, and I can see why: it is a quality film with interesting characters and an unconventional shooting style. It’s funny and surprising and the casting was wonderful, even with the younger actors. As a whole film, though, "La Nana" is mostly surface and doesn’t offer anything you’ll need to ponder for hours on end.
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Ethan,
ReplyDeleteI have to disagree that The Maid is mainly surface and doesn't offer much to ponder. I think we as Americans don't have much of a hook to hang a film like this one on, because we don't - at least the majority of us don't - live with servants. This was a middle class family - with a live in maid for God's sake! Not uncommon in Chile from what I understand. That family - so accepting of its being right for them to have a servant - and that living situation is _exactly_ what produced the twisted 'hard nosed bitch.' Think about how she lived, as a 41 year old woman, with a small bedroom, eating in the kitchen day after day, doing all the work.
I thought the director got a lot out of glances and facial expressions (e.g. Lucas' [?] glance at Raquel at Lucy's birthday party) and small moments like the father saying "close the door" and shutting Raquel back in the kitchen.
There was a bit of overt violence - don't forget Raquel pushing the kitten over the wall. And I think one can argue that Raquel's situation, the way she is treated fundamentally by the family, is a kind of violence. Lucy says at one point "what have they done to you?"
Holly
Holly,
ReplyDeleteWhen I say that the character is a hard nosed bitch, I don't mean to say that she is a horrible person. I know that the constant upkeep of the house and doting upon the children has caused her behavior. Even though I've never had a maid or had to work a job where I had similar duties, I think I can sympathize with the character well enough. I think the film is effective in this way - we certainly don't hate Raquel. There are things to like.
The struggle in this is certainly an internal one, and I don't necessarily think that what happens to her is violent. Throughout the course of the film, the family is more than willing to help her and even encourages her to do less before she gets sick. The father wanting the door to be closed is morally wrong, I agree, but I don't think it suggests that the family has done anything to emotionally or physically harm Raquel. She feels (I think) that being a maid is her lot in life in that there's not a whole lot she can do to change this, but I never felt as though the family had her chained or forced her into anything.
Overall I felt this was an enjoyable film, but I guess I didn't take the same things from it as you, and that's totally cool. I guess I didn't mean that there was nothing to think about in terms of the film's content, just that I didn't see a lot of philosophical wonders or thoughts that really stuck with me. I'm glad you're commenting back; if nothing else, this film is causing some discussion.