Madame (I) (2017) User Reviews

I saw the film dubbed into Spanish so can bring light to the ending

[cornelia123 · 7/10 · 2 November 2020]

Whilst watching the film dubbed into Spanish when Michael Smiley bumps into Toni Collette and the camera pans away whilst she starts to tell him something about Rossy de Palma, I could perfectly hear from far her telling him "Maria is my servant, she's been working for us for many years". So yes, he did know she was a maid when he went to have tea with Toni Collette and he deliberately ignored her in order for her to 'know her place'. Indeed, the minute he found out who she really was he stopped calling her and totally ignored her messages. It was obvious that he was only interested in her because he thought she was a Spanish princess, so he turned out to be just as shallow and classist as Toni Collette herself was. I'm obviously referring to their characters by the way.

When Maria finally leaves and crosses the bridge, at first she is very sad but then by the time she reaches the end of the bridge you see her smiling, and seems happy and hopeful. Maybe out of comfort and because Toni Collette paid her daughter's studies, Maria stayed a maid for longer than she had planned. Now she has been liberated and all possibilities are open to her. She may return to Spain to be with her daughter, or she may look for another job in Paris, maybe as a cook, or something else altogether. She may also find true love with a good man. I believe it is implied that she would find her own happy ending and that not ending up with Michael Smiley is not a 'sad ending' at all, on the contrary. Perhaps, the 'sad ending' is actually for Michael Smiley, Toni Collette and Havey Keitel, because they have proven to be shallow people who only care about 'appearances', 'sex' and 'money. They will never find true happiness or know what love really is, because they themselves are incapable of it, whereas Rossy de Palma's Maria emanates love and goodnes, and will attract good people towards her. She has a bright future ahead, no matter where she ends up working, because she has a rich inner life, whereas the others have a bleak and empty future ahead, stuck with their empty inner lives, as their looks will fade, their money may disappear at any minute, and their 'power' in their circle would then dwindle. What will be of them then without their mask and pretences? Nothing.

I give the film a 7.5 out of 10 and recommend it. It has it's fun moments and is well acted by all concern, but Rossy de Palma shines and easily makes you see her character's inner beauty.

Do we really need another "Maid in Manhattan"?

[ngegir-96321 · 7/10 · 13 April 2018]

I feel that 'Madame' needs a few words spoken in its defence.

Trying to keep this as spoiler-free as possible, this is a lovely, bitter-sweet little dramedy, unusual in its ending. And this latter element is precisely what is charming about it. It is not just another Disney-like, implausible, 'Cinderella' story of the type Hollywood throws up at us with admirable frequency. Though by far not a masterpiece, and in search of a character, being not quite a drama, nor quite a comedy, the ending makes it stand out.

In my view, the ending is perfect precisely because it is more realistic, it feels more real. Characters who live in a false world (keeping thin by forcefully throwing up, or organising luxurious parties while being on the verge of bankruptcy) remain in their false world, continuing to suffer in their gilded cages. Is that not the perfect punishment? People who were always dignified, who had self-respect and a certain untouched morality, retain their dignity, their esteem, in their own eyes, and in the eyes of the audience. Is that not an effective ending? It is not necessary to always have the same reversal of roles, easily served, and so easily digested, dispensed with, and forgotten.

Every time a script goes outside the usual, overused Hollywood trope, audiences start to bitch and moan at how awful this is, how unsatisfied they are. I have a strong feeling, that if it had the ending everyone is so anxious for, these same people would say: 'Well, where's the novelty in that? We've seen that before'.

Haven't we seen enough 'Maids in Manhattan'? Do we really need yet another fairly empty romance story with the usual players - the low-born or low-placed but (always!) beautiful girl, the quirky, but ridiculous best friend, the rich and powerful stud who crosses the social divide for love? Such films are sweet, but outside their very narrow romantic premise, sweet as that may be, they say very little either about society, or about the people in it, their character, their self-perception, their understanding of the world around them. 'Madame' has something to say about these things. It says it with much less panache than 'Remains of the Day', but it is closer to the real world of today than other romantic comedies.

No, I do not consider 'Madame' a masterpiece. Nor do I feel it wants to be such. If its aims are modest, they are still interesting and valid, and if the satire and social commentary are modest, this does not make them necessarily less effective, or less intelligent.

Perhaps giving it a 7 is too generous (or, depending on ones perspective and understanding, not generous enough). Yet I feel the ending does merit recognition, and if I gave the rest a six, the ending pulls in a star on its own.

a slow-burning comedy of inflated egos and a Cinderella dream

[CineMuseFilms · 7/10 · 31 August 2017]

The comedy of manners genre uses satire to expose the rituals and affectations that pass for social politeness. Driven by witty dialogue and characterisation, it laughs at the best and worst in human behaviour. A good example is the comedy drama Madame (2017) that blends themes of race and class in a charming Cinderella tale of self-discovery.

The plot line is deceptively straightforward. Pretentious American couple Anne (Toni Collette) and Bob (Harvey Keitel) have rented an elegant manor in trendy Paris to impress their friends and clients. On the eve of a 'spare-no-expense' formal dinner a guest cancels, leaving the dinner table with an odd number of guests. Anne instructs her shy servant Maria (Rossy de Palma) to make up the number, pretend to be a Spanish lady friend, and say very little. After a few drinks, Maria becomes outgoing and is noticed by British art broker David (Michael Smiley) who is convinced she is a mysterious aristocrat. To Anne's horror they begin seeing each other despite desperate attempts to stop them.

Woven into this simple plot is a portrait of a lowly maid hoping to be loved for who she is, not what she does. Her nemesis is Anne, the wicked witch who wants to keep her in place. While Keitel and Smiley competently fill their supporting roles, the emotional energy comes entirely from the two female stars. Collette portrays scandalised with consummate bitchery as she engineers what she calls a 'slow-motion car crash' and de Palma does a heart-warming rendition of the maid who dares to hope. Brilliantly filmed in Parisian locations, its narrative twists and turns play on themes of class ritual and racial stereotype. The script is at times laboured with trite references to knowing one's place, but it is de Palma who keeps the story alive. She uses those big innocent eyes to convey how it feels to suddenly believe that someone really loves you, all while being oblivious to the masquerade into which she has been thrust. De Palma's unconventional aesthetics become a device to highlight the deeper values of kind-hearted character and the superficiality of skin-deep beauty.

This slow-burning comedy is a study of inflated egos and natural humility. Its minimal plot allows the focus to stay on the battle between primal feminine drives, one stopping at nothing to preserve the social order, the other swept up in a Cinderella dream. Not all fairy tales have conclusive endings and nor does this one. But it has enough laughter and warm-hearted moments to be worth watching despite its BYO ending.

A comedy that ends in an unexpected manner

[Gordon-11 · 22 December 2017]

This film tells the story of a maid who fills in as a guest in her employer's dinner party. A wealthy art dealer falls for her, and a tricky situation ensues.

Even though it is a comedy, I actually feel bittersweet. It is great that the maid has her moments to shine, but I really hoped for that particular ending. After all, as a character in the film says, everyone hopes for it, so I certainly hope for it too. It is funny in the beginning but changes drastically in the end.

Ending: of course he knew

[mabernard_7 · 7/10 · 3 October 2019]

The ending is exactly as it seems for Maria. Ive read reviews that said he didn't see her. He absolutely did see her. It's just that he looked at her dismissively, just as one might expect for servants, not giving a second glance. (Don't forget he stopped calling too.) He knew. At the end when he's on the steps with David he said, "a woman I was once fond of" to Stephen, the one who told the lie in the first place. I am a Polly Anna. I like happy endings so this just makes me sad.

Good, funny movie but the ending...

[jkt2006 · 7/10 · 1 September 2019]

This is totally a Rossy de palma's Movie. She takes the cake with her awesome performance be it the comic timing or the seriousness of her character. Toni and Harvey fo good jobs in their roles. But sadly the ending was too disappointing. I mean it could have been better. Overall worth a watch though.

Nice Cinderella story

[Alexander_Blanchett · 7/10 · 7 November 2018]

It was a fine comedy with a strong beginning but a rather weakish second half. Toni Collette was great and and the top of her game with another great characters under her belt and she once again proved her abilities as a true chameleon actress. Also she was quite sexy here, that just on a side note. It was good to see Harvey Keitel in another major role and he obviously had a lot of fun with his character. A very vital performance. The true highlight of the film is the performance of Rossy de Palma. What a riot! She totally owns every scene she is in with her great charmes comedic timing and depth. A very good supporting performance. The rest of the cast is solid enough to give the film some drive. The screenplay was not great, as I said story and dialogue worked at the beginning but it seems they ran out of ideas quite quick and did not offer a great conclusion and neither a very interesting development. Fine score and good cinematography make it worthwhile.

Good and probably true

[falleralla · 7/10 · 16 January 2021]

A film that looks at the relationship between employer and employee. It has several funny scenes but it's easy to choke on the laughter since the story feels a bit too real at times. I enjoyed it and even if there's some nasty bits I think the film has a positive vibe

Fails at the final third.

[carolethecatlover · 3/10 · 13 June 2017]

Rossy de Palma, Toni Collette, Harvey Keitel, Paris....What could go wrong? Well, the story and the ending.

The first two-thirds are hilarious and set the scene (gorgeously) then it falls off a cliff, ceases to be a comedy or even a drama, and for the last third is in search of an ending. The final is unsatisfactory in every respect. This could have been great. What happened? Did somebody snatch the script out of the hands of the author/director and insist someone else write it? Whatever, it does not work. All the actors are brilliant, the Paris is a Paris unseen in previous films. The cinematography is wonderful. The story, like the curate's egg, is good in parts, the first parts...... I was in the 2nd audience to see this at the Sydney Film Festival and the director, Amanda Sthers, gave a Q and A in a charming French accent but she stated that is the ending she wanted. But there was a lot of justification. Coulda been a contender.

I saw the end differently

[boydwalters · 7/10 · 4 December 2017]

Collette gets complicated passive aggressive rich bitch to a tee ... Keitel is regal ... But this is Rossy de Palmas' movie ... She is just marvellous At times very funny, the film never shies away from the underlying savagery and self obsession that has to be in a character to get them and keep them in the sort of lifestyle that Anne and Bob live Michael Smiley's character starts his relationship with de Palma based on the understanding that she is prime aristocracy, but the truth may not have killed the relationship eventually Collettes character certainly tries, with a conversation that pulls away from us and we never hear what is actually said But I don't think that that was necessarily the end for them Someone mentioned Smiley's character ignoring de Palma as she serves tea and cakes to him and Collette, but the fact is he never looks at her, he is talking to Collette, he would not of imagined her being there ( unless Collette did tell him that it hadn't been a joke that she was her long time maid, but that is another story/possibility ) So when Rossy is walking away at the end, I choose to think David accidentally catches up with her and they go for lunch and maybe sort it out ... I want the happy ending :) x

Rossy steals the show

[gardermoen-47592 · 5/10 · 11 October 2018]

This movie could have been something truly amazing but it just seems to limp along without much focus at any of the main plot points. The only saving grace was the dead pan wit and charm of Rossy de Palma.

Why the ending was so satisfying

[jechampionink-46200 · 10/10 · 14 February 2021]

There are complaints about the ending. But I found it to be a happy one. There were a lot of clues about the art dealer's true motivations. He found Maria charming, yes. But his true motivation was to meet her supposedly aristocratic family in Madrid and make some lucrative sales. He was no different than the other shallow, unfaithful, mercenary characters in that social set. She escaped the ultimate fate of Anne and the other chronically cuckolded characters with her dignity intact. And the knowledge of Maria's integrity and character, along with the expression on her face, made her appear truly beautiful as she crossed that bridge - despite her oddball features.

MAIDEN VOYAGE

[js-66130 · 6/10 · 6 April 2018]

The class chasm movie never gets old, but neither does it ever grow young.

Madame has all the chess players in place for a juicy moral tale, bringing a refreshing outsider into a snooty rich circle. As the awkward but loveable maid forced into a stuffy dinner charade, Rossy De Palma warms her nerves with wine, and inadvertently becomes the belle of the ball. The lie grows out of hand, and we have plot.

As the manipulative hostess to the jet set, Toni Collette is insufferably fantastic in her role, the perfect villain to our cheery servant, but this really is De Palma's movie from the get go.

The escalating conflict is quite delicious if not by the numbers predictable, though in a surprising twist - spoiler alert: the ending will now be discussed - not really resolved. The conclusion appears ambiguous, or at least open to multiple deductions (I would argue De Rossa's subtle smirk says it all). This has caused a bit of a fire storm amongst viewers demanding a neat and tidy resolution. Hoo and rah.

Abandons four plot lines

[redhandmoto · 2/10 · 13 April 2018]

As though the electric bill hadn't been paid, four plot lines and the entire movie gets cut off and credits roll 4/5ths of the way through the film. Otherwise - Toni Collette was dreadful, mugging her lines grotesquely. Rossy de Palma was wonderful, Harvey Keitel was ... professional, but played his character as oddly resigned, as though he was aware that the story was going to get clotheslined Great sound track Why was the mess released?

I never write bad reviews, but I feel I have to comment on this one...

[DangerManTX · 6/10 · 9 December 2017]

Well I am annoyed. Just watched the movie, and what was a pretty good film had a really crappy ending. Toni is a real hypocrite and total bitch in the movie, you really want her utter snobbery to be her undoing. Problem with trying to make a movie like French Cinema, is that it is unsatisfying for an American audience. The ending is plain bad. I gave the movie a 6/10, that seems fair to me, since it goes nowhere and the ending is just not good. Really annoys me to see a good movie end so badly. Worth watching for Harvey Keitel, but I totally hated the character Toni Collete is playing, she is without mercy and an utter snob. Ironic that she claims to be a Democrat in the movie. The Director should have delivered a better ending. Can't believe that's it.

Oooooh ooooh ooooh Madame

[Horst_In_Translation · 6/10 · 9 December 2017]

"Madame" is a French English/French/Spanish-language film from this year (2017), so a really recent release and the newest work by French writer and director Amanda Sthers. The cast includes Oscar nominees Keitel and Collette (playing a married couple), but the title character is played by Almodovar regular Rossy de Palma. She is the good girl in here, a loyal housekeeper looking for and potentially finding love way outside her range of income as you may want to say so. de Palma was an interesting choice for the character and she pulled it off nicely, even if I always had the impression that villain/antagonist roles could be more suited to her. And as they obviously did not want to waste an actress like Collette (playing the exact opposite to de Palma), she got her slightly baity role and character transformation too, even if I was not really convinced by the latter. It was not Collette's fault, but really the way her character was written that left me underwhelmed at times, especially in the second half. The second half was generally weaker I would say. The first half was quite good and the only thing not working too well was maybe the fact that she really did not want her to be with the rich Irish guy. But you can explain that too with how she would not want a simple woman happier than her, that she was afraid her scam could come to light or that she just despises the low class to some extent, although that may not be true as there are brief moments in which she acts to de Palma's character like a friend.

The music during these 90 minutes is fun too and that start with the title song very early on already. Plus Asereje is just so damn catchy. As for the ending, I am not too sure. They wanted the realistic route instead of the feel-good happy ending route, but did it really feel realistic. I am not sure what it was with the family's son apparently suddenly having a romantic interest in RdP's character? Did he? It seemed this way. Or was it just intended to make us wonder why we accept Keitel's affair with old man young woman and not the other way around? Well it was because we saw Keitel's character wooing her early on, but afterward we just don't see the same with the other too, even if they apparently like each other. In any case, this modern take with some Cinderella story moments was a solid watch that included some moments that may make you laugh out loud. Greatness perhaps not achieved, but thanks to the actors, this one's certainly worth seeing for most of the characters and Joséphine de La Baume may be comfortably among the most stunning actresses I've seen all year. Go check it out if it plays near you.

So good... until the end.

[debhaas · 7/10 · 15 June 2021]

Thoroughly enjoyed most of this movie but found the ending too abrupt. I am fine with it not being the traditional "happy ending" of most films. But it felt like the story was unfinished. Or maybe it felt that way because I was invested in Maria and wanted to know what happened next.

This one's about the actors

[killercharm · 6/10 · 29 December 2021]

An ending almost too heartbreaking for a character almost too sweet. A maid is forced to play-act as a rich socialite for her boss at her boss's dinner party. While dining she wins the heart of one of the attendees. Beautifully cast and played.

Variations of servitude and dreams

[gradyharp · 5/10 · 6 June 2018]

In this almost one-woman show Amanda Sthers wrote the story, the screenplay, the adaptation (with Matthew Robbins), and directed this biting farce about wealth and values and prejudices and love etc. Largely due to a fine cast of actors this slight film works though it does wander a bit and leaves some plot lines unfinished.

Adding a little spice to a waning marriage, Anne and Bob (Toni Collette and Harvey Keitel), a wealthy and well-connected American couple, move into a manor house in romantic Paris. While preparing a particularly luxurious dinner for sophisticated international friends, our hostess Anne discovers there are thirteen guests. Panic-stricken, Anne insists her loyal maid Maria (Almodovar favorite actress Rossy de Palma) disguise herself as a mysterious Spanish noble woman to even out the numbers. But a little too much wine, and some playful chat, lead Maria to accidentally endear herself to a dandy British art broker (Michael Smiley). Their budding romance will have Anne chasing her maid around Paris and finally plotting to destroy this most unexpected and joyous love affair. The subplot of art dealing is left unresolved as is the final resolution of Maria hopes for lasting love.

Toni Collette is, as usual, a pleasure to watch - all innuendoes and snappy dialog and looks that melt other characters. Rossy de Palma is terrific and the remainder of the cast lives up to the very slight story demands that never quite get off the ground (or finishes).

Terrible ending

[heulitt-14216 · 13 July 2021]

All I can say is the movie left you with your mouth open in total disbelief. I have never felt as robbed, and disappointed as I was at end of "Madame" it even managed to make me dislike one of my favorite actors # Toni Collette!

THE ENDING SUCKED !!!

A sweet,pleasant movie for a summer open cinema..

[Bibiana7 · 6/10 · 5 September 2018]

Not really a great movie,like for an oscar or something...but it was a nice,sweet and relaxed one.I had great time watching it.Exactly what i needed after a long day.. It was more funny at the first half,for sure...and i am pretty sure most of people wanted a more happy ending,but...hey,why every romantic movie should be ending with a great romance?It was more realistic that way...no? Not regret of watching it..

Starts well but then disappoints

[Frame-By-Frame · 4/10 · 29 April 2018]

The premise of this movie appealed to me and as usual the trailer drew me in. The cinematography was superb and most of the acting spot on. So what was the problem? In my opinion this was not a good movie. Initially I put this down to the very unsatisfactory ending. It's as if the writer couldn't decide how to end it. Had a few ideas and picked the worse one. However, retrospectively I can see a small justification for that ending and I now think the real reason I didn't like the movie generally was because it just wasn't funny enough to warrant being a comedy. Neither was it interesting enough to be a good drama. Not one laugh out loud during the entire 91 minutes, just a few subdued smiles. My rating 4.5/10 Not recommended

it happens everywhere...

[palomaserranoyolivo · 8/10 · 16 June 2018]

I Truly loved this movie, it was just what it was, entertainment and in Mexico I did hear people laughing a lot...As a Mexican with lots of foreign friends, I could see the maid being herself and natural and not trying to fit or change her accent, not understanding when people jajaja or jojojo.. Tony Collete being the snob boss, that was once a simple golf teacher that got lucky and had it harder to climb the ladder and be accepted? is now jealous to see that her maid being herself, doesn't have it difficult to be liked and be loved... we can see this on the everyday life... be yourself and be accepted and people will hate you and be envious...you can have everything in life, even a house in Paris and a super toned body but you just don't inspire love...

But as the movie said... "people" want happy endings or at least closure or explanations... and even if they didn't stay together, why not saying what she told David?

She clearly didn't say she was the maid, I don't think he would have cared... she probably said she was a prostitute?

It teaches another lesson... don't treat servants like they don't exist, be aware and nice to everyone next to you... I think he didn't even see her in the last scene... and she lost all of her confidence by not saying something...

Ahhh so good but left me a bit sad and disappointed...

Intelligent

[sergelamarche · 7/10 · 7 December 2022]

The dinner goes well but not as planned. The maid being too popular.

However, the story is not all that clear cut and some things are kept from the viewers. Important things that are supposed to explain certain decisions.

It is a story of the rich and not so that can be easily jealous of the poor working for them. It is madame with a frustrated love and another frustrated love. It is people getting snobbed because snob and snobisme spreading. People wanting to be more, more successful, more rich and keep it this way because they are of that world.

The final story is not actually seen on the screen. We have to play it out in our heads and there might be a few ways to explain it depending on the point of view.

Yawn

[grasswhisperer · 1/10 · 8 August 2020]

They say this is a comedy but there is nothing amusing about it. It's boring and nothing more. I had such hopes. Just don't waste your time.