Maid in Manhattan (2002) directed by Wayne Wang, it is about Marissa Ventura (Jennifer Lopez) whom is a single Latina mother that was born and raised in New York City, working in hopes of obtaining a position in management. She works as a maid in a luxurious hotel, she is labeled because she is Latina. Latinas are known to obtain positions as housekeepers which is considered a low skilled profession. Latina women are stereotyped as not being able to excel in their positions and just settle. The film depicts the Latinx community as they are depicted in reality. Since Marissa is contemplating on applying for the position she is called fancy by her co-workers. It is presumed that they will only obtain a job in housekeeping or being a nanny for the privileged.
While working as a maid in an upscale Beresford Hotel, Marissa’s friend submits an application on her behalf for a management without her consent. She shortly learns about this when she is called to the office and is considered for the position. Her co-worker told Marissa “these are the golden years we gotta prove our mothers wrong” Maid in Manhattan (2002). The film depicts hard working women that are striving for a better life. This film relates to the film Real Women have Curves (2002) as Carmen (Lupe Ontiveros) and her daughters are working in the factory and are striving for the American Dream. The film portrayed the maids as they are depicted in reality.
Despite the fact that she has dreams in becoming a manager this dream is destroyed when she meets the senatorial candidate Chris Marshal. Marissa portrayed herself as Caroline and went on a lunch date which got here fired. When Chris could not locate Marissa and was describing her to Caroline he assumed Marissa was Mediterranean with a young boy. He was stereotyping Marissa based on her looks. Caroline also stereotyped Marissa by calling her Maria because of her complexion and her Latinx appearance.
When Marissa lost her job her mother Veronica told her “keep dreaming dreams that will never happen” Maid in Manahattan (2002). Her mother assumed that Marissa was just a good cleaning lady. This is very similar to Real Women Have Curves (2002) as Carmen assumed that Ana (America Ferrera) was going to be subjected to the same life that she and her daughter had. “This pattern is most apparent in RWHC when Carmen adamantly rejects Ana’s desires because she is a woman and her role is to serve her family while her father, grandfather, and Mr. Guzman all encourage her to pursue higher education (Baez, 123).” They didn’t believe in excelling in life, they were complacent with having a simple job. Both of these films depict a message that if they can work together and inspire each other they can prosper.
Reference
Goldsmith-Thomas, Elaine, Deborah Schindler, Paul Schiff, Kevin Wade, Wayne Wang, Jennifer Lopez, Ralph Fiennes, Natasha Richardson, Stanley Tucci, Tyler Posey, Frances Conroy, Chris Eigeman, Amy Sedaris, Bob Hoskins, Karl W. Lindenlaub, Craig McKay, Alan Silvestri, Albert Wolsky, and Jane Musky. Maid in Manhattan. Culver City, Calif: Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment, 2003.
LaVoo, George, Effie T. Brown, Josefina López, Patricia Cardoso, America Ferrera, Lupe Ontiveros, Ingrid Oliu, George Lopez, Brian Sites, Jim Denault, Sloane Klevin, Heitor Pereira, and Brigitte Broch. Real Women Have Curves. United States: HBO Video, 2003.
Baez, Jillian M. Towards a Latinidad Feminista: The Multiplicities of Latinidad and Feminism in Contemporary Cinema. Popular Communications. (2007):109-128. Web.
First of all, the attached picture was very attractive to me. An innocent girl was smiling on a dressed up couple in the back ground. I read that in the film, her mother Veronica told her “keep dreaming dreams that will never happen”. I was wondering the mother Veronica, in her generation; she had a good time to dream about her future? Or she was not allowed to dream about her future. As mother Carmen in Real Women Have Curves (2002) was mentioned, both mother need to see the better goal to look with their daughter without following their traditions.
I find this film to be a negative portrayal of Latinas not because the protagonist is a maid, after all, there is nothing wrong with working and making an honest living. What I find wrong is how Latinas are often typecasted as maids constantly in American films. Why don’t filmmakers place white women in these roles or why is the rich male figure, not Latino. It bothers me that Jennifer Lopez would take such a stereotypical role that sets women back a few decades, by putting her in a damsel in distress situation, waiting for a man to rescue her from a life of poverty. Added to this script has been done over and over again.
I saw this movie years ago and I did enjoy it. I do agree with you that this film depicts the Latinx women who work in the hospitality industry pretty accurately. From the work they do and the relationship they have with their co-workers. You also mentioned Marissa’s mother’s outlook on her daughter’s future. Telling her “to keep dreaming” but sounding doubtful. This depiction is also accurate in some, but not all, Latinx households. Some mothers are not very supportive about plans that might seem “out of reach.”
You did a fantastic job on your blog detailing this film. I absolutely loved maid in manhattan and have watched it a dozen time but I could not help clicking on your links to get some of you insight as well. Marissa kinda reminds m of the young girl in real women have curves and the end could not have been more perfect. Another one of Jennifer Lopez, job well done.