The Chambermaid (Spanish: La camarista) is a 2018 Mexican drama film directed by Lila Avilés. It was selected as the Mexican entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 92nd Academy Awards, but it was not nominated.[3][4] Working at an upscale Mexican hotel, a maid seeks to find her place in the world.[5]
| The Chambermaid | |
|---|---|
 Film poster | |
| Directed by | Lila Avilés |
| Starring | Gabriela Cartol |
Release date |
|
Running time | 102 minutes |
| Country | Mexico |
| Language | Spanish |
| Box office | $165,193[1][2] |
Plot
editEve is a reserved young woman working as a maid in an upscale hotel in Mexico City. Her boss tells her that because of her good work she might soon be eligible for a promotion, cleaning one of the more exclusive floors.
One of her male co-workers asks her to look on a guest who requested a woman specifically. The guest turns out to be an overwhelmed mother who asks Eve to watch her baby while she showers. Eve begins helping the woman once a day, reluctantly growing closer to both the guest and her baby. The guest is from Argentina and at one point suggests Eve to move back with her, however returning one day Eve discovers that the woman has abruptly left.
Eve takes GED classes offered by the hotel. Initially shy, she befriends one of her classmates, Minitoy, who encourages her to open up and have fun. Eve begins to depend on Minitoy to help her. Eve's teacher gives her a copy of Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach and she begins reading for pleasure for the first time.
A window cleaner keeps making advances towards Eve but she repeatedly ignores him. After opening up to others, she decides to seduce him one day. While she is inside cleaning a room and he is outside cleaning a window, she strips down and masturbates in front of him.
Things begin to go wrong for Eve. The GED class is shut down. The window cleaner ignores her. She finally receives news that a red dress left behind by a guest is finally hers, but when she goes to collect it, she learns that Minitoy has received the promotion she longed for.
Eve goes to the 42nd floor, the site of Minotoy's promotion, and examines the private suite. Then she leaves the hotel with her luggage, hinting that she has quit.
Cast
edit- Gabriela Cartol as Eve
- Agustina Quinci as Romina
- Teresa Sánchez as Minitoy
Reception
editThe Chambermaid has an approval rating of 99% on review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, based on 70 reviews, and an average rating of 6.6/10. The website's critical consensus states: "The Chambermaid uses one woman's experiences to take audiences inside a life -- and a culture -- that's as bracingly unique as it is hauntingly relatable".[6] On Metacritic, The Chambermaid holds an 81/100 average on 12 reviews, which indicates 'Universal Acclaim'.[7]
Awards
edit| Year | Award | Category | Recipient(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Platino Awards | Platino Award for Best First Feature Film | Lila Aviles | Won | [8] |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "The Chambermaid (2019)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 8 November 2019.
- ^ "The Chambermaid (2019)". The Numbers. Retrieved 8 November 2019.
- ^ ""The Chambermaid" to represent Mexico at the Oscars". El Universal. 12 September 2019. Archived from the original on 19 January 2023. Retrieved 12 September 2019.
- ^ Hecht, John (12 September 2019). "Oscars: Mexico Selects 'The Chambermaid' for International Feature Category". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 12 September 2019.
- ^ Jones, Oliver (22 June 2019). "Gabriela Cartol Brings 'The Chambermaid' to Life With Bristling Sensitivity and Dormant Rage". The New York Observer. Retrieved 12 September 2019.
- ^ https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_chambermaid
- ^ The Chambermaid, retrieved 11 February 2023
- ^ "Premios Platino Xcaret 2020: "Dolor y gloria" y "La casa de papel", las grandes triunfadoras" [Xcaret 2020 Platino Awards: "Pain and Glory" and "La casa de papel", the big winners] (in Spanish). 29 June 2020. Retrieved 11 February 2023.