Review of The Housemaid (2010) by Lotr23 . — 03 Mar 2011

A very good movie. The story is strong and held my interest thru-out. The denouement kept slipping further and further away. When I thought the film had reached its end; another scene would open up. The ending was more than a little bit odd.

This is a very good looking movie. There are bright scenes, and moody nite-time scenes full of shadows. Many unusual camera angles are used. The sets are impressive; helping to set the tone of this enterprise. Most scenes take place in the home of a super-wealthy family. These people live well. The husband heads a household of all women. He seemingly controls everything, on the surface. The women are scheming in their subservient roles. They are all just trying to get over, as best they can.

This movie is a kind of up-stairs, down-stairs type of story. The wealthy are not openly cruel. But, they intend to get what they want; like they always do. The movie could be seen as a commentary upon the intersection of the lives of the super-haves vs the have nots.

All of the actors were very good, including the one child. A few comments: the super-pregnant wife, Hae Ra (Seo Woo), is stunningly beautiful. She can act a little. The housemaid/nanny, Eun-yi (Jeon Do-yeon) is no slouch either. She is a multi-faceted character here. This woman can act.

The few sex scenes are tastefully shot. When the maid and her boss get together; the camera goes in very very close. It is hard to tell whose body is whose; and which part of those bodies is on screen. This choice seemed a bit odd; and strangely, not very erotic.

And so, the story unfolds. We know once the husband and maid start coming together; this is not going to end well. And ... it does not. The trip is entertaining.