Directed By: Paul Feig
Written By: Rebecca Sonnenshine
Based of the Book by: Freida McFadden
Cinematography: John Schwartzman
Editor: Brent White
Cast: Sydney Sweeney, Amanda Seyfried, Brandon Sklenar, Elizabeth Perkins, Michele Morrone, Sarah Cooper, Ellen Tamaki, Megan Ferguson
Millie a struggling young woman becomes live-in maid for a wealthy couple Nina and Andrew. She enters a mansion of secrets, manipulation, and escalating psychological games that pull her into a dangerous relationship dynamic.
This is based on the best seller and directed by Paul Feig, who used to be more of a noted comedic director, and still brings humor usually to most of his films whereas here this is part of his journeyman process of films, such as A SIMPLE FAVOR Which was a muster mystery with humor and pretty much a domestic fantasy.
This film is more of a domestic drama/thriller that seems to be made to appeal more for women, but particularly middle class. Women who are probably housewives. This seems aimed at them the only time the film seems maybe aimed a little bit. Maybe for the husbands is in a sex scene within the film that offers nudity by star Sydney Sweeney, but it still played more romantic and a bit risqué as a fantasy for the housewives.
First and foremost, I must say, even though Sydney Sweeney is the star Amanda Seyfried walks away with the film she gives the strongest performance which at times could be camping, but it’s strangely fits in with the film. It makes her all the more believable at first you might hate her, but she is what makes the material come alive and truly is the films anchor.
That would also feels like this is Amanda Seyfried handing the torch down to Miss Sweeney as to play the young hot genu whereas Amanda Seyfried is now in the era of playing middle aged or women considered older and more grown-up she’s matured though she’s still a dynamite actress though no one is we’re not many are probably going to feature her as the young beautiful and uninformed
Trying not to spoil this film as it has many twist and turns that are actually worth it even if they are a bit ridiculous I will say each half of the film works for different reasons. The first half is a built-up definitely strong and works and makes you believe one thing. The second part is where the film gets a little bit more ridiculous but is stronger and gives you a different point of view than what we seen and heard in the first half of the movie it kind of pulls the rug out from under you.
One of the sore spots of the film is actually Sydney Sweeney, who does what she’s required here and definitely is a sex symbol throughout the film, though it feels like she could’ve been stronger as where the film takes her. It works, though she doesn’t inhabit it as well as in the first half of the film.
Which also introduces a strength thing when it comes to Sydney Sweeney‘s acting and her career
Sydney Sweeney tries proving she can act many times indifferent more independent productions, such as AMERICANA, CHRISTY even REALITY which was made for HBO even EDEN, which was directed by Ron Howard, where she was around such noted actors, as Jude law and while the critics might praise it, unfortunately most audiences don’t go to see these films
So that forces her to maybe star in mainstream films that exploited her assets more, but proved to be hits like in films like anyone but you this film the housemaid so of course she’s going to more embrace these types of films as these are proving to be her bread and butter
And that is what she’s embracing by making more of those types of films, which is why then she gets endorsements with more sexually changed ads and even starting her own skimpy clothing company using sex and lust to sell so that she has seen is having no integrity and selling out rather than when she tries to show integrity. No one is watching they claim because they don’t want to support her but yet they all see the other ads and those tend to be quite successful. So she’s damned if she does and damned if she doesn’t. So obviously she’s gonna go with what works and keeps paying her bills.
She’s all right this isn’t obviously her best performance, but it plays more into her wheelhouse. At least the types of films that she’s most commonly gonna find herself casting or choose to be in. Though especially in flash vaccines involving her is where she might be at her weakest.
Whereas Brandon Sklenar, who plays the husband in the film, he does just fine stoic at times scary at others and even being the dreamboat, but he also comes across at times so stiffing like a Boy Scout that and including his looks, he just comes across as the type of actor you commonly see on soap operas that seems to be his range good guy one minute, but can quickly change but pretty much always the industry standard and between the two actresses he ends up being an anchor that tries to ground the film and that maybe should let up and let the film be a little bit more crazy.
Though when you factor in Elizabeth Perkins in a supporting an all two brief role, she almost walks away with the film herself. One wishes there was a movie with her and Amanda Seyfried starring in it as these characters are in it together where they can just go full blast.
Director Paul Feig like Sydney Sweeney finds himself kind of in the middle whereas the comedies he used to make, but then stopped making money in studio stopped making those films so he changed up his style and found films that work for him where he can go from a thriller that is a bit more comedic to one that is more icy and dramatic and still never skip a beat. Either way everybody in this film in their careers will be fine afterwards. As this film was a surprise hit.
It hits the right spot is most of the other characters are dislikable and bitchy for no other reason that the script wants them to be so that the film becomes a little closed off and only shines a light on the main three characters overall.
If you’re looking for a thriller, that thinks it’s smarter than it is, but at least we’ll keep you entertained throughout no matter how implausible it might be at times and feels like a guilty pleasure by the end then this is the film for you. As this is pretty much a crowd pleaser. They were a bit too long.
Grade: C
