"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.
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.