Chilean director and co-writer Sebastian Silva creates an elegant
observation of class distinctions between a repressed maid named Raquel
(wonderfully played by Catalina Saavedra) and the upper class Valdez
Chilean family for whom she works. The film begins with the Valdez
family celebrating Raquel's 41st birthday around the dinner table at
their home where Raquel occupies a small room. Rachel suffers from
fainting spells that cause the family to hire an additional maid. The
hiring process does implodes with Rachel going out of her way to scare
off what she sees as competition for her job. But when spry
free-thinker Lucy (Mariana Loyola) takes up the position, she treats
Raquel with a respect that enables Raquel to transform into a happier
person. Here is a profound story of a woman who breaks out of a social
cage that she maintained as much as her perceived masters.
Not Rated. 96 mins. (B+) (Four Stars)
