**1/2 – I put this 2009 Chilean-made film on my queue because it was recommended by the rather attractive young woman who worked at the National Council of Culture and Arts in Santiago when I was there last month. It is supposed to be a ‘comedy-drama’ about a forty-something maid who has worked for one family for 23 years but is afraid of losing her position after some health issues force the matriarch to hire a series of new helpers. The main character then perpetrates a series of cruel psychological games on the new employees including forcing an old lady to climb up the side of building, continually locking people out of the house, and attempting to drown a kitten in a pool. The clearly psychotic housekeeper finally falls seriously ill and capitulates to the final helper the family hires, eventually becoming friends with her and turning her sad, dreary life around. I guess it’s kind of a nice story and all, but it sure is boring. At least 30 of this movie’s 95 minutes are made up of showing the title character do maid-type chores; cleaning the bathroom, folding laundry, washing dishes, etc. Believe it or not, that doesn’t make for a particularly riveting viewing experience. It is kind of an ugly film as well, seeing as it is pretty low budget. The film is grainy, the camerawork is shaky and the lighting isn’t very good. It was also supposed to be part comedy, and I guess it had some kind of funny parts, but certainly wasn’t a laugh riot. Maybe it’s a cultural thing. I don’t know.
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