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A service to our youth through you, their parents and grandparents, in His name by His Word MAR22128 Maid in Manhattan (2002), PG-13 Analysis Date: December 13, 2002 CAP Score: 58 CAP Influence Density: 0.77 MinMax: -100 |
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MAID IN MANHATTAN (PG-13) -- A truly marvelous feat of the scriptwriters! Production: Hughes Entertainment, Red Om Films, Revolution Studios, Shoelace Productions Distribution: Columbia Pictures, Sony Pictures Entertainment Director(s): Wayne Wang Producer(s): Richard Baratta, Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas, Benny Medina, Charles Newirth, Paul Schiff, Deborah Schindler Written by/Screenplay: John Hughes (story), Kevin Wade,(screenplay) Cinematography/Camera: Karl Walter Lindenlaub Music: Alan Silvestri Film Editing: Craig McKay Casting: Jonathan Strauss, Todd M. Thaler Production Design: Jane Musky Art Direction: Patricia Woodbridge  Maid in Manhattan is one of those films that could have bee a delightful and warm love story. Actually it was, but sadly it was rather filled with "stuff." It was so well done. Even the young lad who was quite bold in his expressions had his say without being rebellious except for a little desperation toward his mother's insistence to hurry up. A truly marvelous feat of the scriptwriters! Especially since the boy had a large and important part of the story. Indeed, one of the instances of Impudence/Hate comes from his mother to him rather than the typical child to parent in the movies - she lied to him. If it were not for the language and sex this could have been a G. Marisa Ventura (Jennifer Lopez) is a maid at the Beresford Hotel in Manhattan, NYC. She longs to amount to more than her Hispanic class-driven mother said she would ... more than a maid cleaning up after others. Some day Marisa would be management. Some day. At least that is what one of her co-workers thought. In a moment of naughty and almost forced to do so by one of her co-workers, Marisa tried on some expensive clothes in the room of a vain and rich guest, Caroline Sincaire (Natasha Richardson). As would be expected from sneaking, she is caught but not by management. She is caught by Senatorial candidate Christopher Marshall (Ralph Fiennes) who had just met her son, Ty (Tyler Posey), an expert on Richard Nixon (the script did not say Nixon was the one who started the 55 mph speed limit). Indeed, it was Ty's action that brought Christopher and Marisa together. Enamored by what he saw, Marshall turned up the pressure to get to know Marisa - er - Caroline. And Marisa had to keep up the pretense of being Caroline. Now begin the games. Even at the dire forecastings of Marshall's personal aide and doom sayer, Jerry Siegel (Stanley Tucci) . A performance I feel was unfairly buried under all the stars was that of Bob Hoskins as Lionel Bloch. Hoskins played the part of a very wise and patient floor butler. I know all that Hoskins had to say was written by a scriptwriter, but I doubt there was ever a better man to play the mannerisms and expressions of sage advice as Hoskins. I wish I could write as fast as he spoke his parting monologue. This is a Cinderella formula with the glass slipper Marisa falling in love with Prince Christopher, complete with him running after - and catching - "Alice." But not in the true "Cinderella" was the peppering of uses of the three/four letter word vocabulary [Prov. 22:11], the many uses of God's name in vain including with the four letter expletive [Deut. 5:11], nor the man/woman in bed together (intercourse off screen) [Gal. 5:19 ]. Neither in the true "Cinderella" were the homosexual euphemisms, the adultery, the exhibitionism, nor the excessive breast exposure [1Cor. 6:9-10, Rev. 22:15]. I suspect by now you get the "picture." The listing in the findings/Scoring section provides an itemization of these and more presences which kill an otherwise perfectly good motion picture. SCRIPTURAL APPLICATION(S) If needed to focus or fortify, applicable text is underlined or bracketed [ ]. If you wish to have full context available, the Blue Letter Bible is a convenient source. If you use the Blue Letter Bible, a new window will open. Close it to return here or use "Window" in your browser's menu bar to alternate between the CAP page and the Blue Letter Bible page. ***Selected Scriptures of Armour against the influence of the entertainment industry*** As always, it is best to refer to the Findings/Scoring section -- the heart of the CAP analysis model -- for the most complete assessment possible of this movie. |
 Wanton Violence/Crime (W): Impudence/Hate (I)(1): Sex/Homosexuality (S): Drugs/Alcohol (D): Offense to God (O)(2): Murder/Suicide (M)(3): |
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| NOTE: The CAP Analysis Model makes no scoring allowances for trumped-up "messages" to excuse or for manufacturing of justification for aberrant behavior or imagery, or for camouflaging such ignominy with "redeeming" programming. Disguising sinful behavior in a theme plot does not excuse the sinful behavior of either the one who is drawing pleasure or example from the sinful display or the practitioners demonstrating the sinful behavior. This is NOT a movie review service. It is a movie analysis service to parents and grandparents to tell them the truth about movies using the Truth. |
| "There are some in the entertainment industry who maintain that 1) violent programming is harmless because no studies exist that prove a connection between violent entertainment and aggressive behavior in children, and 2) young people know that television, movies, and video games are simply fantasy. Unfortunately, they are wrong on both accounts." And "Viewing violence may lead to real life violence." I applaud these associations for fortifying 1 Cor. 15:33. Read the rest of the story. From our nearly seven years of study, I contend that other aberrant behaviors, attitudes, and expressions can be inserted in place of "violence" in that statement. Our Director - Child Psychology Support, a licensed psychologist and certified school psychologist concurs. For example, "Viewing arrogance against fair authority may lead to your kids defying you in real life." Or "Viewing sex may lead to sex in real life." Likewise and especially with impudence, hate and foul language. I further contend that any positive behavior can be inserted in place of "violence" with the same chance or likelihood of being a behavior template for the observer; of being incorporated into the behavior mechanics and/or coping skills of the observer. In choosing your entertainment, please consider carefully the "rest of the story" and our findings. |
