Maid in Manhattan

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer maintains that the overt message of the film 'Maid in Manhattan' is that "love conquers all." The writer points out that in real life, however, cultural differences between people are often complex and difficult to overcome. The writer discusses that as the story has very little substantial content and is really meant only to entertain, instead of looking for the messages it sends purposely, it is helpful to look deeper for messages, such as the casting of the characters, to see how the film portrays ethnicity. The writer claims that ethnicity and culture are treated in the film as though they are not very important in the larger scheme of things. The writer concludes that the message is that the rich treat the poor who serve them as though they were not really human beings.

From the Paper:

"Puerto Ricans are actually migrants, not immigrants. Their island became a protectorate in 1898 when the U. S. won it in the Spanish-American War. As natural citizens, they should have an advantage over immigrants from foreign countries; nevertheless, life in the U. S. has been difficult for them. Puerto Rican migration occurred from 1946-1959. Most of the migrants were jibaros, farm workers, poor and uneducated, who moved into large city slums. Since then, they have been subjected to discrimination, denied employment opportunities, and kept out of nice neighborhoods. The film hints at this when Marissa tells Chris he ought to spend some time in the Projects and get to know the people living in them. She tells him he could then speak knowledgably about low-income housing, and wouldn't have to memorize a speech."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Alleyne, S. (2005). Zoning in on cultural differences. Black Enterprise, 35 (9), 55.
• Koehler, R. (2002). Maid in Manhattan. Variety, 389 (4), 40-41.
• Noh, D. (2003). Maid in Manhattan. Film Journal International, 106 (1), 43-44.
• Puerto Rican Americans web site: www.everyculture.com/multi/Pa-Sp/Puerto-Rican-Americans.html).
• Rozen, L. and Gliatto, T. (2002). Screen (Picks & Pans). People Weekly, 58 (26), 35-36.

More papers on Maid in Manhattan:

• Book Review # 140656 : "Reviewing "Maid In The Market"
• Book Review # 140654 : "Maid In The Market Place -Women's Paid Domestic Labour"
• Term Paper # 137064 : "Manhattan, New York"

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