284. Madame; movie review

MADAME
Cert 15
89 mins
BBFC advice: Contains strong language, nudity

Does any actor on the planet possess a CV more varied than Toni Collette?
During the last week alone I have seen her as an overbearing socialite in Madame and as a possessed mother in Hereditary.
And she hasn't aged. Indeed, she looks younger than she did in Muriel's Wedding 25 years ago.
However, I have to report that, despite the best efforts of Collette and Rossy De Palma, Amanda Sthers' Madame doesn't quite click.
Collette plays the younger second wife of a rich businessman (Harvey Keitel) who, unknown to her is in financial trouble.
Much of that might be down to her extravagant lifestyle in a Paris mansion where she employs a team of maids.
But her life is shoved off beam after she asks one of her staff (De Palma) to fill in as a 'guest' at a fancy dinner party.
The maid, who is advised to say nothing, turns out to be the life and soul and entrances a rich Irishman (Michael Smiley).
De Palma and Collette try their damnedest to enliven the poor-girl, rich-girl scenario but, while it has amusing moments, it just isn't as funny as its makers would have been hoping.
There is, however, more than a slice of pathos when juxtaposing the thoughtlessness of the wealthy against the higher morals of the poor.
This becomes more obvious when the maid crosses over and is tempted to abandon all she holds dear.
However, I couldn't help thinking this will be one of the summer's also-rans, failing to poke its nose above the glut of sequels.

Reasons to watch: Big efforts from Toni Collette and Rossy De Palma
Reasons to avoid: Isn't as funny as its makers hope

Laughs: None
Jumps: None
Vomit: None
Nudity: Yes
Overall rating: 5/10

Director quote - Amanda Sthers: "In this particular movie I thought of Rossy De Palma because she asked me for a play 7 years ago and I told her I couldn’t write on command but if I just find something that could fit to her, I would."

The big question - Could a rich man ever fall for a maid?

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