The Chambermaid

La Camarista (The Chambermaid, 2019) by mexican director Lila Avilés is a film that shows a level of freedom within the confines of a restricted budget that is just mindblowing.

If you read the rest of the reviews around here you will get a sense of the style it's shot: the camera, using beautiful cinematography, is a passive witness to a hotel chambermaid's daily routine. There is no spectacularity, not an earthquake to shatter the main character, she's never accused of stealing stuff... There's no dramatic trigger to turn this story into a powerhouse drama. Instead, Avilés chooses, wisely, to dwell on her star's nuanced but effective performance. Gabriela Cartol's Evelina (the maid in the title) is a shy, dreamy and sometimes annoying woman. A real person instead of a stereotype. We're not here to lament her poverty, but to join her daily conversations, her momentary daydreaming, her spirit breaking apart or becoming stronger.

Avilés is not interested on bringing disaster into her characters' lives. She doesn't want them to unravel, instead we're drawn into this colossal universe of a big city hotel and breaks into its small spaces and corners, revealing beauty in routine.

An overall enjoyable experience for audiences who relish subtlety, La Camarista manages to feel as a refreshing take on a cliché subject.

Which is why I can see many English users saying they think the movie is flat. A very good movie.

A maid in a Mexico City hotel hopes to move up the ladder.

This is a well made, engrossing film about what happens behind the scenes and when you are not in your hotel room. The main character named Eve is a 24 year old single mother who wants to get her GED and get a better paying job in the hotel. There are several interesting shots of her looking very small among the mounds of linen as she cleans rooms, there is an astounding shot of her on the roof as well. She has some interesting and bizarre encounters with guests and co workers. This is no Hollywood fairy tale like Jennifer Lopez in "Maid In Manhattan". This is a realistic view into a snapshot of life not many get to see. Although it is a fictional scripted movie it reminded me of the great documentaries by Frederick Wiseman. I always felt that seeing normal everyday people going about their day are fascinating, and it held my interest the whole time. I hope more people will seek this out, especially if you like your films real and quietly effective that avoids all Hollywood cliches.

An intriguing look into the daily life of a Hispanic housekeeper in a luxury hotel in Mexico City.

The movie offers glimpses into the long, exhausting days of Eve (Gabriela Cartol) as she diligently goes about her work routine. Eve has been assigned to Level 21, but she tries to do extra work to get ahead for the opening on Level 42. She's not only working hard for a spot on the upscale Level 42 but is also in the running for a nice red dress left behind by a former guest. Eve is a very dedicated and hardworking employee.

Interestingly, even though I'm not a big fan of Mexican movies, I recognized a familiar face in the cast: Teresa Sánchez (Minitoy). Over the years, I've watched several modern Mexican films and documentaries, and Sanchez stood out immediately. She played the main role of Maria Garcia in "Dos Estaciones" (2022).

From personal experience as a full-time motel housekeeper in college, I can say that these guests expect an enormous amount from the staff. I really don't care how much you're paying for your room or how 'important" you think you are to the hotel.

If you've ever wanted to step into the shoes-or uniform-and see what it might feel like to clean a high-rise, upscale hotel in Mexico City, then this is the perfect film for you.

The daily life of Eve, a chambermaid at one of the most luxurious hotels in Mexico.

A film about routines, uncertainties, dreams and banalities, which won me over since the beginning.

The action takes place all within the hotel walls, which highlights the feeling of lack of freedom and the bonds that a low class person deals daily in order to survive.

We don't see any members of her family or friends in any scene, we just know the relationships that Eve has through phone calls, conveying the feeling of absence and lack of support from the people around her, even though it is evident that she loves them.

As the main character loses his inhibition and learns to let go, very interesting moments emerge, all of which are essential for the whole narrative. A scene in one of the hotel's rooms, next to a window made me think "wow, I wasn't expecting this!".

I see this film as a form of homage to the invisible people who pass through our lives every day, without being given credit and respect.