Live-In Maid

2004

1h 27m

Drama

List

100%

Tomatometer

33 Reviews

75%

Audience Score

1,000+ Ratings

During the Argentine economic crisis of the early 2000s, Beba (Norma Aleandro), who was once wealthy, does not have enough money to pay her live-in maid, Dora (Norma Argentina). Without her husband's financial support, Beba sells cosmetics door-to-door and searches desperately for a way to pay her debts. But when Dora moves out of the apartment to live with her boyfriend after decades of service as a maid, Beba learns that friendship is invaluable.

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Critics Consensus

Live-In Maid is an insightful character piece with standout performances and a poignant slice of Argentina life.

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Amy Taubin

Film Comment Magazine

A small triumph the debut feature by Argentine filmmaker Jorge Gaggero depicts the effect of Argentina's economic meltdown on the relationship between a formerly wealthy businesswoman and her servant of 30 years.

Aug 27, 2019

Full Review

J. Robert Parks

Time Out

Rated: 5/5

Nov 18, 2011

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Melissa Anderson

Time Out

Rated: 4/5

Nov 17, 2011

Full Review

Louis Proyect

rec.arts.movies.reviews

Incisive study of class relationships between a pauperized would-be aristocratic woman and the maid who is increasingly ready to break free.

Dec 14, 2007

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Laura Clifford

Reeling Reviews

From the rooms and spaces which house the two women to the slow unraveling of their history together, Live In Maid is a wonder of economic storytelling.

Rated: B+

Oct 14, 2007

Full Review

Frank Swietek

One Guy's Opinion

As a character study it carries a quiet, almost serene dramatic power as well as a strong current of dark humor.

Rated: B+

Sep 24, 2007

Full Review

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Audience Member

Between 2.5 and 3 stars. Atypical relation, Norma Aleandro takes the weigh of this story.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/25/23

Full Review

juli k

I loved this movie. It was so well done, very organic and very engaging. The ending was perfect : ) I won't spoil it by discussing it here, but I think the ending was the best part : ) You know, I don't think this movie could have been made here in the US. It would have lost it's subtlety and become ham handed and preachy. If you want a film that has no Hollywood glitz, just great, understated acting, with natural dialogue and believable, sympathetic characters, watch this one!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Me fascina esta película. Un retrato sumamente perfecto y conmovedor de las diferencias de clase en Argentina y de la inevitable intimidad emocional que resulta entre el opresor y el oprimido.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/13/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Interesting to see the change in play...

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/17/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Good story about class and relationship

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/22/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Poignant and masterful, Live-In Maid is an involving unorthodox presentation of the averse relationship, more appropriately, friendship, of an imperious bourgeois and a taciturn domestic attendant. Emotionally complex and ambiguous, Live-In Maid is transcendental of social class, precisely aware of the situation and disposition of the bourgeoisie in the times of economic recession and profoundly acquainted with the vicissitudes and realities of life. Emphatic.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/25/23

Full Review

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Jorge Gaggero

Director

Norma Aleandro

Beba

Norma Argentina

Dora

Marcos Mundstock

Victor

Raul Panguinao

Miguel

Susana Lanteri

Meme

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Synopsis

During the Argentine economic crisis of the early 2000s, Beba (Norma Aleandro), who was once wealthy, does not have enough money to pay her live-in maid, Dora (Norma Argentina). Without her husband's financial support, Beba sells cosmetics door-to-door and searches desperately for a way to pay her debts. But when Dora moves out of the apartment to live with her boyfriend after decades of service as a maid, Beba learns that friendship is invaluable.

Director: Jorge Gaggero
Producer: Verónica Cura, Antón Reixa, Diego Mas Trelles
Screenwriter: Jorge Gaggero
Production Co: aquafilms
Genre: Drama
Original Language: Spanish
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 20, 2017
Runtime: 1h 27m