Não foi há muito tempo que Salma Hayek juntou-se à mesa num jantar de elites a interpretar uma humilde trabalhadora forçada a conviver com tudo o que despreza - Beatriz at Dinner (2017). O segundo filme da realizadora e argumentista francesa Amanda Sthers tem uma narrativa semelhante, desta vez com a atriz Rossy de Palma na situação caricata. Mas Madame não se fica por aqui, transferindo a história da sala de jantar para o dia-a-dia das personagens, onde os traços do filme Cinderella (1950) são percetíveis.Um casal americano a residir em Paris, Anne (Toni Collette) e Bob (Harvey Keitel), está com dificuldades financeiras e para continuar com o seu estilo de vida dispendioso pretende vender um quadro importante de Caravaggio. Para assegurar a transferência planeiam um luxuoso jantar com convidados internacionais. A chegada inesperada do filho de Bob (Tom Hughes), que volta a casa para lidar com um bloqueio criativo, faz com que o número de pessoas à mesa seja um supersticioso 13.Para remediar a situação, Anne ordena que Maria (de Palma), a sua empregada doméstica, entre na celebração, mas deve passar despercebida a todo o custo e não revelar a sua relação com os anfitriões. Sentada ao lado de David (Michael Smiley), um negociador de arte, a sua autenticidade e humor (com o auxílio de um bom vinho) começam a seduzi-lo aos poucos. Ao perceber o interesse de David, Maria deixa-se enamorar e continua o disfarce que usou na festa, para desgraça de Anne, que fica frustrada de ciúmes com a relação.No foco do enredo está o conflito entre Maria e Anne. Com um espírito autêntico, Maria deseja simplesmente ser amada por quem é, em vez de pelo que faz. De Palma oferece à personagem uma simpatia incontornável, e a sua humildade trespassa do ecrã até ao nosso sorriso. Em contraposição temos Anne, que vive uma relação amorosa quebrada e não suporta a ideia de ver alguém de classe inferior sentir-se enamorada quando ela está vazia por dentro. Com um elenco secundário prestável, é esta relação a força motriz que consegue ser afetiva, ainda que seja explorada de maneira superficial.A decorar a narrativa está uma produção detalhada e a vivacidade dos interiores que em conjunto com a bela cidade de Paris afirmam o romance de Madame. Sthers infiltra no diálogo pequenas expressões e referências relacionadas com a cultura francesa, expressando carinho pela sua nação. O ritmo é bem estabelecido e o começo é promissor, mas o segundo ato acaba por perder algum vigor. Mantém a sua graça por mérito das atuações, mas além do tabu do romance interclasses e do casal rico que está tão preocupado em manter as aparências que deixa de conseguir aproveitar a relação, tematicamente não se estende nem parece ter algo a acrescentar à discussão.Com um clímax dessincronizado com o resto do filme, Madame acaba por proporcionar entretenimento leve com momentos agridoces. Capta o essencial para agradar aos fãs de comédias românticas, mesmo que falhe em atinjir uma sátira social perspicaz.6/10

It is a very pleasant light satire on those people having a stick up their ass and feeling superior to other groups of society. Quite enjoyable if you have nothing else to do. 6 out of 10 points.

MAIDEN VOYAGEThe class chasm movie never gets old, but neither does it ever grow young.Madame has all the chess players in place for a juicy moral tale, bringing a refreshing outsider into a snooty rich circle. As the awkward but loveable maid forced into a stuffy dinner charade, Rossy De Palma warms her nerves with wine, and inadvertently becomes the belle of the ball. The lie grows out of hand, and we have plot.As the manipulative hostess to the jet set, Toni Collette is insufferably fantastic in her queen bitch role, the perfect villain to our cheery servant, but this really is De Palma's movie from the get go. The escalating conflict is quite delicious if not by the numbers predictable, though in a surprising twist - spoiler alert: the ending will now be discussed - not really resolved. The conclusion appears ambiguous, or at least open to multiple deductions (I would argue De Rossa's subtle smirk says it all). This has caused a bit of a fire storm amongst viewers demanding a neat and tidy resolution. Hoo and rah.- hipCRANK

Madame is a film full of romance, wit and quirk. This tale about two unlikely people who become lovers will you feeling inspired and wanting more. Rossy de Palma shows us the true meaning behind staying true to yourself no matter the circumstance and Amanda Sthers does an incredible job of directing this empowering film. I highly recommend this movie to anyone looking for a good romantic comedy to watch!

The most annoying and aggravating thing that ever happens to anyone is when there's a missing guest at a dinner party. Madame knows this all too well, as Anne, a wealthy, eccentric housewife, decides to pose her maid, Maria, as the missing guest, stingingly micromanaging her every movement and word. At the party, Maria meets David, an art seller, and begins a relationship with her, which infuriates Anne. The most interesting relationship dynamic isn't between David and Maria, but rather Anne and Maria, as Maria attempts to balance being happy and being a good maid, and Anne is livid by Maria finding happiness by going against her instructions, and jealous people actually like Maria. The film features a lot of tableaus of various aspects of the characters' lives, and often certain points receive no closure. But because the film attempts to mimic real life with a slice-of-life approach, this is appropriate, because not everything in real life receives closure. A lot of the humor and entertainment is more subtle than obvious, but it still is an enjoyable film that people shouldn't pass up on.

De Palma is a surprise.

I enjoyed Rossy De Palma's performance throughout and wanted to like the movie more than just three stars. I couldn't help think that the title of the film should have been a play on words and there could have been a metamorphosis of both women. Instead I found myself hating Collettes character more and more and those of the other shallow pretentious lot as the movie progressed and the laughs dwindled as it seemed to lose direction.

Every once in a while, a movie will come along that doesn't wow audiences with camera wizardry or technical mastery, but with heart. In 2017, this feature was Amanda Sthers' Madame. Starring Rossy de Palma as Maria, a maid who is asked by her employer Anne (portrayed as stunningly-wretched yet vulnerable by Toni Collette) to take part of an important dinner as a fellow aristocrat and accidentally wins the affection of one of the guests David (in perhaps Michael Smiley's most charming role to date). What ensues is a mix of treacherous meddling and serendipitous romance, with each of the film's numerous important characters revealing different sides of themselves when interacting with different characters. It could have been a muddled disaster with too many threads to tie neatly together by the film's end, but Sthers ensures that every subtle gesture or comment made in passing either deepens the characters or drives the plot closer to the (unexpected yet perhaps perfect) conclusion of this tale of humanity attempting to control itself.

Set in France, Madame tells the story of a maid named Maria, played by actress Rossy de Palma, being asked to fill in at a dinner party because 13 is an unlucky number. As this random coincidence turns into a night of lies, Maria begins to live these lies as she finds love in David Morgan, played by actor Michael Smiley. Over the course of the film, we begin to see Maria come into her own as a woman and not just a maid in a Cinderella-esque moment. As she gains confidence and learns her worth, the audience is completely on her side and wants her to keep growing and growing. In the end, audience members will be pleased at how Maria has blossomed into a new woman for the better. Seeing her gain this confidence inspires the audience to get out and live their best life and hope to come out on the other side as well as Maria does. It's a really good film that many people are going to connect to and share a beautiful moment together.

The beautiful Parisian scenery was alluring and the well-decorated dinner party scene fully immersed me in this Cinderella-esque drama comedy. Moreover, Madame's hilariously awkward moments brought these chic sets to life as the aristocrats' artificiality clashed with Maria's (Rossy de Palma) candid personality throughout the film. Maria's innocent and honest character is brilliantly juxtaposed with Anne's (Toni Collette) maliciousness and immorality. I admire the opposing colors of Maria and Anne's clothing because they visually represented the stark differences between the leading ladies. I cheered Maria on as she gradually gained the courage to stand up against Anne's antagonizing remarks. I would watch this again in a heartbeat.

Amanda Sthers's ability as filmmaker is consolidated with this film. Set in paris, the young filmmaker directed experienced actors like Harvey Keitel and Toni Collette with the mastery of an experienced director. Romantic comedies are a classic genre, and in this film is easy to transport to the story and enjoy the comedy, the drama, and the everyday life of a maid who falls in love with a man who differs from her social class. After you watch this film you will want to follow more of Sthers's movies in the future.

Definitely not for everyone, but way better than I was expecting...indie drama all the way and I thought it was going to be a cornball comedy.

What a sad ending...

Very well written movie with witty dialogues. Starts off as a light movie but ends up with a lot more profundity. It is not about love but about class struggle. It's hard to believe that is Rossy De Palma's first ever starring role in her whole career. She deserves a lot more of those! I also really enjoyed both french songs opening and ending the movie.

A magical and very funny movie.I had a lovely moment.