Saturday 6 November 2021

Maid (2021 Creator Molly Smith Metzler)

She was inspired by Stephanie Land's non-fiction account of her own experiences, and wrote some of the episodes. Margaret Qualley we know from Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, and Fosse/Verdon, didn't realise she was Andie MacDowell's daughter. A ten part series made by Warner Bros TV for Netflix. It's quite gruelling, so when you get the bursts of light, e.g. fellow abused wife Danielle, it's most welcome. Shaded, too - her husband isn't quite the total jerk he could have been painted. Though the minute she finds a lovely studio apartment, he causes her to be kicked out pretty much immediately.

The big problem of her mother comes to a meltdown in episode 7 when she realises her no good husband has gambled her house away and she ends up being committed, putting her daughter into a near catatonic state. Good acting from mother and daughter here.

What of Mr Nice Guy, Raymond Ablack?

I've got to say the daughter Rylea Nevaeh Whittet seems utterly credible and looks like she really is Qualley's daughter - they must have bonded hugely - Qualley is not a mother in real life. See Margaret Qualley interviews this way.. "I had to spend a lot of time with her to make it so that she felt safe and cozy in my arms. And she’s a real angel, so I had a blast doing that." (Elle.) And more here about how the crew joined in to make it all seem like fun for her.

With Nick Robinson (husband Sean), Billy Burke (father), Anika Noni Rose (posh client), Aimee Carrero (Danielle), Tracy Vilar (employer), BJ Harrison (shelter boss, lots of TV Christmas movies!)



It's an emotional, visceral rollercoaster, particularly in scenes between mother and daughter - MacDowell like you've never seen her before. And with its analysis of poverty and bureaucracy and alcoholism it's one of the best long form things produced (by, amongst others, Margot Robbie) this year.

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