MOVIE REVIEW: LIVE-IN MAID (Cama Adentro)
One of Argentina’s most recognized movie stars, Oscar nominee Norma Aleandro, as well as Norma Argentina in her film debut, deliver outstanding performances.

By Ester Molayeme
Posted Tuesday, September 25, 2007

In his first feature drama, Argentinean director Jorge Gaggero, brilliantly brings forth the friendship between a sophisticated older woman, Beba (Norma Aleandro), and her maid, Dora (Norma Argentina).

Gaggero sets the feature in 2001 Buenos Aires, reflecting the time’s economic crises.

Divorced and facing financial hardship, Beba struggles to keep up appearances. Accustomed to a life of excess and luxury, Beba is now forced to pawn her items and to sell beauty products to make ends meet. She has not paid her maid Dora in seven months.

One of Argentina’s most recognized movie stars, Oscar nominee Norma Aleandro, as well as Norma Argentina in her film debut, deliver outstanding performances.

Their unpretentious and effective acting eases us into the symbiotic relationship of these two women from opposite social classes who, for 30 years, interacted on a daily basis.

Circumstances change, but what endures is the characters’ bond. Amidst the formalities of class and duty, Beba and Dora discover how connected they are to each other and how deeply rooted is their friendship.

Gaggero’s script is concise and without superfluous words.
The well paced feature provides just the right balance between drama, satire, and complexity without overbearing sentimentalism. Interspersed silence cleverly links the events leading the characters to the road of self discovery.

In portraying the simplicity and complexity of relationships, Live-In Maid brings to light the universal nature of friendship.

In Spanish with English subtitles