
Why I will see Two Weeks Notice and not Maid in Manhattan
by Kerri Skarfe, Otherworldly Staff Writer
December 14, 2002 + Boston, MA
I know I'm a unique person with unique tastes, to say the least. But when I saw my choices of the two chick flicks coming out during the holiday season (without warning, due to my lack of an EW Holiday Movie Preview!), the choice of which to see was easy. See why below:
The Premises (I Don't Dare Use the Word "Plot"):
Two Weeks Notice: An overworked and underappreciated female counsel quits on her handsome, clueless millionaire CEO boss. The CEO discovers that not only can he not live without his counsel, but he also loves her. Will it be too late to get her back?
Maid In Manhattan: A case of mis-assumed identity when a handsome, rich man catches a maid trying on a rich woman's clothes in the hotel she works at. Can love overcome their different social backgrounds?
A Glimpse Into My Brain: I'll take the "Oh my God, but I just realized how much I love you!" storyline over "I love you, but what will my parents think?" any day. I got tired of the "other side of the tracks" thing after that movie with Molly Ringwald and Andrew McCarthy.
The Leading Ladies (Surprised I'm Not Starting With the Men?):
Two Weeks Notice: Sandra Bullock portrays a brilliant, quirky lawyer.
Maid in Manhattan: Jennifer Lopez portrays a maid.
A Glimpse Into My Brain: Sandra Bullock is definitely more believable. And my decision has nothing to do with her not being the one engaged to Ben Affleck.
The Leading Men:
Two Weeks Notice: Hugh Grant plays a handsome, rich, clueless CEO.
Maid in Manhattan: Ralph Fiennes plays a handsome, rich man who stays in a hotel.
A Glimpse Into My Brain: We've seen Hugh Grant play this role before (I can't think of when, but I'm sure he has), and he was perfect at it. I fully admit that I missed the Ralph Fiennes boatÉI still haven't seen The English Patient. But despite the Leading Lady issue, how smart are you if you mistake a maid for someone in your social class?
The Writers Square Off:
Two Weeks Notice: Written by Marc Lawrence. He's also known for such work as Miss Congeniality and Forces of Nature. HmmÉcoincidence?
Maid in Manhattan: Written by Kevin Wade. He's also known for such work as Meet Joe Black and Working Girl.
A Glimpse Into My Brain: This category is a wash, mostly due to me not having seen Miss Congeniality, though I hear I would like it. The yawn of Meet Joe Black brings down the classic Working Girl, but not too far for it still wins over Forces of Nature since I didn't like who Ben Affleck ended up with at the end.
Huh. Where have I heard that before?
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