Movie Profile: THE MAID (1990/1991)
| Attribute | Details |
| Title | The Maid |
| Production Year / Release | 1990 (Filming) / March 1, 1991 (France Premiere) |
| Director | Ian Toynton |
| Writer | Timothy Prager |
| Genre | Romance, Comedy |
| Runtime | 87 minutes |
| Distributor | Media Home Entertainment / Republic Pictures |
| Lead Cast |
• Martin Sheen (Anthony Wayne) • Jacqueline Bisset (Nicole Chantrelle) • Victoria Tennant (Julie Meyer) • Jean-Pierre Cassel (C.P. Olivier) • James Faulkner (Laurent Leclair) |
Plot Overview
Anthony Wayne (Martin Sheen) is a successful American financial executive who arrives in Paris on a 30-day corporate assignment. Staying at a colleague’s high-end apartment, Anthony accidentally gets locked out of his bedroom wrapped in only a towel.
Before he can resolve the situation, Nicole Chantrelle (Jacqueline Bisset), an elegant Parisian career woman, walks into the apartment. Mistaking the stranded American for the newly hired domestic maid sent by an agency, she immediately orders him to get to work.
Too embarrassed to reveal his actual position as a high-powered banker—and captivated by Nicole’s charm—Anthony decides to maintain the charade. He assumes the role of her male housekeeper, secretly juggling household chores with his demanding day job at a Parisian financial firm. As the farce escalates, genuine romantic feelings develop between them, leaving Anthony to figure out how to confess the truth without destroying Nicole’s trust.
Key Themes & Highlights
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1990 Production vs. 1991 Release: Produced and shot in Paris throughout 1990 before making its theatrical debut in Europe in early 1991 and subsequent home video release in North America.
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Classic Identity Swap: Uses classic slapstick and farce tropes, relying on physical comedy and fast-paced timing.
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Lighthearted Martin Sheen Performance: Highlights Martin Sheen in a rare, pure slapstick comedic lead prior to his iconic dramatic television run in The West Wing.