Paris, 1962 is the setting for the movie The Women on the Sixth Floor.
The marvellous Fabrice Luchini stars as wealthy stockbroker Jean-Louis Joubert, who lives a staid bourgeois existence with his perfectly presented socialite wife (Sandrine Kiberlain).
But when the family’s maid abandons them, into the residence comes Maria (Natalia Verbeke): young, hardworking, and… Spanish!
Remarkably, it doesn’t take long for the building to become enchanted by the new arrival.
Maria rallies the friendship of the other servants on the sixth floor (fabulous turns contributed by two of Almodóvar’s favourite señoritas, Carmen Maura and Lola Dueñas) and soon, the balance of the household ruptures into wild, crosscultural chaos.
Directed with verve and charm by the talented Le Guay (The Cost of Living), The Women on the Sixth Floor is a warm-hearted delight, in any language.
Luchini and Kiberlain are terrific as the austere couple brought to life and then, potentially, breaking point when Jean-Louis literally discovers a room of his own.
Still, the show arguably belongs to the lively ladies upstairs, including beautiful breakout star Verbeke.
After premiering at the 2011 Berlin International Film Festival to a standing ovation, The Women on the Sixth Floor became a massive hit at the French box office earlier this year: fuelled by enthusiastic word of mouth, it surpassed 2.3 million admissions. Now it’s Australia’s turn!
WHO: The Women on the Sixth Floor
WHERE: Cinemax Arthouse Cinema Kingscliff
WHEN: Opening this week
