Let’s be honest – nobody looks forward to cleaning. That’s why apartment cleaning services like Handy have seen crazy growth over the last few years. Still, that doesn’t mean cleaners and maids don’t make for compelling film topics! Take a look at our list of our favorite cleaning-focused movies.
The Help
Set in Jackson, Mississippi in the 1960’s, The Help focuses on the relationship between a white woman named Eugenia “Skeeter” Phelan (Emma Stone), who is an aspiring writer, and 2 African American women, Aibileen Clark (Viola Davis) and Minny Jackson. Aibileen and Minny work as hired help for white families. Skeeter decides to write a book about the lives of African Americans who work as hired help. Skeeter interviews the maids, including Aibileen and Minny. Skeeter writes her novel in an attempt to expose the racism that African Americans face every day while working for white families.
Maid in Manhattan
Maid in Manhattan is a romantic comedy starring Jennifer Lopez as Marisa Ventura, a single mother who works as a maid for an upscale Manhattan hotel. While cleaning the room of socialite Caroline Lane, Marisa’s co-worker, Stephanie, convinces her to try on a designer Dolce and Gabanna coat. Meanwhile, senatorial candidate, Christopher Marshall is on his way to Caroline Lane’s room. When Christopher meets Marisa he is instantly captivated by her. Assuming that Marisa is actually Caroline Lane, Christopher invites her to lunch. Marisa, afraid of hotel management finding out what she did, tries to avoid Christopher and risk losing her chance at love.
Dolores Claiborne
Dolores Claiborne is a thriller based on a Stephen King novel. Dolores Claiborne (Kathy Bates) is a maid in a small New England town. Her employer is a rich, elderly woman named Vera Donovan. Vera is a cruel woman, and when she turns up dead, Dolores is accused of her murder. When Dolores is arrested for murder, her estranged daughter Selena decides to investigate the murder in order to clear her mother’s name. During the investigation, Selena uncovers some shocking truths involving the murder and her childhood.
Corrina Corrina
Set in 1959, Corrina Corrina stars Ray Liotta as a widower raising his daughter alone. After Manny Singer’s wife dies, their daughter Molly becomes mute, refusing to speak to anyone. Manny decides to hire a housekeeper/nanny to care for Molly but has trouble finding someone who will stay. Eventually, Corrina Washington (Whoopi Goldberg) applies for the position. Molly responds to Corrina and she is hired on the spot. Corrina sets out on a journey to help Manny and Molly heal after their great loss.
