Madame

Madame is a 2017 comedy-drama directed by Amanda Sthers and starring Toni Collette, Harvey Keitel, and Rossy de Palma. The movie tells the story of a wealthy American couple, Anne and Bob, who move to Paris and organize a lavish dinner party for their friends and colleagues. However, when they realize that there are thirteen guests at the table, Anne insists on finding a fourteenth person to balance out the unlucky number.

Desperate to find a suitable guest at the last minute, Anne and Bob convince their maid, Maria, to pretend to be a Spanish noblewoman named Marquise de Montserrat. Maria is initially reluctant to take on the role, but Anne offers her a designer dress, new shoes, and a makeover, which she reluctantly accepts.

As the dinner progresses, Maria's ruse becomes increasingly difficult to maintain, and she finds herself drawn into the drama and intrigue of the Parisian social scene. Meanwhile, Anne and Bob's relationship is strained by their differing attitudes towards their new lives in France, and as the night wears on, their secrets are exposed and their relationships are tested.

At its heart, Madame is a film about class, identity, and the absurdities of the social elite. Toni Collette delivers a strong performance as Anne, a woman frantically trying to fit in with the Parisian elite while facing her own insecurities and doubts. Harvey Keitel plays the charming but flawed Bob, whose casual indiscretions threaten to upend their carefully crafted life in France.

But it is the character of Maria who steals the show, played with wit and pathos by Rossy de Palma. Maria is the embodiment of the old adage that money can't buy class, and her struggles to navigate the complex web of social expectations and customs make her both sympathetic and relatable.

The film is beautifully shot in and around Paris, and the city itself is as much a character in the story as any of the actors. From the lavish apartments and dinner parties to the back streets and alleys of the city, Madame offers a snapshot of the many faces of Paris - the glamorous, the seedy, and everything in between.

Ultimately, Madame is a light-hearted and entertaining film that offers a glimpse into the lives of the rich and famous, while also exploring deeper themes of identity, class, and what it means to belong. With its stellar cast and gorgeous setting, it is a must-see for anyone who loves French cinema, or just good old-fashioned comedy-drama.