The distance between the bourgeoisie and the working class has never been so delightfully measured as in this delicious upstairs downstairs comedy. The inspiration for writer director Philippe Le Guay's story was inspired by his childhood, when his family employed a Spanish housemaid. Here, Le Guay contrasts only too well the chilly mood that exists in the fine apartment of the stockbroker and his icy wife with the warmth and joie de vivre that exudes from the Spanish contingent of domestics who live on the 6th floor. Vive la difference!

Pedantic stockbroker Jean-Louis Joubert (whose day is sunny if he starts it with a three and a half minute egg for breakfast), lives in an apartment building with his socialite, bridge-playing wife Suzanne (Sandrine Kiberlain). The pretty new Spanish maid Maria (Natalia Verbeke) with a dimpled smile has changed everything at home; not only does she manage the housekeeping perfectly, but her presence has injected a warmth that was previously missing. There's also a wonderful exuberance about life on the 6th floor, where all the Spanish maids live in close proximity to each other and support each other in everything. .

We sense from the beginning that there's a sprinkling of magic between Jean-Louis and the gorgeous Maria, but Le Guay is careful to nurture the relationship between Jean-Louis and the entire group of women, rather than simply his relationship with Maria. The rather dry stockbroker, lacking in a sense of humour, suddenly becomes human while the cracks start to appear in the façade of his aimless wife. Le Guay has gathered a sensational cast of women including Almodovar favourites Carmen Maura, Concha Galán and Lola Dueñas. Verbeke shines brightly as the almost too-good to be true Maria, whose genuine warmth and sincerity has a positive effect on everyone.

An uplifting story with plenty of chuckles and surprises, the women on the 6th floor are definitely ones you will want to meet.


Herald Sun
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