The 2019 memoir ‘Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother’s Will to Survive’ by Stephanie Land made waves back at the time of its release as it highlighted the beautiful and gritty exploration of poverty in America. Land candidly wrote in her memoir about trying to raise her young daughter while working as a maid. Taking inspiration from the memoir, Netflix has come forward with a 10-episode story adapting Land’s narrative to TV. But while most TV series adapted from books are credited as ‘based on’, ‘Maid’ is uniquely called ‘inspired by’ as a lot of new and fictional material is added to the play, including change of actual locations, where necessary, and addition of characters. And Land doesn’t seem to mind. In fact, she is constantly praising the TV show’s approach for the story, which is both captivating and relatable.
Dealing with issues of parenthood, domestic violence and the precariousness of life below the poverty line, the Netflix mini-series tells the story of a 25-year-old aspiring writer Alex (Margaret Qualley) who is living in the North of Seattle with her two-year old daughter Maddy (Rylea Nevaeh Whittet) and abusive husband Sean (Nick Robinson).
The first episode starts with Alex waking up to see that Sean is sleeping. Fed up with his nonsense behaviour and abusive nature, she gathers a few things along with her daughter Maddy and tiptoes out of the home. With only $18 in her pocket and nowhere to go, Alex must find a way to piece her life back together. She keeps roaming from domestic violence shelters to relatives and friends’ homes and because she is in no position to pay a rental deposit, she makes her way into a trailer.
Tackling one catch-22 situation after another, she finds a cleaning job at a firm whose owner Yolanda (Tracy Vilar) is a bit creepy. She builds a relationship with her client Regina (Anika Noni Rose), a high-class woman who longs for a child but is afraid of raising it without her husband. Regina wants a family that Alex has and Alex needs money and a home that Regina has. Their friendship soon blossoms with both realizing that they need each other.
She also crosses paths with her bipolar mother Paula (Andie MacDowell), who is her mother in real life as well, and her estranged father Hank (Billy Burke). Alex always tries to keep her distance from her parents because they remind her of the bad days she had as they used to underestimate her at all times.
Her journey through the precincts of poverty is frustrating at times as one can witness how Alex’s finances tick down to zero before she can even think of saving some for the next day’s food, petrol and Maddy’s daycare. Even when she is purchasing something at a store, she is cautious in buying only the things that are extremely important.
It is clear from the start that the series has important roles of women for the men in Alex’s life are no good. Andie MacDowell as Paula is rude because she speaks the harsh truth but she plays her part fair and square. Alex doesn’t like her mother but deep down they both know that they have each other’s back. Even Anika Noni Rose as Regina is intelligent yet emotional who turns out to be a support for Alex.
This Netflix show, without a doubt, belongs to Margaret Qualley who plays Alex. Her presence on-screen is captivating as she captures Alex’s constantly shifting mentality quite brilliantly. From the mental pressure she feels due to Sean’s nature to making sure people like her, she depicts a strong-willed woman who is fighting for survival. Even her expressions make you feel the pain and fear she has. The series isn’t afraid to emphasise her emotional perspective over strict reality.
One thing that is missing in the series is a proper projection of male leads. The characters of Sean and Hank both have anger and addiction issues and they have the largest role in making Alex’s life miserable. While creator Molly Smith Metzler lacks in giving perspective to male roles, John Wells, who directed four episodes, does a great job at giving ‘Maid’ an engaging look.
Emphasizing the concept of who is more worthy of charity, the series talks about the hard reality of poverty in our society. It shows that a person does not get help until he/she has not suffered enough. The series also sheds light on issues of domestic violence that is still considered taboo in many countries.
‘Maid” serves as a breather for many single mothers who are fighting every day to live a happy and healthy life with their children. The brilliant performances and attention to detail make this TV series a compelling drama, one that keeps you hooked to the TV screen.
Leave a Reply