As soon as I had finished watching The Housemaid (2010, Lim Sang-soo), I became eager to watch the 1960s original. I was surprised to find that it differs rather drastically from its modern remake. In fact, one can barely call the 2010 version a remake at all. Despite the dramatic differences, both films are worthy of praise and warrant examination as products of their respective eras.
The Story and Characters
Eun-I is our housemaid. After a thorough screening process she is offered a job at an extremely wealthy household. Her employers are an upper-class couple with a young daughter and twins on the way. The lady of the house (Hae-ra played by Seo Woo) lives a luxurious life free from work. She spends her time reading, enjoying relaxing baths, and pampering herself with the assistance of the helpers.
The senior maid (Yoon Yeo-jeong as Byeong-sik) has worked for the household for a number of years. She is well informed of all the mansion's happenings and it is she who assists Eun-I in adjusting to the couple's lavish lifestyle. Yoon Yeo-jeong's character was not in the original, but her presence is justified in this contemporary version. As both rat and mentor, Yoon Yeo-jeong's character undergoes the largest change from beginning to end.
The new maid is also introduced to Hae-ra (Ahn Seo-hyeon), the couple's adorable daughter. She is the embodiment of innocence and naivety in the film. She develops a close and personal relationship with Eun-I, and throughout the film, their relationship almost exists outside the tragic consequential eventuality of the story.
Hoon (Lee Jeong-jae) is the master of this house. His stern demeanor is paired with his dominance over the household. As his wife's mother (Park Ji-yeong) describes, this is a man who has had everything he has ever desired from birth, a silver-spoon baby whose social standing makes him an unapproachable and commanding figure. One night, his wife fails to fully satisfy him, being very pregnant with twins, and his gaze soon turns to Eun-I.
Late
in the night he strolls down to her quarters, wine in hand, and boldly
makes his advances. This is one of the biggest differences between the
classic and the modern version. While in the original the viewers'
sympathies lie with the couple, sinisterly manipulated by the maid, here
we are behind the naïve and likable Eun-I. Although she more than meets
Hoon halfway in this scandalous affair, her credulous characterisation
and misplaced sensibility discourages viewers from distancing themselves
from her.
The
affair results in Eun-I becoming pregnant and, through the lips of the
senior housemaid, the madams of the house become aware and take action
to minimise the scandal's impact on their cushy lives. Eun-I is bribed
and assaulted, but she ultimately decides to keep the unborn child. This
is unacceptable to the wife and her scheming mother and together they
heartlessly deal with them both. Devastated by their scheme, Eun-I
decides to take matters into her own hands and does the unthinkable.
Its bizarre final scene initially seemed
at odds with the rest of the film, but ultimately provides a meaningful
message on the future of the household. Life at the Hoon manor will
continue, with Eun-I's final act only really affecting the young girl
with whom she shared so much. It is with Hae-ra that Eun-I's message
lingers, her naivety shattered, as she stands present in, yet
emotionally detached from the spectacle that is her life.
Final Thoughts
The Housemaid contains some intriguing
nuances that heighten the dramatic intent of this modern film. It's a
fascinating contemporary examination of social roles and class, albeit
in a fairly narrow context. I enjoyed what The Housemaid had to offer
and its melodramatic instances were generally effective and
complementary to its themes. It's an excellent film that's definitely
worth a watch.
-Christopher J. Wheeler
Please feel free to comment on this review. Discussions are welcomed!
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