Aitana Sánchez-Gijón in The Chambermaid on the Titanic (1997)

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La Camarera del Titanic (1997), or The Chambermaid on the Titanic, features some names that, by now, should be familiar. It was directed by Bigas Luna, and features the lovely Aitana Sánchez-Gijón in the title role. It also stars Romane Bohringer. In an accident of great timing, this film capitalized on the popularity of Titanic, and has hence been seen by more people in the US than all of Luna's other films combined, even though it has little to do with the Titanic.

Olivier Martinez plays Horty, a foundry worker in France, who wins his company's version of the triathlon, and, as a prize, is given a trip to see the sailing of the Titanic, including a hotel room for the night. He is approached by Marie (Aitana Sánchez-Gijón), who explains that she has a job as chambermaid on the Titanic, but can't board until the next day, and needs a room. He agrees to let her stay in his, and the two spend a chaste night together. He buys a photo of her from a dock-side photographer, and returns home to rumors that his wife is having an affair with the factory owner. He goes to the local bar, shows the picture, and begins relating a fantasy about what he did with Marie. The story improves each night, gathering a larger crown with each telling.

He is eventually approached by the owner of a traveling theatrical troupe, who offers him big money to tell his story on stage, as anything to do with the Titanic is big box office. I am not exactly impartial when it comes to nudity and sex in film, but the restraint praised by many critics didn't thrill me. I would have preferred a more typical Bigas Luna approach in a story that clearly called for more nudity. C+.

Nudity Report: Unfortunately, the film doesn't contain the explicit nudity and sex we usually see from Luna, but Aitana Sánchez-Gijón shows breasts through a sheer top after being showered with champaign in one of his tales.

Critics Vote: Critical response was favorable, with Berardinelli giving three stars. It garnered 100% favorable from the top critics at Rotten Tomatoes, and 75% overall.

IMDB Summary: IMDb readers rate this 6.8 of 10.

Box Office: It enjoyed a minor theatrical release in the US, with a gross of $244K.

DVD Info: I watched a Spanish Region 2 DVD, which, unfortunately had no English subtitles. It is also available on NTSC VHS in French, with English subtitles.


Written by: Tuna …courtesy of Scoopy.net