The Valet (2022)

The Valet (2022)

 

6/10

Starring

Eugenio Derbez

Samara Weaving

 

Directed by Richard Wong

 

This movie does something I wasn’t expecting in the end. Movies like this are very predictable, so there’s rarely a chance for a shocker, but the ending was something cool, a little off the path of what movies like this usually do.

I liked it, and honestly, more than I expected to. The Valet is a remake of a French film of the same name, and I haven’t seen that one, so I don’t know how it compares. This movie, for me, sails smoothly because of the two lead actors and the whole idea of not trying to force an unrealistic romantic pairing. The two had their own lives and were forced to work together to cover up a scandal.

The movie plot is easy to follow, and it made a good decision by focusing on the same story and not allowing any side distractions to take control for a moment.

The plot is about a famous actress, Olivia (Samara Weaving), having an affair with a billionaire real estate developer, Vincent. Their affair has them living in the shadows to keep it a secret from Vincent’s wife, Kathryn. Olivia is unhappy with the relationship, feeling guilty about the whole thing, but Vincent is happy to just carry on. After an argument that has him chase her into the street from the hotel they were staying at for the night, a valet, Antonio (Eugenio Derbez), runs into them while riding his bicycle. He falls off and hits a car with his bicycle. Pictures were taken of the three, and Kathryn suspects that Vincent is having an affair with Olivia. Vincent lies, claiming he was just an innocent bystander when the couple, Olivia and Antonio, ran into him. Antonio is an older man, old enough to be Olivia’s father, and Kathryn isn’t buying it. Vincent decides to pay Antonio to act like Olivia’s boyfriend to fool the press and his wife. Olivia agrees to the deal, and so does Antonio, who needs the money.

Their acting grows from just pretending to be lovers to becoming friends, something movies like this always have happen, so there’s no surprise there.

From here on, the movie just charms its way with wonderful acting from the two. Antonio tries to navigate his way through a separation and tentative divorce from his wife, who also happens to be jealous of his present relationship. Meanwhile, Olivia is trying to come to a decision about what she wants to do with her life. Kathryn, on the other hand, is working extra hard to discover the truth because all the press appearances and kisses can’t convince her that Antonio and Olivia were in a relationship.

The movie is easy to enjoy, and it’s streaming now on Hulu.