Before 'Conclave': The Adorable Rom-Com Starring Fiennes and Tucci

For myself and many others, the strongest aspect of Conclave was the fascinating dynamic between Ralph Fiennes’ sincere yet slightly naive Thomas and Stanley Tucci’s politically realist Aldo. Not only is there a comfort in the way these two veteran actors naturally bounce off of each other, but a dryness that fits in so well with the religious and political tones of the film. Great actor combinations are few and far between, and whilst they aren't often as prolific as Paul Newman and Robert Redford, they did work together before Conclave on the 2002 rom-com, Maid in Manhattan, and gave us a dynamic that is somehow similar yet different in many ways.

Maid in Manhattan follows Marissa (Jennifer Lopez), a maid at a fancy hotel, as she begins a relationship with Fiennes’ Chris, a Republican politician running for Senate, while his chief of staff, Tucci’s Jerry, runs around trying his best to run Chris’ election campaign. Whilst Tucci's character is arguably very similar to his later role in Conclave, Fiennes' charismatic performance increases the pacing of their dynamic, making it snappier and more comedic. However, certain aspects of the film's politics prevent the dynamic from landing as well as it could, as confusing and vague messaging distracts the viewer from the core narrative.

Tucci and Fiennes’ Dynamic Is the Best Part of ‘Maid in Manhattan'

Whilst Jennifer Lopez is in her element in a traditional 2000s rom-com, bringing the witty and strong energy to her role as always, it is Tucci and Fiennes who give us the best scenes with their back-and-forth dynamic. Both men give far more exuberant performances than in Conclave, obviously due to their younger age at this time but also the nature of politicians versus cardinals. However, when you look at it, Tucci’s Jerry and Aldo are incredibly similar. Both are realists trying to get Chis and Thomas (respectively) to toe the line for political favor; only this time around it's a Senate campaign, not a papal one.

It is in Fiennes’ performance where the dynamic truly takes a curve and changes. As a more arrogant and charismatic man, Chris is constantly ignoring Jerry’s orders, which leads to some comedic moments like Jerry desperately trying to block a gateway from the media so Chris can meet Marissa or having Jerry walk Chris' massive greyhound on the busy streets of New York. If Chris were more of a naive optimist, Jerry would probably be more toned down, and the dynamic would be quite similar to the one we see in Conclave. Instead, we see arguably a more personal relationship with their banter coming off as casual and natural.

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‘Maid in Manhattan’s Politics Distract From the Core Narrative

It must be said that the confusing politics in Maid in Manhattan slightly derail the dynamic from landing as effectively as possible because we become focused on what the film is trying to say rather than what is being said. The 2002 film does hit on the traditional snobs vs. slobs tropes with an upper-class Caroline (Natasha Richardson) desperate for Chris’ attention. However, the film also makes an argument that Marissa and the lower class are also to blame for putting the upper class on a pedestal. Whilst suggestions from Marissa that Chris should go to the lower-class neighborhoods so his speech isn’t a rehearsed spiel are never executed in the film, Chris proves Marissa wrong, and Jerry never presents a larger obstacle than Marissa’s fellow service people do. This, in turn, makes the latter argument feel stronger, that the rich don’t have to do much to improve themselves; it is up to the working class to see themselves in a positive light without putting themselves down.

For some, this probably isn't an issue, and the traditional narrative and witty dialogue are more than enough to keep them engaged, and once the film is done, they simply move on. But many audiences will enjoy Ralph Fiennes and Stanley Tucci in their excellent portrayal of an enigmatic politician and exhausted chief of staff, and Lopez is a welcoming presence that the audience feels comfortable with from the beginning of the film. However, in the end, viewers will most likely come away from the film thinking about the politics, not the characters and performances, as we typically want to do in a rom-com.

Maid in Manhattan is available to stream on Netflix in the U.S.

Amal Clooney Wore Optical Illusion Jeans Cosigned by Jennifer Lopez—Fall-Ready Styles Start at $44

My list of must-try jean trends for 2026 is growing; it currently includes all the silhouettes one denim expert revealed to me as the must-watch of the year (save for baggy jeans, because I’ve been wearing those for years). That said, one style that didn’t land on said aforementioned list, but is clearly due for big, big things this year, is flare jeans. With a growing list of celebrity fans that includes Meghan Markle, Jennifer Lopez, Reese Witherspoon, Cindy Crawford, Kendrick Lamar (you know that moment), and, of course, Amal Clooney, there’s no denying the retro denim style that was popular in the early aughts is back—and bigger than ever.

The fact that Clooney wore flared jeans is noteworthy in and of itself. The human rights lawyer is known for her refined dressing approach, regularly opting for billowy trousers, trendy boho blouses, and comfy sweater dresses—all staples that read elegant and timeless. So, when I spotted her earlier this year in the laid-back blues while out to dinner with hubby George Clooney, I knew I had to write about it. Of course, the fact that she wore flare jeans, the style countless celebs have worn the last few weeks, is noteworthy, too, as it further cements the style’s ‘It’ status for 2026. 

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Spanx SpanxSculpt ReDefine Flare Jeans

Clooney opted for a pair of medium-wash jeans with subtle fading (another Y2K reference, IMO). Her blues had an ultra-high waist—so high, in fact, that they appeared to hit at the ribcage. It’s the complete opposite of the controversial low-rise denim, so it’s a possible sign that the high-high waist is coming back, too. Not to mention, Clooney’s jeans had a slightly oversized fit from the thighs to the ankles, but it’s that flared hem that has all my attention; it’s taking me back to my middle school days when I’d wear my True Religion flares every single day. (No joke.)

Gap High-Rise ‘70s Flare Jeans

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It’s undeniable that Clooney’s jeans have that nostalgic flair (ahem, flare, wink, wink), but it’s also undeniable that celebs are clamoring to the style because it’s incredibly flattering. The blues basically act like an optical illusion, making legs look super long, especially when paired with a style that has an extra-long hemline and sky-high platforms á la Lopez; the singer is 5-feet-5-inches, but don’t you agree with me that she looks way taller in these jeans? Yeah, that’s thanks to the flares. The flare hem and longer inseams help create the look of legs for days, but add in a high-waisted cut, platform heels, and a crop top, and you’ll fool people into thinking you’re inches taller. 

Leg-elongating factor aside, there’s no denying that flares are fun and nostalgia-inducing—and that’s exactly what I need right now. So, shop some more fun, funky flares from Frame, NYDJ, and Mavi below.

NYDJ Barbara Jeans

Gap High Rise ‘70s Flare Jeans

Frame The Icon Raw Hem Flare Jeans