The Valet 2007

The narrative unfolds in the sunny streets of California, where Antonio Flores, played by Daniel Auteuil, is a modest valet cycling through a bustling scene alive with the sounds of a political rally. The focus of this gathering is Vincent Royce, a wealthy developer portrayed by Gad Elmaleh, who has ambitions to gentrify the neighborhood and alter its fabric of small businesses. Antonio’s home life is a complex tapestry, composed of his shared custody of his teenage son Marco (Joshua Vasquez) with ex-wife Isabel (Marisol Nichols), who still inhabits their family home alongside Antonio’s mother Cecilia (Carmen Salinas). The situation intensifies when Isabel announces her new relationship with their neighbor, Mr. Kim (Ji Yong Lee), leaving Antonio feeling uneasy. Thankfully, Natalie (Diany Rodriguez), the warm-hearted owner of a local bike shop, offers Antonio both camaraderie and support during these turbulent times.

The evening arrives, and Isabel’s visit to pick up Marco brings surprising news; she’s not only seeing someone new named Ronnie, but she’s also grappling with a mounting debt of $12,850. The plot thickens dramatically when the glamorous Olivia Allan (Samara Weaving), a rising Hollywood starlet, escapes the relentless paparazzi with the help of her assistant Amanda (Tiana Okoye). She heads to Vincent’s lavish abode, entangled in an affair that weighs heavily on her conscience. Struggling with guilt, Olivia resolves to end the relationship with Vincent, who professes his deep affection but fails to reassure her that he will leave his wife Kathryn (Betsy Brandt) for her.

In an unexpected twist, Antonio collides with Olivia’s getaway car while biking, which causes a photographer to snap an incriminating photo of Olivia. This mishap ignites a media frenzy just days before her film premiere, Earhart, where she is set to portray the iconic aviator Amelia Earhart. As the scandal unfolds, Kathryn becomes suspicious upon discovering the compromising image, but Vincent manages to calm her fears for the moment.

To quash the growing threat to his reputation and fortune, Vincent probes Antonio to pose as Olivia’s boyfriend, a decision both agree to for the sake of their public personas. This arrangement leads to a provocative moment at Antonio’s workplace, leaving his coworkers astounded as Olivia unabashedly kisses him, and their subsequent public lunch becomes a spectacle for all to see. Meanwhile, private investigator Stegman (John Pirruccello) is hot on their trail, snapping pictures on Kathryn’s behalf, while Kapoor (Ravi Patel), one of Vincent’s operatives, keeps a watchful eye on Olivia.

At a fine dining establishment, the situation escalates as snobby patrons misidentify Antonio as a waiter, prompting Olivia to swiftly rectify the situation. Unfortunately, Isabel learns about Antonio’s perceived affair, which ignites her jealousy. As the stage is set for the Earhart premiere, Antonio finds himself amidst a flurry of reporters, attempting to assert his identity against the backdrop of chaos.

Post-screening, Kathryn confronts Antonio, who stands firm against her condescension. Meanwhile, an inebriated Olivia leans on Antonio for support as he helps her back home, cheered on by his brother-in-law Benny (Amaury Nolasco) and his kitchen staff. The storyline transitions to a tender moment where Cecilia and Mr. Kim bond over their feelings for each other, showcasing the nuances of connection despite language barriers.

As dawn breaks, Antonio’s family eagerly welcomes Olivia, who has become a part of their lives. Isabel’s return raises questions about the sudden boost in Olivia’s fortunes connected to Antonio. Following a rewarding breakfast and family photo, Olivia seems ready to part ways with Antonio, ending their charade. Yet, tensions rise when Vincent learns about their night together, leading to increased scrutiny.

Olivia’s film receives critical acclaim, though she finds herself alone in her success, longing for genuine companionship. A flashback reminds her of Marco’s school play, prompting her to join Antonio and his family at a lively gathering. During this reunion, Olivia learns about the potential closure of Natalie’s bike shop due to Vincent’s development plans, igniting further emotional conflicts between her, Isabel, and Antonio.

In an unexpected turn, Olivia shares her desire to stage moments with Antonio to gather evidence against Vincent’s oppressive schemes. This leads to a heartfelt discussion where Olivia reveals her feelings of isolation. Following their emotional exchange, the two share a sense of camaraderie that reinforces their newfound bond.

The day after, when Antonio runs into Isabel at the café, he assumes she’s reconsidering their past but learns she’s chosen to remain with Ronnie. This revelation devastates him, further complicated by Olivia’s admission that she has been using him for publicity. Their confrontation erupts with raw emotions as paparazzi capture every moment.

The tension escalates when Vincent arrives, furious and ready to confront Antonio, only to respond with violence. Afterward, Daniel presents Antonio with a surprise payment of $25,000, a gesture of support that Antonio, recalling Isabel’s past advice, eventually accepts.

Sadly, the story takes a tragic turn when Cecilia suffers a heart attack, leading to her death. Amid the grieving, Antonio stands to deliver a heartfelt eulogy, with the help of Mr. Kim’s daughter for translation. On the work front, Antonio is shocked to find Vincent feigning ignorance about their past encounters, leading him to realize Olivia was entangled with someone unworthy.

Resolving to put things right, Antonio finds Olivia on her film set, where they mend their friendship amidst her condolences for his loss. However, Kathryn has a revelation of her own, choosing to utilize Vincent’s phone to expose his schemes and, alongside Antonio, they work together to bring him to justice, ultimately saving the small businesses threatened by his development plans.

As the dust settles, Kathryn’s perspective on Antonio and Olivia shifts positively, fostering an unexpected alliance. Stegman and Kapoor also find joy amidst the chaos, hinting at a budding romance of their own. Meanwhile, Antonio begins a new chapter, striking up a sweet romance with Natalie, while preserving his friendship with Olivia. The watchful eyes of the media capture their blossoming romances, leaving the audience wondering about the next chapter in their intertwined lives.