Debapriya Bhattacharya
Helmed by Lacey Uhlemeyer, ‘Maintenance Required’ follows Charlie (Madelaine Petsch), a young and fiercely independent owner of a mechanic shop with an all-female crew. She has an online anonymous friend whom she has never met, but who has become her confidant over time. The secret person is Beau, a handsome corporate executive whose company is seeking to acquire Charlie’s business. As the company sets up shop across the street, Charlie is forced to reevaluate the future of her enterprise. However, when she ultimately comes to face Beau, sparks fly despite their professional rivalry. The Amazon Prime Video original film is a fresh take on the classic romantic comedy trope, where the relationship between work enemies blossoms into something much deeper. If you enjoyed this lighthearted rom-com, the following movies similar to ‘Maintenance Required’ will be perfect for your next watch.
10. The Cutting Edge (1992)
Directed by Paul Michael Glaser, ‘The Cutting Edge’ centers around Kate Moseley (Moira Kelly), a figure skater from a rich family who is dead set on winning an Olympic gold medal, but is not getting a partner of her liking. Desperate to pair her up, her coach, Anton (Roy Dotrice), introduces her to former Olympic ice hockey player Doug Dorsey (D.B. Sweeney). The hard-headed Doug is unlike any partner Kate has ever had. The two get on each other’s nerves from the get-go, but work together for the Olympic gold in sight. Similar to ‘Maintenance Required,’ love blossoms in an unlikely place with Kate and Doug.
9. Love & Basketball (2000)
Marking the feature directorial debut of Gina Prince-Bythewood, ‘Love & Basketball’ is about childhood friends Monica (Sanaa Lathan) and Quincy (Omar Epps) who bond over their mutual love for basketball. As they grow up, they train to go pro. However, it is easier for one than the other, with Quincy’s father, Zeke (Dennis Haysbert), playing for the Los Angeles Clippers. While Monica and Quincy are in love with each other, their individual struggles for stardom threaten to pull them apart. The turmoil in their relationship evokes the difficulties that Charlie and Beau face in ‘Maintenance Required.’
8. Two Weeks Notice (2002)
‘Two Weeks Notice,’ directed by Marc Lawrence, stars Hugh Grant as billionaire George Wade and Sandra Bullock as environmental lawyer Lucy Kelson, who works for him. When George becomes overly dependent on Lucy and asks for her input on all matters, be it professional or personal, she becomes frustrated and tries to quit. While serving notice, Lucy brings in Harvard graduate June Carter (Alicia Witt) as her replacement. As June settles well into her role and begins to replace Lucy in the eyes of George, jealousy raises its ugly head and starts giving Lucy second thoughts. The conflict between George and Lucy reflects the one seen between Charlie and Beau in ‘Maintenance Required.’
7. Irresistible (2020)
Written and directed by comedian Jon Stewart, ‘Irresistible’ is set ahead of the 2016 presidential election and follows veteran Democratic Party campaign consultant Gary Zimmer (Steve Carell), who discovers retired Marine Col. Jack Hastings as the potential new face for his party. Gary decides to visit Jack’s fictional hometown of Deerlaken, Wisconsin, and convince him to run for Mayor. Soon, the Republicans get whiff and the political battle heats up. To counter Gary’s plans, the Republican National Committee sends Faith Brewster, his nemesis, who appears to have a complicated relationship with him. While the two often seem to be bickering, there are layers to their situation, much like Charlie and Beau in ‘Maintenance Required.’
6. The Hating Game (2021)
Based on Sally Thorne’s eponymous novel, ‘The Hating Game’ revolves around Lucy Hutton (Lucy Hale) and Joshua Templeton (Austin Stowell), two work rivals who share the same office. Getting on each other’s nerves in the professional space, they have turned into HR’s nightmare. When a higher position opens up, the cutthroat competition that they engage in worsens the situation. However, things get complicated when Lucy realizes that she is romantically attracted to George, and the latter reciprocates her feelings. Much like ‘Maintenance Required,’ the couple’s dynamic undergoes an evolution.
5. The Proposal (2009)
The Anne Fletcher directorial ‘The Proposal’ stars Sandra Bullock as Margaret Tate, a high-flying editor at a publishing house, and Ryan Reynolds as Andrew Paxton, her assistant who is stuck in a thankless job. When Margaret is informed that she is being deported to Canada, she makes up a story about being engaged to Andrew and preparing for their upcoming wedding. Andrew goes along with the lie for the sake of keeping his job. However, under the scrutiny of a suspicious immigration officer, the duo is forced to take a trip to Alaska to meet Andrew’s family. Through increasingly awkward situations and elaborate lies, they try to stick together to see their story through to the end. The complications that arise between individuals who bear no bonhomie at work are similar to those seen in ‘Maintenance Required.’
4. You’ve Got Mail (1998)
Inspired by the Hungarian play ‘Parfumerie’ by Miklós László, ‘You’ve Got Mail’ centers around Joe Fox (Tom Hanks) and Kathleen Kelly (Meg Ryan). He is the owner of a corporate bookstore chain who moves in across the street from where she runs a small independent bookshop. As their rivalry intensifies in person, they unknowingly begin a romance online, oblivious to each other’s true identities. Much like ‘Maintenance Required,’ one of them realizes the truth, and the struggle to come to terms with reality begins.
3. The Ugly Truth (2009)
Directed by Robert Luketic, ‘The Ugly Truth’ is set around Abby Richter (Katherine Heigl), a television producer who has been single for a long time despite all her efforts against it. When ladies’ man Mike Chadway (Gerard Butler) joins her network, Abby is not overly pleased as she considers his behaviour obnoxious. However, Mike decides to prove his theories about men and women to Abby by helping her get a date with the doctor she fancies. The tussle between the two in the professional sphere gives way to a personal friendship, similar to ‘Maintenance Required.’
2. Laws of Attraction (2004)
The Peter Howitt directorial ‘Laws of Attraction’ revolves around rival divorce lawyers Audrey Woods (Julianne Moore) and Daniel Rafferty (Pierce Brosnan), who find themselves on opposing sides of a celebrity divorce case. However, things get complicated when they take their fight outside the courtroom, and against their better judgment, get drunk and wake up married to each other on the following day. In order to save their careers, they decide to play out the charade properly, while contemplating their feelings for each other. Much like ‘Maintenance Required,’ the narrative is about work enemies coming to terms with their evolving relationship.
1. The Shop Around the Corner (1940)
Based on Miklós László’s play ‘Parfumerie,’ ‘The Shop Around the Corner’ directed by Ernst Lubitsch tells the story of Alfred Kralik (James Stewart) and Klara Novak (Margaret Sullavan), employees at a general store who cannot stand each other. However, unknowingly, they also become anonymous pen pals and start to develop feelings for each other. After confessing their love through their letters, tensions rise as they finally decide to meet each other. Many parallels can be drawn between ‘The Shop Around the Corner’ and ‘Maintenance Required,’ with both narratives driven by the premise of lovers who correspond in writing and remain anonymous to each other, blissfully unaware that they despise each other at the workplace.
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