Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris (2022)

 Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris is a delightful, heartwarming film that combines charm, elegance, and a touch of whimsy. Directed by Anthony Fabian and based on Paul Gallico's beloved novel, the movie transports audiences to 1950s Paris through the eyes of Ada Harris, a widowed cleaning lady with big dreams and an indomitable spirit.

Lesley Manville shines as Mrs. Harris, delivering a nuanced and captivating performance that anchors the film. Her portrayal of a woman driven by a seemingly simple desire—to own a Dior gown—captures the essence of resilience and optimism. Manville imbues the character with humor, grace, and vulnerability, making her journey one to root for.

The film's setting is a feast for the senses, with vibrant depictions of Paris and stunning recreations of Dior's couture designs. The costumes, crafted with meticulous attention to detail, serve as a visual celebration of the artistry behind haute couture. The supporting cast, including Isabelle Huppert as the imperious but ultimately sympathetic Claudine Colbert, and Lucas Bravo as the earnest André, adds depth and color to the story.

While the plot leans on predictability and fairy-tale tropes, it’s hard to fault a film that embraces its feel-good nature so wholeheartedly. The themes of kindness, perseverance, and the transformative power of beauty resonate, leaving viewers with a warm, hopeful glow.

Rating: 8/10
Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris is a charming escapade that combines elegance and emotion. It’s a love letter to dreamers everywhere, proving that no goal is too grand for a determined heart. 

Mrs. Harris Goes To Paris is a simple, delightful movie starring  Leslie Manville who is a widowed cleaning lady, Ada Harris, living in 1950's London.   Her fantasy is to own a Christian Dior gown.  She is actually in no position to buy one but is intent on owning one and saves her pennies to make this happen.  After receiving an unexpected war widow's pension, she travels to Paris in order to buy one.  Dior initially declines to take on Ada as a client, as she is not the usual client that they were used to dealing with.
Ada is fortunate financial difficulties, and the, however, as Dior has come upon some financial difficulties and the  company finally  agrees to let Ada buy a Dior gown for a payment in cash. . Ada falls in love with a red dress and tries to buy it but another client manages to buy it first, so Ada settles for a green dress.   In Paris, she has many adventures and gets involved in many incidents.  The green gown finally gets to London and a friend, who is a struggling actress, borrows it, wears it to an affair and it is destroyed by fire.   Ada Harris does get the original red dress sent to her by her friends at Dior, after the original buyer does not pay for it and her dream comes true.  Ada gets to wear the Dior red gown to a dance and her fantasy becomes reality.  A sweet, light story that is enjoyable without the lights, bells and whistles of many of today's movies.          

 
 

  

 In Mrs Harris Goes to Paris, a movie based on the 1958 novel by Paul Gallico, Ada Harris, a British cleaning lady, manages to scrape together enough money to travel to Paris to buy a dream Dior gown. Despite the initial rebuffs by some at the French fashion house, Ada wins over her detractors and since she has ready cash (something not often seen with their top clients) no one can really deny her the gown of her dreams. Ada’s down-to-earth logic and sense of humour, as well as her charm and good nature, soon endear her to everyone and she manages to change lives and the future of the House of Dior. The ending of this film is rather a feel-good, happy one, unlike the original book. However, based on what we see in the nasty old world around us, I was more than pleased with this HEA ending. Plus, I wouldn’t mind wearing a Dior gown and dancing with Jason Isaacs…

The cast is superb. The ever-watchable Lesley Manville plays Ada Harris with grace, charm, and flair. She is perfect in the part. You will laugh with her and weep for her. Jason Isaacs plays her friend at the dog races and maybe there’s a spark in the future for them both, especially after he sees her in the Dior dress, “Temptation.” Ellen Thomas plays her best friend and stalwart supporter, Vi Butterfield. Other familiar faces include the beautiful Isabelle Huppert as Claudine Colbert, the Dior manager, who resents Ada. Young lovers who discover each other, the “face of Dior” gorgeous Alba Baptista (as Natasha) and Lucas Bravo, the handsome accountant (Andre), add the romance element one must always find in the city of love. Andre has a penchant for Sartre and discussing existentialism, but he is so good-looking that I’m sure any young woman would be pleased to while away a few hours being intellectual in his arms. Rounding out the players are Lambert Wilson (every mature woman’s dream man) as the Marquis de Chassagne, three hilarious tramps that Ada meets at the station, and a bevy of workers at the House of Dior who embody the worker bees behind the scenes that create the glorious dresses. Let’s not forget the inimitable Anna Chancellor as the truly selfish Lady Dant, a comical cameo. 

It is just a lovely romantic movie that one can sit back and enjoy. There are social elements such as the class distinctions in both France and England and worker issues, but these are woven in as part of the story and the character interaction, not bashed into the audience in woke haranguing. The plot is quite detailed in the lead-up to Ada actually jetting off to Paris but there’s nothing slow about the story overall. The movie and the characters draw the audience into the plot, and you actually believe in them and want things to go right for the good people and hope the (mildly) bad people get their comeuppance. Fashion makes a big hit in the movie since Oscar-winning costume designer Jenny Beavan worked with the famous fashion house to make couture gowns from scratch. Talking of costumes and sets, no detail was left undone, and the ambiance and period dress were perfect. Sit back and enjoy a relaxing, sweet, and gentle look at yesteryear with great acting and gorgeous costumes and settings. Like me, you will not want it to end! 

"Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris" is a charming and enchanting film that transports viewers to the glamorous world of 1950s Paris. Directed by Anthony Fabian, the movie follows the story of Mrs. Ada Harris, a kind-hearted and hardworking London widow who becomes captivated by the allure of a Dior couture dress and sets out on a journey to acquire one for herself.

Played with warmth and authenticity by the talented Lesley Manville, Mrs. Harris is a character that instantly endears herself to the audience. Her determination and unwavering spirit in the face of obstacles and skepticism are truly inspiring. Manville's performance is a masterclass in subtle, nuanced acting, effortlessly capturing the character's resilience, vulnerability, and joie de vivre.

The film's narrative is a delightful blend of whimsy, humor, and heartwarming moments. As Mrs. Harris navigates the cultural differences and class divides of 1950s Paris, the audience is treated to a captivating fish-out-of-water story that beautifully explores themes of self-discovery, personal growth, and the power of dreams.

The supporting cast, including the likes of Isabelle Huppert, Lambert Wilson, and Alba Baptista, delivers excellent performances that complement and enrich the central story. Each character is well-developed and contributes to the film's engaging and charming atmosphere.

Visually, "Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris" is a feast for the senses. The stunning costume design, beautiful set pieces, and vibrant cinematography transport the viewer to a bygone era, immersing them in the opulent world of Dior and the enchanting streets of Paris. The attention to detail and the meticulous recreation of the 1950s period are truly impressive.

Overall, "Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris" is a delightful and uplifting film that celebrates the power of dreams, the importance of perseverance, and the transformative nature of beauty. Lesley Manville's captivating performance, the charming storytelling, and the film's beautiful visual aesthetics make it a must-see for anyone seeking a heartwarming and enchanting cinematic experience.