Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris

If you come in expecting to be told a fairytale, you will not be disappointed. It is a well-executed fairytale meant to teach morals as opposed to be realistic. It's 'Cinderella' meets 'The Devil Wears Prada' meets 'Pretty Woman' with a dash of 'The Phantom of the Open'.

Above all: this film is a chocolate chip cookie. We all know what goes into a chocolate chip cookie and we all recognize how one should taste. Despite the familiarity, a chocolate chip cookie done well remains a treat.

Just watched this at my local cinema on a rainy, October afternoon. Got the ice cream and sat down. I loved every minute of this movie and didn't want it to end. The time flew by.

Leslie Manville as the lead is just wonderful, she pulls you in in a believable, nice and relatable manner...she is an impressive actor who oozes style, class and panache...I just adored her in this. The supporting cast compliment in a seam free style and come across as a professional crew who really enjoyed being a part of this fun film. It's confident and light and proud of itself whilst recognising that the audience are there to be entertained and they ain't stupid. Really reccomended for a wet afternoon.

A fun and refreshing afternoon at the movies. Very little drama, some fun lines and totally predictable story. So what? That's what fun movies are for.

Some movies are plainly adorable and become a delightful watch simply because the storyline is straightforward and it appeals to all age groups. This movie set in 1957 Paris is a mix of fairy tale romance and fun filled fulfillment of dreams. Ada Harris works a cleaner woman in upper class homes in London leading a mundane life but she is optimistic all the time ( She keeps saying " It's my lucky day today" ). She sees a very attractive evening gown of Christian Dior, Paris costing 500 pounds in the home of one of her mistresses and is besotted by it. On an impulse she decides to procure one for herself even if it means travelling to Paris to make a purchase. She manages to a gather funds through various means, lands up in Paris but things are not so smooth for her. Since the setting is Paris, can romance be far behind?

A highlight of the movie is the admirable acting of talented Lesley Manville who goes through the gamut of emotions in a light hearted and endearing way. The infectious cheerful demeanour and positive attitude she projects is worth watching. Director Anthony Fabian has made an enchanting , engaging and entertaining movie from an old fashioned tale. It doesn't drag anytime and one can sit through it with interest. One attractive sequence is about models parading in glamorous, exquisite gowns in the premises of Christian Dior, Paris. It is shot and presented in style. The cinematography is attractive specially in the outdoors. Costume design is rightly given prominence and results are amazing no doubt. One is reminded of " Phantom thread" and " The devil wears Prada". One surprising feature is that Paris streets are shown dirty with overflowing dustbins and garbage everywhere. This is unthinkable for a dream city. It is explained away in the movie as strike by the cleaning workers.

What a great little film - albeit more of a woman's picture, but still it has all the elements that are missing in so many films today. Mrs. Harris is a real person - she has optimism; she's older; she has a brain and knows how to use it AND she has heart and soul. She has a dream to own haute couture and goes about making that dream happen. Along the way she meets, befriends and wins over a variety of characters. This is like a kinder, gentler version of THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA. The writing is kind and sweet - nothing that is far out; nothing that would contain any great surprises - its just a sweet little story. Leslie Manville is perfect as Mrs. Harris - you wouldn't mind if she were your mother or grandmother and for all her good-heartedness, you want her to be rewarded. You're not bowled over with $100MM worth of special effects - this is just something to sit back, relax and enjoy. That's why it only made $31MM instead of $500MM. Bravo to Focus pictures.