Mrs. 'Arris Goes to Paris

The title of this movie makes it sound like some kind of child's movie where some little old woman has a series of events in a strange town. Well, it is all true, but I don't know if children would find this story as touching as it is.

Ada Harris wants to buy a Dior dress and "scrimps and saves and slaves" for three years to get it. But upon arrival in Paris to buy a dress from "Dior's dress Shop", she begins to encounter all sorts of mishaps, including the Dior director who refuses to let her have a dress because she is common.

To get these out of the way, there are many parts of this film that are unbelievable. For instance, it supposedly takes place in 1953 but there are many scenes in the film where it seems like modern times. It is also highly bloody unlikely that that many things could happen to the same woman and her naivete, while being likely, is overcome way too easily in the film, but that's HOLLYWOOD!

But every little petty detail in this film can be easily overlooked by the delightful presence of Angela Lansbury! She is just absolutely terrific in a role that, while supposed to be lightly entertaining and kind of frivolous, she makes touch your heart. She is so wonderful and makes you feel so sorry for this old lady!

And then she is backed by a wonderful supporting cast, most wonderfully, Diana Rigg, as the show director at Dior, as well as the characters of Natasha, Andre, and, of course, Omar Sharif as the Marquis who befriends Mrs. 'Arris.

Fan of Lansbury or not, you cannot go wrong with this movie and you will love it!

Now I am not going to say that this is the best movie ever or anything, but I loved Mrs 'Arris Goes To Paris. It is truly delightful and very charming, with a nice message especially. The story is nice and simple, and is one that never meanders with many charming scenes. The film is nice to look at as well, no special effects or anything just some nice rosy cinematography and Parisian scenery, that's more than enough for me. The music is lovely, delightful and somewhat authentic too, and the script is nice and fluffy like, as I have said already, a soufflé. The direction is good too, but it is in the acting where the film really shines. Angela Lansbury is wonderful yet again, while Diana Rigg is stunning and Omar Shariff charming. So overall, a really nice and pleasant little film. 10/10 Bethany Cox

There number gets less every year but I tell you Ms.Lansbury is one of the last icons of movies,theatre,singing and T.V. She has garnished four emmies 15 nominations in all. tonnies,academy awards nominations.She never seems to age but one of her most popular movies in the mid-fifties with Frank Sinatra, "The Manchurian Canidate". In that role she played the mother of the presidential candidate, in reality she was only three years older than actor Larence Harvey the English actor who played her son, she was only 36.However I apologize for the diversion. In "Mrs. Arris Goes to Paris" you see a determined strong willed English woman walking the extra mile or so, to work to save every possible way she could to save up enough for one of the priceless and elegant dresses. Though almost predictable with her charm and personality who can see her winning the hearts of people in "the know" one by one.This movie lifts one's hearts at a time in the world where we need a little fantasy a good feeling and a excellent actress, Angela to come to the rescue.Thank You bcpmd

This is a lovely story, both funny and a little sad perhaps, but altogether heartwarming. It's sort of like a children's Disney movie, but for grown ups. My favorite, Angela Lounsbury, isn't sleuthing in Cabot Cove here, but instead is totally appealing and sympathetic as the determined 1953 London char lady, Mrs. Ada Harris, who has long dreamed of owning an original Dior gown.

Mrs. Harris has managed to scrimp and save enough money to make the trip to Paris to fulfill her dream of buying a Dior designer dress. However, it turns out to be not a simple task, but one fraught both with unpleasant obstacles and unexpected friendships. First, she must deal with the snooty behavior of some in the expensive fashion world including that nasty snob, Mr. Armont, who seeks to thwart her efforts, and later on some prying customs officials. Meanwhile, along the way, she befriends a handsome count, Marquis Hippolite, who is troubled by family issues (an estranged daughter) and plays matchmaker to a young couple, the lovely model, Natasha, and the shy but noble Andre.

Of course this tale isn't very realistic or believable, but I don't know that it's intended to be. That's why I've called it magical. There's plenty of realism in everyday life, and this is a sweet story.

In addition to Angela Lounsbury, other cast members include Diana Rigg as the House of Dior's show director, the efficient but fair minded Mme. Colbert, and the incomparably handsome and magnetic Omar Sharif as the Marquis Hippolite.

Angela Lounsbury makes her cleaning lady character every bit as endearing as the actress herself. The viewer gets a sense of how very hard this woman has worked all her life, how few luxuries she's ever had, and simply must cheer Mrs. 'Arris on through all the stumbling blocks to, hopefully, her very own beautiful Dior gown. She is so kind hearted that goodness flows from her to everyone she encounters during her Parisian stay. However, she won't be trifled with, as those who oppose her goal discover. This is a delightful, touching escapist story, a real treasure.

These days it has become a rarity to find a good movie not aided by special effects, blood or sex. It was a real pleasure to watch this small, honest and humble film, quietly following the tradition of those movies we had almost forgotten. I bet the glorious Angela Lansbury should have enjoyed acting as much as we enjoyed watching it. Well, my mother commented shortly on this movie: just like Cinderella... I cannot argue with that.