Watch Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris

Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris is a charming and heartwarming tale of resilience, dreams, and the timeless allure of haute couture, set in the 1950s and recounting the story of a humble London housekeeper whose earnest wish transforms her life. Directed by Anthony Fabian, the film is an adaptation of the 1958 novel "Mrs. 'Arris Goes to Paris" by Paul Gallico. The movie stars Lesley Manville in the title role, alongside esteemed actors Isabelle Huppert and Lambert Wilson. With stunning period costumes and a rich, nostalgic production design, audiences are transported back in time to an era where elegance and grace permeated the world of fashion.

Lesley Manville plays Ada Harris, a widowed cleaning lady who works for the well-to-do households of London. Mrs. Harris is a character brimming with optimism, good cheer and kindness, traits that never falter even in the sometimes drab reality of post-war England. She lives a quiet, unassuming life, yet possesses a spirit and curiosity much larger than the confines of her everyday world. Manville's performance radiates a contagious sincerity that anchors the movie's emotional throughline.

One day, Mrs. Harris stumbles upon the gorgeous creation of a Christian Dior dress in a client's wardrobe, and it's love at first sight. The dress becomes more than a mere article of clothing; it represents beauty, elegance, and a life she has always imagined but never pursued. Seized by a sudden and unshakable determination, Mrs. Harris embarks on an adventure to Paris with the goal of acquiring her own Dior gown. This quest, driven by her unpretentious aspiration, puts the story in motion.

Paris of the 1950s is a character in its own right, captured with a painterly touch by the cinematography, and it serves as the enchanting backdrop where much of the narrative unfolds. Mrs. Harris experiences the allure of the City of Light and the exclusive world of high fashion, which couldn't be further away from her life in London. She steps into the esteemed atelier of Dior and immediately becomes a fish out of water—a challenge she embraces with the buoyancy of someone who has nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Isabelle Huppert plays Claudine Colbert, a haughty and meticulous saleswoman at the Dior boutique, who initially views Mrs. Harris with suspicion and disdain. Huppert's performance injects a note of French sophistication and snobbery that contrasts sharply with Mrs. Harris's English friendliness and earnestness, creating a dynamic that offers both tension and comedy. Lambert Wilson enters the scene as the Marquis de Chassagne, encountering Mrs. Harris through a series of events that intertwine their lives in unexpected ways.

As Mrs. Harris navigates the ins and outs of the fashion house—making the most of seemingly insurmountable social and economic barriers—she captivates those around her with her genuine nature and her appreciation for the artistry of dressmaking. The film's exploration of the inner workings of Dior showcases the meticulous craftsmanship and labor of love that goes into creating a single couture dress, a process that mirrors Mrs. Harris's own dedication and attention to her personal goals.

Throughout her journey, Mrs. Harris meets a cast of characters that become integral to her Parisian adventure: there's the kind and handsome accountant André Fauvel (Lucas Bravo), and Natasha, a rebellious model at Dior played by Alba Baptista, each bringing their own stories, dilemmas, and dreams into the fold. These interactions reflect themes of friendship, solidarity, and the challenges faced in the fashion industry and society at large. The film explores the transformative power of couture, not only on those who wear it but also on those who create it and invest it with meaning.

Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris offers an enchanting escape, suffused with a feel-good narrative and characters who exemplify compassion and perseverance. It is a visually sumptuous ode to fashion, aspiration, and the strength of the human spirit. The movie delves into the dichotomy of the post-war social classes while also celebrating the interconnectedness of people, proving that beautiful dreams can unite, inspire, and effect change irrespective of one's social standing.

The film's score, tinged with light-hearted and earnest compositions, supports the narrative's uplifting tone, conveying both Mrs. Harris's joy and the occasional pathos of her mission. The careful balance of wit, emotion, and stunning period details create a cinematic experience that uplifts without becoming saccharine, speaking to viewers' aspirations and the kindness we can find in unexpected places.

In conclusion, Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris is a delightful cinematic fairytale that serves as a reminder of the magic of dreaming big and the adventures that can unfold when someone believes in the beauty of their dreams, no matter how outlandish they may seem. It's a film that sews together elements of significant social commentary, the opulence of haute couture, and the universal underdog storyline into an affectionate portrait of determination and delight.

Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris is a 2022 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 55 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.1 and a MetaScore of 70.