Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris

By: Jamie Steinberg

Bonjour! Ada (Lesley Manville) is a London-based war widow that makes ends meet by working as a humble housekeeper. Quickly she endears herself to the audience and we are soon seeing her lay eyes on a Dior dress that belongs to one of her wealthy clients and it is love at first sight. As we watch Ada find her passion with fashion, so too will viewers with the newly released film Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris.

Ada may not be one of the elites, but the pretty prints and hopeful florals she finds in couture clothes that inspire her desire to obtain finer things. We watch her save up enough money (with a little help from some friends) to buy the dress of her dreams and, after some chance encounters, we see her standing in the House of Dior – a/k/a her version of Mecca! There she finds friends in the label’s head (Isabelle Huppert) and accountant (Lucas Bravo) and even a suitor (Lambert Wilson) who are eager to have them join her at an upcoming fashion show.

Oscar-winning costume designer Jenny Beavan does an exceptional job at creating and recreating beautiful clothing from the time period. There is an emerald-green gown called “Venus” that stands out as a personal favorite from the dresses featured. (Needless to say, it looks exceptional on Ada.)

My only point of contention would be that Ada moves in quite quickly with Andre and his top model (Alba Baptista) in order to live out her life in the “City of Lights.” Plus, she is fast to find herself in the good graces and trust of all she encounters – could she not have one naysayer? Otherwise, director Anthony Fabian creates a feel-good film that truly makes you want only good things or our dear Mrs. Harris.

If you’re looking for something uplifting and a little bit light, check out Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris. The gorgeous gowns and good vibes the movie offers make it worth watching this fashionable film.