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Movie Review: Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris

Mike Tyrkus

Buoyed by a delightful performance from Lesley Manville as the titular character, Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris manages to outshine even its effervescent lead to produce a heart-warming and emotionally rewarding drama. 

The film relates the tale of recently widowed Ada Harris, who, after becoming entranced by a couture Dior dress, embarks on a quest to purchase one of her own. Suddenly, through a series of fortunate events, Mrs. Harris finds herself on an adventure in Paris that will resonate throughout both her own life and the House of Dior itself. 

The heart and soul of the film rests on the capable shoulders of Lesley Manville, who delivers a tour de force performance as the title character. She is easily the aspect that draws the viewer into the film and thereafter keeps him/her enthralled by the events swirling and unfolding around this extremely likable cleaning lady. Similarly, Isabelle Huppert also shines as Claudine Colbert, the first line of defense at the House of Dior and, consequently, Mrs. Harris’s nemesis (of sorts) for most of the film.  

Also of note are splendid performances courtesy of Lamber Wilson as the Marquis de Chassagne – a potential receptor for Ada’s affections; as well as the tandem of Natasha and André, played by Alba Baptista and Lucas Bravo respectively – who function as the surrogate couple to which Ada also serves as matchmaker. 

Director Anthony Fabian does a fine job in keeping the film moving along as though the audience were on the same whirlwind adventure as Mrs. Harris. This too is accentuated in the script by Fabian, Carroll Cartwright, Keith Thompson, and Olivia Hetreed that deftly translates Paul Gallico’s novel to the screen. The pacing and dramatic highs and lows hit all the proper notes and results in an incredibly entertaining tale of one woman finding the courage to continue to search for the beauty and good in life, despite the bad times that befall her. 

Lesley Manville in “Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris.” Photo by Dávid Lukács – © 2021 Ada Films Ltd – Harris Squared Kft.

Although the crux of the film is the likability of Manville as Mrs. Harris, the look and pacing of the film, provided by cinematographer Felix Wiedemann and editor Barney Pilling are invaluable in bringing together this ensemble piece into such a cohesive and enjoyable package. Similarly, the mise en scène of the film courtesy of Luciana Arrighi’s production design, Nóra Talmaier’s set decoration, and the costumes designed by Jenny Beavan, all echo the sort of whimsical adventure that has besot Mrs. Harris, despite its ominous beginnings. 

Exquisitely charming and effortlessly held together by a delightful performance from Lesley Manville, Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris proves to be an uplifting and thoroughly entertaining film that even the most ardent of curmudgeons will enjoy. 

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Mike Tyrkus

Editor in Chief at CinemaNerdz.com
An independent filmmaker, co-writer and director of over a dozen short films, the Editor in Chief of CinemaNerdz.com has spent much of the last three decades as a writer and editor specializing in biographical and critical reference sources in literature and the cinema, beginning in February 1991 reviewing films for his college newspaper. He was a member of the Detroit Film Critics Society, as well as the group's webmaster and one-time President for over a decade until the group ceased to exist. His contributions to film criticism can be found in Magill's Cinema Annual, VideoHound's Golden Movie Retriever (of which he was the editor for nearly a decade until it too ceased to exist), the International Dictionary of Films and Filmmakers, and the St. James Film Directors Encyclopedia (on which he collaborated with editor Andrew Sarris). He has also appeared on the television program Critic LEE Speaking alongside Lee Thomas of FOX2 and Adam Graham, of The Detroit News. He currently lives in the Detroit area with his wife and their dogs.

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