Based on Paul Gallico's 1958 novel about a widowed cleaning lady in London whose dream is to buy an extravagant designer dress in Paris, Anthony Fabian directs and co-writes the screenplay of Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris. Joining Fabian in writing the screenplay are Carroll Cartwright, Keith Thompson, and Olivia Hetreed. Along with a very talented cast, they work marvelously well together in creating a delightful film that is sure to please just about anyone who goes to see it. The story is appealing, the aesthetics are pleasing, and the experience is altogether elegant.
Mrs. Ada Harris (Lesley Manville) works hard, lives frugally but joyfully, and comes through for many people who need her help. She is an incredibly generous soul but is also able to stand up for herself and others when necessary. And when she sees Lady Dant's (Anna Chancellor) beautiful designer dress, she decides she wants one too. Her determination coupled with some good fortune provides her with the means to go to Paris to purchase one. When she arrives at the Maison Dior, there is a collection to be shown. She is initially refused entry, but the Marquis de Chassagne (Lambert Wilson) asks Mrs. Harris to accompany him. There, she witnesses the most amazing designer dresses she could ever dream of. She is determined to buy one worn by the beautiful mannequin, Natasha (Alba Baptista). However, drama and misfortune get in the way of Mrs. Harris's wish to bring that dress back across the Channel for all of London to see. To succeed, she needs to create her own fortune, motivate others, and get timely help from some new friends.
The film has plenty of things going for it, including an all-around solid performance from the entire cast, especially Manville. As with several previous roles, Wilson plays a bilingual character with great charisma. Lucas Bravo holds his own in his role of André Fauvel, though his character's shyness is a tad overdone. Isabelle Huppert is sterling in her role as the professional but rigid Claudine Colbert. Rose Williams, Ellen Thomas, and Jason Isaacs contribute to the diverse and lively cast of characters in the London scenes. It is interesting to note, however, that compared with the gaudy Parisian scenes, London is mostly plain. This is most likely to highlight both the flashiness of the fashion world and Mrs. Harris's dream to experience the Haute Couture as well as for her to get a short time away from the mundane routine. Cinematographer Felix Wiedemann captures this expertly. Not to be outdone, Rael Jones puts together a soundtrack that is just as fitting as the designer dresses. The filmmakers' choices are consistently on point, and whenever there seems to be a lull, something happens at just the right moment.
In scenes where both languages are used, it generally appears natural to switch back and forth between French and English. For a couple of them (including when André is making his plea before Dior), it is fair to question if it might have been more reasonable to stick with French. This choice is most likely made for the audience's ease, though it could be argued that it makes the dialogue slightly uneven. Viewers familiar with Paris may also notice that Natasha does not take Mrs. Harris directly to Montmartre from Avenue Montaigne, but instead goes almost in the opposite direction to see the Eiffel Tower. But who could blame Mrs. Harris if she wanted to take a detour? After all, it is certainly within her character.
Ernest Hemingway famously stated that "if you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, then wherever you go for the rest of your life, it stays with you…" Thanks to Fabian's direction and Manville's flawless portrayal of Mrs. Harris, it is reasonable to believe that the same can be said for a middle-aged woman. For just as clearly as she arrives back in England as the same generous woman, something is different; she has added the fragrance and charm of Paris and wears it willingly on her smile.