At our December class we discussed the film “Mrs Harris Goes to Paris”. This was a comedy, drama about a widowed cleaning lady in 1950s London who falls madly in love with a couture Dior dress and decides that she must have one of her own.
There are a range of different characters, but Ada Harris played by Lesley Manville was the main character in the film. Her performance was excellent. Even though the remaining characters were subsidiary, it was her interactions with them and their performances that made the film. Isabelle Huppert is fantastic as Claudine Colbert; her uppity character is the perfect foil to Lesley Manville's kindly approach. Lambert Wilson is great as Marquis de Chassagne, who helps Ada when she first arrives at Dior. Alba Baptista is outstanding as Natasha, a Dior model. Lucas Bravo is excellent as Andre Fauvel, the company accountant. Ellen Thomas (Violet), Rose Williams (Pamela) and Jason Isaacs (archie) are superb.
There were some scenes that were a bit unbelievable, such as Mrs Harris marching into Dior’s office and telling him to listen to his accountant’s advice as to how to save the company. But there were underlying moments of kindness and compassion. And there were some interesting contrasts brought out between the working and upper classes of the 1950s.
It was rated as 4/5. It was an entertaining down to earth film that we all enjoyed.
We look forward to watching and discussing more films in 2023, with our first class on 8 February.
Joy Shirley
There are a range of different characters, but Ada Harris played by Lesley Manville was the main character in the film. Her performance was excellent. Even though the remaining characters were subsidiary, it was her interactions with them and their performances that made the film. Isabelle Huppert is fantastic as Claudine Colbert; her uppity character is the perfect foil to Lesley Manville's kindly approach. Lambert Wilson is great as Marquis de Chassagne, who helps Ada when she first arrives at Dior. Alba Baptista is outstanding as Natasha, a Dior model. Lucas Bravo is excellent as Andre Fauvel, the company accountant. Ellen Thomas (Violet), Rose Williams (Pamela) and Jason Isaacs (archie) are superb.
There were some scenes that were a bit unbelievable, such as Mrs Harris marching into Dior’s office and telling him to listen to his accountant’s advice as to how to save the company. But there were underlying moments of kindness and compassion. And there were some interesting contrasts brought out between the working and upper classes of the 1950s.
It was rated as 4/5. It was an entertaining down to earth film that we all enjoyed.
We look forward to watching and discussing more films in 2023, with our first class on 8 February.
Joy Shirley
