Mrs. Harris Goes To Paris

 Sometimes, it's amazing the width of an author's bibliography.

Like Paul Gallico, for example. His novel, The Poseidon Adventure, defined the disaster movie genre in 1972. He also wrote of one Mrs. Harris and her disaster-free life. Her first book, Mrs. 'Arris Goes to Paris, was adapted for TV in 1992. It's now in theatres and home media as Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris. Let's see how it is.

London, 1957. Mrs. Harris (Lesley Manville) is a cleaning lady living the best she can. She's motivated by a client's Dior dress to get one herself. One day, her good luck piles up and she's a wealthier woman. She hops on the first plane to Paris to get one from the Fashion House itself.

Mrs. Harris is met with skepticism by Dior director Colbert (Isabelle Huppert). But she gets support from Marquis de Chassagne (Lambert Wilson) and Dior employees Andre (Lucas Bravo) and Natasha (Alba Baptista). Mrs. Harris's outlook helps enrichen the lives of her new acquaintances. That's basically the whole movie, but it's hard to complain with a cast of likable characters.

Colbert and other Dior traditionalists might gawk at Mrs. Harris's goals. But they don't know her like we do. We see her optimism tested spectacularly within the first twenty minutes. Her desired dress is not just a pretty "frock," but a symbol of a better life. Why shouldn't she have it? Manville as Mrs. Harris is likable enough that we easily ask that question. It's endearingly silly when her wealth rapidly piles up and it's quite nice when her new acquaintances come through after a sudden twist. It's a blunt, yet entertaining treatise, on how goodness is eventually rewarded.

What about the rest of the cast? The least likable character is the snobbish Madame Avallon, Mrs. Harris's rival for a Dior. Colbert goes from uptight to pitiable during the course of the film. Lambert is fun as the Marquis, while Bravo and Baptista are fine as Andre and Natasha. Rose Williams is good as Pamela, a client of Mrs. Harris, whose carelessness kicks off the ending. Phillipe Bertin makes the most of his screentime as Christian Dior himself.

The Dior fashion show Mrs. Harris attends is a strong showcase for Jenny Beavan's costume designs. One alluring dress after the other after the other. Her work here is just as splendid as her recently Oscar-awarded work in Cruella. These designs inhabit an equally impressive rendition of 50's Europe visualized by Luciana Arrighi. Rael Jones's romantic score thankfully takes center stage on the soundtrack. Hopefully, we'll hear more about it the next few months.

The Mrs. Harris books always escaped my notice. I barely even remember that the 1992 film existed. But I'll remember this take on Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris. Its dramedic charms will liven up your post summer - or late summer - boredom. Its optimistic protagonist won't leave your mind after her film's 115 minutes. I'll let you choose where to see it, but I think it's best with company.