Yes, No, Maybe So? 'Mrs Harris Goes to Paris'
Thursday, April 28, 2022 at 3:00PM by Nathaniel R
Lesley Manville stars as Mrs. Harris in director Tony Fabian’s MRS.HARRIS GOES TO PARIS, a Focus Features release. Credit: Dávid Lukács / © 2021 Ada Films Ltd - Harris Squared Kft
Rejoice. We now have the first poster, the first still, and the first trailer for Mrs Harris Goes to Paris, a rare chance to see Lesley Manville take a deserved spotlight rather than just livening up a show or film from the sidelines. Focus Features is releasing the film on July 15th. Can we have a round of applause for Focus which feels like its come roaring back of late between this, Downton Abbey A New Era, Licorice Pizza, The Northman, and Belfast of late?
Let's look at the poster and the trailer after the jump...
The pitch is like so:
The enchanting tale of a seemingly ordinary British housekeeper whose dream to own a couture Christian Dior gown takes her on an extraordinary adventure to Paris.
And here's the trailer...
Looking at that here's our Yes No Maybe So...
YES - Lesley Manville is always a yes. We came to appreciate her gifts through the filmography of Mike Leigh (Topsy Turvy and Another Year were her best showcases therein) and of course recently she was Oscar nominated for Phantom Thread and made a delicious villain on Harlots (2017-2019) but UK audiences have had a lot more than us to enjoy given her frequent work on British TV. The supporting cast is wonderful too including silver fox Lambert Wilson, Jason Isaacs, and Alba Baptiste. The costumes -- always a big deal in films about fashion -- are from the one and only Jenny Beavan (Mad Max Fury Road, A Room With a View, Cruella)
NO - This is not really about the movie but how absolutely rude / strange is it that Isabelle Huppert doesn't get a title card in this trailer? It's Academy Award nominated legend Isabelle Huppert in a movie about going to PARIS for f***s sake! She's been an international star for multiple decades now and has recently amassed a new generation of devout fans. On the other hand is she really just saddled with a one dimensional elitist villain role here? Uh oh.
MAYBE SO - This looks transported in directly from mainstream-friendly Miramax arthouse confections of the mid 90s to early 00s which could mean that it's an utterly disposable sweets or a delightful Francophile/Anglophile-courting confection. We won't know until we're watching it which we most definitely will.
So, we're a yes whether or not it's any good but we hope it's magnifique. You?
Reader Comments (15)
I'm an absolute YES. The trailer is totes adorable and super charming.
Also, I do find it strange that La Huppert is SECOND BILLED on the poster, yet she doesn't have a solo card for her in the trailer. She seems to have a MAJOR part in the film! I'm guessing that since La Manville is the lead character, Focus decided that she was the only one needed to be named?
This feels like the perfect summer film to watch to avoid all the ones with explosions. While I suspect it will be enjoyable, I also hope it's good. This seems like the perfect little "summer delight" type film that could score Manville a Golden Globe nomination.
I don't think I'm so bothered on Isabelle not getting her own title card. For American audiences, this is the type of film that appeals to a certain type of older woman, so it matters far more that it's "based on a novel" and that the trailer looks good than any of the stars. I also think that Isabelle, while a legend, isn't that well known in the U.S. The people that see her in the trailer and are fans will be sold - they don't need to see her name.
Abso-freakin-lutely, YES! Paul Gallico's short novels (this one, The Snow Goose, Thomasina, etc.) are among my favorites from childhood.
And Lesley Manville? And Isabelle Huppert? What's not to love? For folks who want to see a different, softer side of the great Manville, please do check out the three seasons of the TV series, MUM, written by Stefan Golaszewski (who also has a new series in the works starring Nicola Walker and Sean Bean).
No solo title card for Madame Huppert? BLASPHEMY!!!!!
Going against the grain here (and on my first post, no less!)
NO. The original story is a charming one about a quiet, subservient lady who brings others together. This Power-To-The-People remake is about a woman who challenges the system at every turn. There is no redemption, no reason to cheer Mrs Harris for finding her courage.
Pardon me but ….. boring!
Nothing against Lesley Manville, the original had Angela Landsbury, Diana Rigg, Omar Sharif - I mean, what else can one want? Catch it on YouTube and tell me you didn’t love it.
Absolutely endorse Pam's comment regarding MUM. The series is slightly unusual (in a very good way), and may not have worked if it wasn't for the unbelievable skills of Ms Mnville, bringing a complicated character to heart-breaking life. Every LM fan must see it.
I was prepared to say no, but the trailer was so charming. Just looks like a good, sweet time.
It's a YES and I cannot wait to see this at a 9:45 am matinee some random Saturday in July with only 3 other people in attendance.
Spanky -- WELCOME! i didn't even know there was an original version so i'll have to seek that out.
I have a lot of love for the original movie & Angela Lansbury’s endearing performance in it. As a matter of fact, the reason I still have a VCR is because I can’t find this particular film on a DVD that will play in US machines. That said, it is very much a 90s TV movie, and I look forward to the big-screen update.
PS: If you ever need contributors for a Lansbury retrospective of some kind, give me a holler!
This is giving me slight Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day vibes. Which is a good thing, since I found that movie quite charming and rather underrated.
I don't even need to watch the trailer to judge. Manville and Huppert? That is a YES.
I too thought it odd Isabelle didn't get a title card.
I'll definitely see it. It looks lovely. I wonder if the costumes are actually Dior or if theyve been designed?
Manville is enough for me to see this. But setting it in Paris and having Huppert on board. How can we resist?
That Supporting Actress lineup for 2017 is pretty impressive. Manville's performance in Phantom Thread is delicious. It's one of the surprise nominations that makes you feel really good about the Oscars every once in a while. I will always be sad that Laurie Metcalf didn't win for her stunnin work in Lady Bird. One of the worst decisions ever made by the Academy.