Wednesday, 5 July 2023

Trading A Duster For A Dior Dream

A friend lent me a DVD over the weekend. I watched it on Monday evening whilst Bob was out at his Parish Council meeting.

Mrs Harris goes to Paris  is based on a Paul Gallico story. Set in the 1950s, it is the story of a  Cor Blimey Cockney Cleaner, who dreams of wearing a Dior gown as glamorous as one owned but one of the ladies for whom she works. Mrs H - played by Lesley Manville - comes into money, and flies off to Paris to buy the dress and live her dream. 
Yes it's predictable - her inability to understand French, and total naivety about how the great fashion house operates, snobbishness and sweetness, sadness and success. And triumph and tragedy. The plot sweeps along, frothy as a ballgown, with moments of sparkle. And ultimately friendship and hope triumph as they should... 

Maybe not "great cinema" but definitely a feelgood movie. I enjoyed it enormously - working on those prom gowns last month really put me in the mood for such a film!
*****


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19 comments:

  1. Bless5 July 2023 at 07:08

    Sounds like a fun movie. :)

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  2. Angela5 July 2023 at 07:17

    I think you'd enjoy it, Bless

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  3. Frugally challenged5 July 2023 at 07:42

    I remember reading Mrs. 'Arris Goes to Paris when I was a teenager and thoroughy enjoying it. Might watch the video but I remember the enchantment of the book. Interesting that the video title changes the original spelling of the title.

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    1. Angela5 July 2023 at 09:38

      It is interesting about the title. The two earlier films (with Gracie Fields & Angela Lansbury) both called her Mrs `Arris. Printed editions of the book appear to be inconsistent about the cockney dropped H.

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  4. SueJay5 July 2023 at 07:45

    I caught up with this one a couple of months ago and agree with your review. I enjoyed it too, especially as I can remember the fifties, with all the glamorous ball gowns of the film stars.

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    1. Angela5 July 2023 at 09:40

      All those lovely New Look swirling skirts and tiny waists, after the austerity of clothes rationing.

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  5. Anonymous5 July 2023 at 08:07

    The Dior exhibition in London a few years ago was crowded but a feast for the eyes. I bought the book - the outfits are works of art.
    Christine

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    1. Angela5 July 2023 at 09:40

      I remember it was on, but could not go. The book must be a delight to look through

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  6. Elizabethd5 July 2023 at 08:25

    I read it many years ago, but found the ending sad.

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  7. Angela5 July 2023 at 09:43

    I am afraid I have not read the book - I suspect the film has altered the ending. I guess Hollywood wants Dior&Disney princesses to always "live happily ever after"! I'm sure if Disney had made "Titanic" , instead of James Cameron, they would have just sailed on past the iceberg...

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  8. Between Me and You5 July 2023 at 11:41

    I think I must have a bit of Mrs. Harris about me! I used to hold up the gowns of my boss in front of the mirror to see what I'd look like 'posh'! Not a hope of ever trying one on, she belonged to 'The League of Thin Ladies'! I really suit real diamond earrings by the way!

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    1. Angela5 July 2023 at 15:14

      Have you noticed that these gowns are only suitable for women with 18" waists?

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  9. Marjorie5 July 2023 at 16:02

    I enjoyed the books so much. I have not seen the movie. I do like Leslie Manville as an actress.

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    1. Angela5 July 2023 at 17:13

      Did you see her in Magpie Murders recently?

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  10. KirstenM5 July 2023 at 16:06

    I hadn't realised there was a book of the film! I'm off to hunt it down.

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    1. Angela5 July 2023 at 17:12

      It was originally published as "Flowers for Mrs Harris"

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  11. Bushlady5 July 2023 at 22:06

    Never heard of the book or the movie, but I think I would enjoy the movie a lot!

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