The new film Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris is fresh and clever, and perfectly suited to a NextTribe audience, because instead of a young ingenue, the character who goes through an Ugly-Duckling-like transformation, who is romanced and celebrated is a middle-aged woman with, it seems, little chance of excitement in her life.

The acclaimed British actor Lesley Manville plays Mrs. Harris, a hardworking cleaning lady from Battersea, South London, whisks away the detritus of her wealthy and spoiled clients. She is the picture of discretion, both indispensable and yet invisible to her “betters.”

She is the picture of discretion, both indispensable and yet invisible to her “betters.”

Still pining for her Eddie, missing in action as a young soldier in World War II, Ada Harris is too kind and too timid to stand up to anyone who takes advantage of her good nature. But through a series of fortunate events, and perhaps a miracle or two, she finds herself with a financial windfall. When she spies a fabulous frock in a wealthy client’s wardrobe, she sets her sights on a trip to Paris to buy herself a Dior gown. 

Late 1950s Paris is not the glittering city she imagined. The streets are filthy with uncollected trash piled up, workers are on strike, and the House of Dior is in serious danger of shutting down. It turns out Mrs Harris’ hard-earned cash is welcomed, even if they aren’t exactly rolling out the red carpet for the likes of her. In an almost dream-like scene, we see Mrs Harris in the inner sanctum of the Dior atelier, blissfully gazing at the models parading in gorgeous couture gowns.

“500 quid!  For a frock!”  But what a frock!  

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Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris: Perfect Escapism

This was the perfect escapist film for a hellishly hot summer day last week. Austin NextTribers cheered and clapped as we watched our heroine navigate the rarefied world of haute couture and Parisian society. The imperious head of the atelier, Claudine Colbert, played by the luminous 70-year-old Isabelle Huppert, tells her, “A Dior dress is designed to astonish and delight. How will you do that, Mrs. Harris?”

The best part is Mrs. Harris is her own Fairy Godmother.

Who hasn’t imagined themselves clinging to a gorgeous young man on a Vespa, zipping through the City of Light? Or being courted by a dignified and wealthy marquis? Then being adored and befriended by both young and old and finally being “seen”? I couldn’t help but find myself tearing up a little as we witnessed Mrs. Harris, joyful as she’s being fitted for a gown worthy of Cinderella. Once she gains confidence, she encourages her new friends to be bold themselves, and to be true to their own aspirations. As Mrs. Harris acquires her dream dress, she makes the more significant step of allowing true love and real romance back into her life. 

And the best part, Mrs. Harris is her own Fairy Godmother.

The film takes place within an interesting backdrop of late 1950s political turmoil. Workers are protesting the elites who have burdened them with crushing taxes. A young model is more interested in reading Sartre and discussing existentialism than becoming part of the glitterati. The city of Paris is both gritty, and romantic, reflecting Mrs. Harris’ life.

After publishing Mrs. ‘Arris Goes to Paris in 1958, the author Paul Gallico wrote three sequels. I’m betting we’ll see more of Ada Harris, her best friend Vi, and perhaps even that roguish Irish bookie Archie back on the silver screen in the future.

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