MRS HARRIS GOES TO PARIS

UK, 2022, 115 minutes, Colour.

Lesley Manville, Isabelle Huppert, Lambert Wilson, Alba Baptista, Lucas Bravo, Ellen Thomas, Rose Williams, Jason Isaacs, Anna Chancellor, Christian McKay, Freddie Fox, Philippe Bertin.

Directed by Anthony Fabian.

Blimey! And je ne sais quoi (many times over)! For those under 40, who intend to take their mother and/or their grandmother to see a film, this is an answer to prayer.

We are in London, amongst the working class, 1957. And we are introduced to Mrs Ada Harris. She is a diligent housecleaner, seeing her at work in various untidy places, and at the service of some rich families (who find reasons not to pay her on time). Her husband has disappeared during the war with no trace. She still grieves for him.

This film is based on a novel by Paul Gallico (prolific writer, sports commentator, film reviewer, many novels and short stories including The Snow Goose and, possibly best known for The Poseidon Adventure). He wrote four novels about Mrs ‘Arris (the present film being pronunciation incorrect but looking more grammatical so to speak). There was a previous version for television starring Angela Lansbury.

This time it is Leslie Manville, an experienced actress with a wide range, well remembered for several Mike Leigh films. She is a lively character and endears herself to most people – and to the audience.

The film is something of a fairytale, if only… Ada Harris sees a Dior dress, told that it costs £500. And this becomes her dream, saving up the pennies and pounds, discovering she is entitled to a war widow’s pension, following the pools each week and winning, gradually building up some money but, with her close friend and co-worker, Violet (Ellen Thomas) and a genial rogue bookmaker, Archie (Jason Isaacs) from Northern Ireland, she risks her money on the greyhounds, and loses. Nevertheless, the dream becomes more intense and, gradually, she finds she can get her passport and is on the plane to Paris, just to buy the dress and return after 24 hours.

And, so, from the streets and houses of London, we find ourselves with Mrs Harris in Paris, a dingy start because the plane is late, the streets are full of uncollected garbage, a genial homeless man guiding her towards the house of Dior. It is fashion show day and, in helping someone out, she finds herself in the building, the wealthy passing into the room where she was first in the queue! And she finds the villain of the film, Madame Colbert, the manager (Isabelle Huppert) who takes every opportunity to oust her. But, there is always a gallant Frenchman about, a Marquis, widower, charming (Lambert Wilson) who takes Mrs Harris and his wing. While the fashion show is designed for the clientele, it is also designed for the cinema audience.

(Recently there was the French film Haute Couture, contemporary, but also taking into the world of fashion and the Dior company.)

The important thing for the company is that Mrs Harris actually has cash and that is in short supply at Dior. So, she is measured for her dress, absolutely entranced, making friends with the staff, some matchmaking with the financial manager who has invited her to stay in his sister’s room while she is in Paris, and to wear her clothes, the manager attracted to one of the models who would much prefer to be a student.

Sightseeing in Paris, the Marquis paying great attention to her, taking her to a show, a whole different world from what she was used to.

Mrs Harris would have made a great organiser if she had been in a union in the UK. There is a wonderful sequence where many of the women have been sacked by Madame Colbert, are on strike, rounded up by Mrs Harris, gathering all the rest of the staff, wanting to confront Mr Dior himself and for Andre to explain his plans for the extension of the company, to reach out to ordinary women. She is triumphant. She gets her dress and goes home.

Dream fulfilled – but not quite - she is generous, but suffers a setback with her dress, but, in the world of Dior, all is well and the fairytale comes to a happy end and we leave the cinema content.

1. Memories of Britain in the 1950s? Ada Harris as an archetypal character? Class distinctions, cleaning lady, dreams, aspirations, Paris and Dior as a dream?
2. The London settings, the period, streets, homes, clubs, the contrast with Paris, though the garbage and streets, the tour of Paris, the house of Dior, the interiors, the fashion show? The musical score?
3. Lesley Manville’s portrait of Mrs Harris, age, her husband lost in the war, the news coming about his death, a war widow, photo, devotion to him? The return of the ring?
4. Pondering on the bridge, her hopes? Her work, the untidy actress, Lady Dant and the Dior dress, Lady Dant not paying her? Fascinated by the dress? Her decision to buy a dress?
5. The money situation, the officer arriving with the news of her husband’s death, her antipathy, his giving her the pension? Her work, savings? Friendship with Archie, going to the greyhound racing, risking the hundred pounds, the complete failure? Archie and his giving some money back? Gradually getting enough money?
6. Violet, friend, bus trips, conversations, the conductor and his friendship? The work together? Ada confiding in Violet? At the races and the money loss?
7. Alfie, Northern Ireland, the bookie, his charm, at the races, not wanting to take her bet, the aftermath? The end, and their dancing together?
8. Preparation for Paris, the passport? On the plane, falling asleep? Late? Going to the depot, the friendly homeless men, the man guiding her to Dior? At the end, returning to him, and their helping and pointing out Natasha?
9. At Dior, the day of the show, the guests arriving, Natasha dropping her purse, Mrs Harris pursuing her, getting into the building? The reactions of Madame,Colbert, haughty? The variety of reactions? The Marquis, gallant, accompanying her, the seat, the arrogant woman and her daughter, even hitting Mrs Harris? The fashion show, the number of gowns, for the audience as well as a film audience? Mrs Harris and her choice, the haughty woman taking it, Mrs Harris and her second choice?
10. The financial situation, needed cash, the future and Dior credit? Andre, his management, inviting Mrs Harris to his apartment, to wear his sister’s clothes? And the friendship with Natasha, her existentialist book, Mrs Harris on crime stories? Her cleaning up the apartment with Natasha, the meal?
11. The staff and Dior, friendly to Mrs Harris? Carre and the measurements, his manner? Madame Colbert and her interventions?
12. The Marquis, walking the dog, going to the flower market, the roses, the invitation to her, the tea, his reminiscing about the domestic lady at school? Mrs Harris interpreting this is condescending and leaving?
13. The night out on the town, the Marquis, the meal, the show? Her drinking, the next morning, late, Carre and his refusing to do the measurements? But impressed by her sewing? Her being ousted? The support of the staff, their showing her around the cutting rooms and the plant?
14. Her matchmaking with Andre and Natasha? Andre and his shyness? His hopes for the company?
15. Mrs Harris, returning, the women on strike, gathering together, marching through the establishment, gathering all the women, the confronting with Madame Colbert, determining to see Dior, Andre in his office, going into Dior’s office, letting Andre make his explanations about adaptations for Dior, reaching out to a range of women? Madame Colbert and her resigning?
16. The touch of the fairytale? The visit to Madame Colbert, looking after her husband, the plea to her, her change of heart?
17. The importance of Mrs Harris having the cash, and the delivery of the dress, her happy time in Paris?
18. At home? the actress coming, desperate, Mrs Harris and the decision to blend her the dress, the next morning, the burnt dress? Her sadness? The media, the French media? The discussions with the violet? With Archie?
19. The message from Paris, the dress, news of the accident in the French paper, the reputation of Dior? With Archie and Violet, going to the dance, wearing the dress, her entry, dancing with Archie?