Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris tells a ‘dazzling’ story of a war widow (Image: Universal Pictures )
If you’re looking for a delightful period drama to watch this Saturday evening, then you’re in luck.
Award-winning actress Lesley Manville stars in the moving Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris, a heartwarming film about a woman who has worked hard all her life and finally sets off to achieve her dream of owning the perfect dress.
Airing at 6:45pm tonight (July 11) on Channel 4, the poignant film tells the story of widow Ada Harris.
The movie is based on the 1958 best-selling novel by author Paul Gallico, originally titled Flowers for Mrs. Harris in the UK.
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Set during the 1950s, Ada has dedicated her life to strenuous labour so when she unexpectedly comes into possession of a war widow’s pension, she makes the brave decision to set off for the French capital in search of some haute couture.
Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris will air on television this evening (Image: Universal Pictures )
Dreaming of a custom-made Dior gown, she sets her sights on a scarlet number and accidentally stumbles into the fashion house’s 10th anniversary show.
The new screen adaptation of Paul’s novel stars Lesley as Ada, Isabelle Huppert as Claudine Colbert, Lambert Wilson as Marquis de Chassagne and Jason Isaacs as Archie, among others.
Released in 2022, Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris has proved to be a big hit with both critics and fans alike, who loved its feel-good factor and “exceptional” acting.
On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an impressive 94 percent rating. One person hailed the show as dazzling: “Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris, starring Lesley Manville, dazzles from start to finish while brimming with unparalleled hope.”
A second wrote: “This is almost pure wish fulfillment fantasy, but it’s delivered with confidence and style.”
Lesley Manville leads the cast in the period movie Mrs. Harris Goes To Paris (Image: Jeff Spicer/Getty Images for Universal)
A third chimed in: “Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris takes its audience on a whimsical journey from London to Paris, imbued with charm, wit, and a sprinkling of fairytale escapism, punctuated by some French revolutionary spirit.”
After Mrs. ‘Arris Goes to Paris was released in 1958, the author put out three subsequent titles: Mrs. ‘Arris Goes to New York (1960), Mrs. ‘Arris Goes to Parliament (1965) and Mrs. ‘Arris Goes to Moscow (1974).
The British titles differ in the subsequent books as well: Mrs. Harris Goes to New York, Mrs. Harris MP, and Mrs. Harris Goes to Moscow.
Although they all focused on the same protagonist, the novels clearly took Ada to different parts of the world and told differing narratives.
Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris airs at 6:45 pm on Channel 4