Charlady wearing haute couture

Ever dare to pursue your dream, to make invisible, visible, in a story revealing class discrimination by the elite.

MRS. HARRIS GOES TO PARIS is the enchanting tale of a seemingly ordinary British housekeeper whose dream to own a couture Christian Dior gown takes her on an extraordinary Parisian adventure. 

In post-World War II  1958, London, hardworking Charlady, Ada Harris (Academy Award® nominee Lesley Manville) earns living cleaning houses and is on the adventure of a lifetime as she seeks to acquire a Christian Dior gown. She’s led a lonely life since her beloved husband Eddie went missing in action, but she’s not the type to brood over any misfortune or to complain about her circumstances. When the ever-pragmatic Ada spies an unimaginably lovely Christian Dior gown hanging in the wardrobe of the master bedroom of a wealthy client, the imperious Lady Dant ( Anna Chancellor), who seems to d[end money freely yet pleads poverty. She’s surprised to feel an overwhelming pang of desire.  She dreamt of owning something so ethereal, so beautiful, a true work of art that could really change things for a person. 

After taking on extra jobs and saving as much as she can—even trying her luck at the race track unsuccessfully —Ada finally can afford to pay for a Dior dress. She bids farewell to close friends Vi (Ellen Thomas) and Archie (Jason Isaacs) and flies to Paris to visit the prestigious House of Dior and turn her dreams into reality.

Yet when she arrives, Ada is met with a series of surprising setbacks, discrimination by the rich elite, not least of which is Dior’s intimidating House of Dior director, Madame Colbert (Academy Award® nominee Isabelle Huppert), who bristles at the very notion of a common charlady wearing haute couture. When Monsieur Dior himself unveils his anticipated 10th-anniversary collection for a select group of the rich elite. Marquis de Chassagne arrives just in time to witness the conflict between Mrs. Harris and Madame Colbert, as the chivalrous gentleman invites Ada to join him at the event as his guest.

As her first choice, a beautiful crimson red dress dubbed “Temptation” is spoken for, she selects an elegant green gown, “Venus”. But Ada is dismayed to learn that it will take weeks to complete since it will be tailored to her exact measurements. With no place to stay and no money to pay for accommodation, she worries that this final setback will keep her from realizing her dream. Just then Dior’s shy accountant, Andre Fauvel, played by French actor Lucas Bravo ( Emily in Paris) steps in and invites Mrs. Harris to stay with him for as long as she would like, as his sister is away, and her bedroom is empty.

No matter, what obstacles are thrown her way, Ada refuses to leave Paris without her dress. Her unwavering commitment charms idealistic Dior accountant André (Lucas Bravo), kindly model Natasha (Alba Baptista), and the aristocratic Marquis de Chassagne (Lambert Wilson), Paris’ most eligible bachelor. Ada soon discovers that in changing her own life, she begins to change the lives of all those around her. She might even help save the House of Dior itself to a new way of thinking from being exclusive for the rich to inclusive of all.

Adapting author Paul Gallico’s 1958 novel Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris for the screen, writer-director Anthony Fabian creates a winning, modern-day fairytale about pursuing your dreams, the power of friendship, and the importance of remaining true to who you are.

Focus Features, in association with eOne and the National Film Institute of Hungary, presents MRS. HARRIS GOES TO PARIS. Lesley Manville. Isabelle Huppert. Jason Isaacs. Ellen Thomas. Anna Chancellor. Lambert Wilson. Alba Baptista. Lucas Bravo. Rose Williams. Music, Rael Jones. Editor, Barney Piling. Costume design, Jenny Beavan. Production design, Luciana Arrighi. Cinematography, Felix Wiedemann. Producers, Guillaume Benski, Xavier Marchand, Anthony Fabian. Screenplay by Carroll Cartwright, Anthony Fabian, Olivia Hetreed, and Keith Thompson, Directed by Anthony Fabian. 

 

MRS. HARRIS GOES TO PARIS