Savoring Paris

Who would I be with if you don't know who you are?

Ella up and leaves her job for a three week vacation in Paris. Her plan is to recreate a beautiful experience she had in her youth eating a particularly heavenly cheese along the Seine. She also is hoping to find herself. She ends up renting a room from a woman named Clotilde, who has never worked because she has "family money". After visiting a grumpy cheese vender, Ella has her picnic along the Seine where she meets the young, handsome and flirty food critic Gaston who ends up being Clotilde's cousin. In a short period of time Clotilde convinces Ella to quit her job back home and stay for the summer...

Living off her savings Ella buys a whole new amazing French wardrobe and "interns" in the grumpy cheese-man's shop selling cheese.

If you don't take this Hallmark romance too seriously, it is a cute romance with cheese, great clothes and Paris. Things I liked about the film...the music, the clothing, Manon Azem (Clotilde), Ben Wiggins (Gaston), and Bethany Joy Lenz (Ella). Ella's attitude was fun and infectious and in the end I really enjoyed the relationship she built with Serge. The thing I didn't care for was the perpetuation of this idea that you can just quit your job and everything will work out. I think that is really shortsighted and sends poor message to our youth.

Indulge, be bold and savor...Ella.

The end made this film worth watching as a romantic, so I would recommend it to my fellow romantics particularly those fond of Hallmark films.

Many of us enjoy watching Hallmark movies, some more than others, and usually depending on the lead actors and the overall story. But once in a while a movie comes along that is just so wonderful and entertaining, engaging us right from the first scene, and wishing it could last just a bit longer. This movie is definitely one of those. Bethany Lenz is already one of my favourites, but in this movie she brings such a light and joy to her character, with bits of humour and some touching moments. The secondary characters also add to the story with their unique personalities and interesting back stories of their own. Ella represents many of us that wish we could have been more brave and bold in pursuing a life that would bring happiness and fulfillment. We are cheering her on in her quest to find out who she really wants to be and the life that will help her to achieve her goals. I also loved how her outfits change as she becomes part of the Parisian scene and their love of fashion. Serge, the grump is adorable and of course, we know that eventually she will win him over. The ending comes too soon but is just perfect. Well done, Hallmark. This is a winner and one that we will watch again and again.

As she is for many on this site, Bethany Joy Lenz is one of my favorite actresses in Hallmark romances. In this film, she plays the part of Ella Weber, a corporate burnout who is ready to change her life. On a whim, she walks out of the office and hops a flight to Paris, where she particularly wants to indulge in the cheeses. In no time at all, she is in a fromagerie, where the proprietor is dubious of her American sensibilities, but she obtains a slab that delights her.

Her living accommodations for the weeks she will be there are the posh digs of Clotilde Aubergel (Manon Azem). Clo helps Ella learn the ways of the French and encourages her adventurous spirit. She also introduces Ella to her cousin, Gaston (Ben Wiggins), an attractive man who is younger, but oh so charming. As we all know, "No one's slick as Gaston/No one's quick as Gaston", so she falls under his spell despite the warnings she gets about Gaston's reputation as a lothario.

Elle's ete d'amour is filled with new experiences and her senses are filled with the sights, sounds and tastes of Paris and its cheeses. The owner of the fromagerie, named Serge, eventually warms to her and he becomes the steward of her burgeoning knowledge of cheese.

As in many Hallmark romances, there is a misunderstanding that must be overcome: a phrase lost in translation. But Elle negotiates that obstacle and extends her stay: a jete dans ete. After all the montages de fromage, the fun fashions, and the views of the Tour Eiffel, Elle's future begins to take shape, if only she can commit to it.

There is a lot to like about this film, from the Parisian scenery to the beautiful actors. Another thing that works well, though it could have been an annoyance, is the use of thought bubbles to reveal Ella's inner thoughts while providing translations of some French phrases. As usual, Bethany Joy's energy drives the narrative; her enthusiasm in this role feels genuine.

Bethany Joy Lenz is one of my favorite Hallmark stars. Her acting is so natural. The other casting was great. I especially liked Manon Azem (Cloltilde) and Stanley Weber (Serge). The fashions were great to look at. It's Paris after all. I see that it was filmed in France and Bulgaria but since I have not been to either (except for the Paris airport) the setting looked authentic. Loved the conflict between mother and daughter. She was a bit controlling but what mother doesn't feel like they know best?

I wish there was a way to comment directly to a reviewer. One person thought that Serge was too old for Ella but in reality the actress is five years older. The other suitor is much younger (eight years) but that is the point. Why is it that no one seems to comment if the man is older?

Ella escapes to Paris for a 10 day vacation away from a soul, sucking job. She fascinates about her last trip there, when she discovered the best cheese she's ever tasted.

Clotilde, her host at her, Airbnb becomes her new best friend; the cousin, Gaston, of the hostess becomes a potential Mon amoureux, and then there is Serge the grumpy proprietor of the local fromagerie ( cheese store).

One of the neat things to watch is just outside her apartment is the on- going development of a large wall mural as her days pass in Paris.

Ella is falling for "The Cad" (Gaston) but is it real?

In the meantime she is falling for the grumpy cheese store proprietor Serge.

They share a real love for cheese!

Ella grows up during her time in Paris.

No spoilers, but it is a Hallmark movie.