Crimes of Fashion: Killer Clutch

Having been to Paris several times, and being a cozy mystery fan, I had looked forward to this addition to the Hallmark mysteries, but it was disappointing at best.

I realize that the tone generally should be light, but there's still supposed to be a credible plot and interesting characters. The writers created decent characters, but the plot left a lot to be desired. Sure, the perky heroine is supposed to stupidly put herself in danger, but really - in a country where her knowledge of the language is limited to all of three words, which she persists in using together no matter what - it got old and annoying pretty quickly - first time sort of cute, then just stupid. Someone with the academic credentials (so presumably effort spent in getting them) Lauren has should have at least tried to learn a few more phrases, or at least that "Merci, bon jour" as a perpetual response to anything is pretty dopey. And, given her level of ignorance of the city and the language, it made no sense for her to go careening around the city and poking into stuff all ON HER OWN - especially when she had a perfectly hunky police detective who was fairly willing to accompany her.

Also - maybe some people like this actress, but I found her constant slow "aren't I special/precious/too beautiful for words" smile annoying, as if her character felt it was necessary for her to be the primary focus of anyone in range. It didn't quite ring true for someone who is a professional mental health provider, in my opinion.

A few suggestions if they decide to continue this particular series: 1. Lauren needs to learn to at least be able to manage more than "Merci, bon jour." 2. Do something about the stereotypical police chief (no, making her a woman is not enough - the character still fit all of the tired tropes) and Andre's professional relationship with her and his colleagues. Just because they're not main characters doesn't mean they shouldn't be more than sterotypes. 3. Put a little more effort into credible plot lines - the only reason I didn't stop watching halfway through or so on those grounds was because I wanted to find out if my guess as to the villain was right (it was).

A beautiful, fascinating city, an interesting setting (fashion industry), a fascinating culture different from American culture in many ways, and, yes, a pretty good-looking hero - come on, Hallmark, you've got a good bit to work with already - put a little better effort into it!

This is obviously a vehicle for Brooke but it was too much her acting was OTT but to be fair the writing didn't help - a fashion psychologist turns detective and of course is better at the investigation than the actual detective - so predictable. And her job title what was that about!

The casting of Gilles Marini and Paloma Coquant is super! Both are enjoyable to watch and can actually act that's always a surprise in a Hallmark production. Also Paloma est très belle.

Can't work out if this was filmed in Paris at all But I enjoyed the illusion of it being Paris and the use of French throughout was a nice happenstance as I speak French I don't know if non speakers would feel the same.

That said it didn't make sense that Lauren traipsed around Paris solving a crime without bothering to try to speak French. Talk about unrealistic

I'll just add Mohamed Belhadjine is a revelation I hope he has a long successful career.

How do you say I can't understand a word you're saying in French?

That pretty much sums up this movie for me. To be perfectly fair, it may have been a good movie, but I got so lost in the heavy accents that following the plot became laborious. I usually do very well with understanding various accents, but there was something amiss with this particular movie.

This is a movie made for a mostly-American audience, and I've seen numerous others with the same opinion.

Gilles Marini has been perfectly understandable in several other shows, but even his accent made this difficult.

I also found the acting/chemistry to be lacking. Visually, it was lovely to see the clothes and Paris; but there is more to a movie than cinematography.

I was looking forward to this, but C'est la vie...

I want to thank the Hallmark network for finally combining two topics that makes a viewer watch the movie,murder and fashion. A movie that can be watched by men and women & with no complaints. The right amount of suspense and the perfect blend of two cultures, food and lifestyle.

As a fashionista I thoroughly enjoyed the back of the house scenes, the preparation of the runway and the tension that happens behind the glamours moment.

The freshness of Brooke as an American girl in Paris and Gilles Marini as detective Andre gave the perfect chemistry..the camera loves him & so does the audience.

Let's see: an American fashion psychologist with no detecting background, who does not speak a word of French, goes to Paris for the first time in her life and manages to solve a crime. Meanwhile the hirsute detective, supposedly in charge, ineptly bumbles around and allows her to meddle in in official police matters. Seems like the perfect plot for a novel Pink Panther movie. Unfortunately, this was intended as a serious film, not a farce.

First of all, what the heck is a fashion psychologist? Then, how can a total stranger, unable to speak the language, easily navigate through Paris, even its unseemly places, and effectively question all possible murder suspects?

And, why would all of them so easily oblige, when she has neither the authority, nor the language ability to do so? In addition, why would the policeman in charge allow such person, unknown to him, to do it and even share information with her? Or, why should the French police always be two steps behind such an unlikely sleuth?

Again, Inspector Clouseau comes to mind, which is not a compliment for French Police and the character viewers are supposed to admire as the charming hero of the production.

Gilles Marini in his role is made to look like an uncouth idiot and Lauren acts as a presumptuous brat. Personally, I saw no reason to enjoy their interaction, though I guess they were made for each other. Hallmark shows no mercy for the faithful viewers. The end of the production clearly indicates that sequels are planned.