Savoring Paris

Hallmark Channel's Savoring Paris, starring Bethany Joy Lenz and Stanley Weber, is a nice turn away from their previously formulaic movies while still honoring the happily ever after endings the channel is known for. Ella (Bethany Joy Lenz) is disillusioned with her life in the United States and makes the choice to return to Paris in an attempt to recapture the magic from her previous trip (and taste the cheeses she's never forgotten since). However, she'll find much more in her interactions with her new friends, her carefree adventures and a "grumpy cheese-monger" named Serge (Stanley Weber).

In the past, with their stereotypical Christmas movies, storylines were very predictable whenever I watched a Hallmark movie. As a result, they came across as less authentic and not like something that could actually happen. I really enjoyed Ella's journey in this movie, and how the actress delivered her performance in a way that came across as very genuine, funny, and engaging. Her friendships were very relatable, and I appreciated how her mother was overbearing yet gradually backed down on her own (without having to be talked to, like some of the royal parents in other movies).

My only complaint was that the movie was not actually fully filmed in Paris. As part of a set of movies marketed as "Passport to Love", that was a bit disappointing for me but didn't affect my overall enjoyment of the movie too much. Nevertheless, I think the filmmakers did an excellent job bringing the charm and personality of the city (and its people) to life. The highlight of that was the contrast in the American and French lifestyles - French people work to live and get to enjoy much more of their life. On the other hand, many Americans live to work and forget to take time to savor the moment and enjoy life along the way. Ella did her best to get away from that mindset in this movie, and it was a very fulfilling journey to see.

Overall, this was a very entertaining movie. I'm excited to see the new creative direction Hallmark seems to be going in, and I'll definitely be checking out more of their new movies as they release. Check out this movie if you like international romances complete with self-discovery and the grumpy x sunshine trope.

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?

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.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: "One Tree Hill" alum (and, apparently, ex-cult member!) Bethany Joy Lenz is a natural Hallmark star, with her bubbly, bright and effervescent personality. She always does a good job in these movies, and "Savoring Paris" is no exception. There's something about her character in a movie set in the City of Light that just works so perfectly.

An original-ish - I mean, this is Hallmark, so we're not going too far from the comfort zone of these sorts of movies - plot and plenty of Parisian flavour. A few cliched characters, but you take the good with the bad. If you like cheese, you're in luck.

Another winner from the ranks of Hallmark's on-location movies, which I think are some of the best that the Crown network does.

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.