Savoring Paris

This is a deligtful movie on all levels. The wardrobe for Bethany is just so lovely and brings life to the movie. The colours, the styles, the hair accessories all so flattering. Even the blue skirt in the closing scene in front of the stores attractive. As a rom-com, hit the mark, a mature woman seeking adventure and change, no squeaky woe is me sappy female. The male lead is business yet to ready for change. The only weird instance was the kissing scene after je t'aime, between E & S the segments of the scene seem edited out of order. I like the actress playing the mother, a change from the usual standard ones. Whomever the writing on the cheese idea come from is brilliant - like a tree carving of Ella + Serge. Watch this one. Bethany excellent as always.

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.

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?

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.

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.