Greetings again from the darkness. I’ll begin by admitting two things. First, I don’t watch many romantic-comedies. Second, I do understand why the genre is appealing to so many. That second point seems especially true around the holidays when emotions run high and the Hallmark channel peaks. Netflix is joining in the fun with this latest from writer-director Mark Steven Johnson, who in 2010 explored the genre with WHEN IN ROME. Not one to shy away from gorgeous settings, this time Johnson takes us to Paris, France.
Minka Kelly (“Titans”) stars as Sydney Price, an ambitious executive whose boss is finally giving her an opportunity to close a big acquisition. Usually relegated to sourcing the deals, she views this as her chance to take the next step professionally. One added benefit is a trip to Paris, which leaves her sister Skyler (Maeve Courtier-Lilley) holding her to a pinky-swear to spend one night sightseeing, rather than working. Once at her gorgeous hotel, Sydney takes a walk to one of the iconic Paris bookstores. It’s here where she gets her meet-cute with Henri (Tom Wozniczka, “Slow Horses”).
Of course, we all know the formula. He’s charming and handsome. They flirt. Will they or won’t they? He turns out to have a surprise identity. They have their ups and downs, including a couple of misunderstandings. All of this happens concurrently with Sydney competing for the purchase of the champagne company owned by Hugo Cassell (Thibault de Montalembert, ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT, 2022). The fun really begins when Hugo invites Sydney and the other bidders to his stunning Chateau Cassell. The others are fronted by French local Brigitte (Astrid Whettnail, “The Missing”), German Otto (Flula Borg, THE SUICIDE SQUAD, 2021), and wildcard Roberto (Sean Amsing, “Parked”). Brigitte is conniving, while Otto is stiff and calculated (and believes DIE HARD is a tragedy since Hans Gruber dies), and Roberto is a party animal and son of a billionaire … and provides most of the film’s comic relief.
Sydney and Henri get a flirty, sparkling evening ride on the giant Ferris wheel, as well as a light show under the Eiffel Tower. The setting and sights are breathtaking – both Paris and the Chateau. Despite the formulaic approach and lack of any real suspense, the film serves its purpose by delivering a love story with some laughs in an incredibly romantic and stunning setting. Just remember that “Champagne isn’t just a drink, it’s a celebration”, so “taste the stars” (and don’t dig too deep).
Premieres on Netflix on November 19, 2025
Posted by David Ferguson 
Greetings again from the darkness. “Find a penny, pick it up, and all day long you’ll have good luck.” That’s how the old saying goes, and it plays a prominent part in this first animated feature film from Skydance Animation. Directed by former Disney animation choreographer Peggy Holmes, and co-written by Kiel Murray (CARS, 2006) and writing partners Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger, who teamed on the “Kung Fu Panda” franchise (as well as other projects), the film’s approach shifted when Skydance hired John Lasseter as head of animation. You may know Mr. Lasseter as the creative force behind Pixar and such groundbreaking films as TOY STORY (1995), but he’s also the guy that faced multiple accusations of workplace sexual impropriety and left Disney Pixar in late 2017. His Skydance hiring brought a change of director to the project, and was the reason Oscar winner Emma Thompson recused herself, replaced by Oscar winner Jane Fonda, who evidently had no such qualms about working for Lasseter.
Movie Reviews from the Dark 