If you’re ready to delve into a magical world and escape the mess that is our own, check out Netflix’s Emily in Paris.
Emily (Lily Collins) works in a marketing firm in Chicago. Her boss is about to leave for Paris, and Emily is going to get a promotion, but her boss gets pregnant and can no longer go. So, they send Emily instead. The only problem, she doesn’t speak any French.
Don’t be looking for an accurate depiction of Paris. This is a fictional world and one that is definitely needed right now. It’s an old stereotypical France, but it works in this dramedy.
Emily in Paris comes from Darren Starr, the creator of Younger and Sex in the City. It reminds me more of Younger than Sex in the City, but there are similarities to both.
Emily’s new colleagues are not a fan of her, especially her boss. They do not like her American ways, even though that’s exactly why she was sent there, to bring the American perspective.
As horrible a boss that Sylvie (Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu) is, I found myself loving her character. It brings a challenge for Emily to impress her, and that’s not easy to do. But I love that optimism and drive that Emily brings. She does some amazing things for the company while also becoming an influencer herself.
Her other co-workers, Julien (Samuel Arnold) and Luc (Bruno Gouery), are great comic reliefs. While they started with teasing her, they become allies to her. And I want more of them in the second season.
The characters in the show are what make it so great. Emily is trying to navigate this new world and find her place while also staying true to herself. Lily does such an amazing job bringing this character to life.
They’re also so many cute french men. Starting with Gabriel (Lucas Bravo), the neighbor. He’s probably the man I ship Emily with the most, but I did quite like her relationship with Mathieu, the nephew of legendary fashion designer Pierre Cadault (Jean-Christophe Bouvet). Basically, it’s between a great chef and aspiring fashion designer, who can whisk her away, to anywhere he wants. Unfortunately, things with Gabriel are complicated, and Mathieu (Charles Martins) is a client.
According to Sylvie, complicated relationships are the best. She’s having an affair with a client, who is also a married man, Antoine (William Abadie). Who is quite charming himself and makes a play for Emily.
It’s not all about work and sexy french man, though. Emily also makes two great friends, Mindy (Ashley Park) and Camille (Camille Razat).
Emily meets Mindy on a park bench when she accidentally knocks a baguette out of Emily’s hands. She’s a former disgraced pop star from China who moved to Paris for a fresh start, and her parents have cut her off. She’s now working as a nanny.
Camille’s parents own a champagne company, and she also works for an art gallery. Emily goes on many adventures with these women, from cute cafes to gallery openings, to an awkward trip to the country to meet’s Camille’s family.
You have just as much fun watching Emily’s adventures with Camille and Mindy as you do with the men and her career. There’s not a dull moment. There is drama, laughs, and inspirational moments. Emily never ceases to amaze me how quickly she can come up with a marketing idea or a fix to the never-ending disasters that happen at work.
Emily in Paris has set up such a fun universe that I don’t care that it’s not the real Paris. I enjoyed being in this fantasy world and want to return for a second season.
Emily in Paris is now streaming on Netflix.
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