At first, I was very skeptical about “Emily in Paris.” I had seen many TikTok influencers promote the show and #EmilyinParis was trending at one point. However, when I looked at some reviews, I was shocked at the overwhelming negativity from French reviewers. I decided to get my perspective as a French learner in America.
“Emily in Paris” is a Netflix Original that was available for streaming on October 2. The description that Netflix gives is “Chicago marketing executive Emily Cooper is hired to provide an American perspective at a marketing firm in Paris,” which does not really give the show justice. While that is the main plot point that brings her to Paris, the show is about so much more than just that.
Emily starts off pretty low in the company as an assistant to the woman who was supposed to go to France. In a turn of events, her boss gets pregnant and Emily is sent instead. One issue though: she doesn’t speak French. When she gets there, her colleagues at her new job hate that she’s there. She has to face a lot of challenges in the workplace because it seems she keeps messing up. However, at the end of every episode, it all works out.
The show also has a romantic aspect; it does take place in the city of love. Emily starts off the show with a boyfriend in Chicago, but how could she live in the most romantic place on Earth without romance and thousands of miles away from her beau? Spoiler Alert: She breaks up with him very early on in the show, setting up her struggles to find love. Emily becomes part of a very complicated love triangle with one of her friends and her neighbor. Added onto that, her boss’ boyfriend is hitting on her, she dates one of her clients, and much more. It’s not an understatement to say that Emily’s life gets flipped upside down when she goes to Paris.
The main character, Emily Cooper, is played by Lily Collins. I think she did an amazing job. Also props to Patrica Field, who did costumes for the show, because all of the outfits were perfect. They were so different, and I wish I could pull off something like that. Field was also the stylist for very iconic fashion movies like “Sex and the City” and “Devil Wears Prada.” Her style was one thing that caught many other viewers’ attention too. From her bucket hats to designer clothing and accessories, to wacky combinations, it caught everyone’s attention.
From my perspective, I find nothing negative about the show. I love it. Her life is so crazy and interesting that I could watch it for so long. I was sad when I got to the end of the season; I wanted more. There are only 10 episodes, and each of them are less than 30 minutes long, and I just can’t get enough of Emily’s new life in Paris. One good thing is that it’s a quick watch, and the plotline doesn’t drag on and on.
I think one reason I find it so interesting is that I’ve been studying French, and now to see a show about an American in France makes me want to pack my bags, get a one way ticket to Paris, and fall in love!
The negative aspect that you have probably already heard about this show is pissed French people mad about how they were portrayed. While it is a little over dramatic in the show, the French are depicted as rude, self centered, and just overall inhospitable. While I cannot attest to whether or not that is true, if I were French, I probably would not like people to think that is how I acted.
Regardless, it is a good watch; and it probably won’t make you as mad as the French. If you haven’t already, watch it now on Netflix!
