If you have been on Netflix recently, you have definitely seen Emily in Paris come up as a recommendation. Emily in Paris is a Netflix original series featuring Lily Collins as the title character. Emily ends up in Paris for her job, when her boss (played by Kate Walsh), is unable to attend due to an unexpected pregnancy. She is hired on the basis that she will bring an “American perspective” to the company. The viewer can watch her experience new adventures and meet new people. Not only does the viewer get a feel of the magic within Paris, but they also get to experience the drama that is created between characters.
Many people have raved about this series to me, stating how it is a must-watch. I finally got around to watching the series, however, and I was not as thrilled. Personally, I thought that the plot was too predictable and that the acting was subpar most of the time. In addition, Emily’s bubbly and ditzy personality became an annoyance for me.
Not only were the characters annoying, but I noticed many cliches within the episodes regarding what Paris is like. The actors are seen with baguettes or in a beret, which are two classic stereotypes of French people. Additionally, it is stigmatized in the series that Parisians are often lazy and sexist. This creates a negative connotation of the city of Paris that is not entirely true. Although the director, Darren Star, tried to portray the show as a light-hearted, funny series, it ended up offending the Parisian audience due to the prejudices within each episode. Overall, the show was bearable to watch. The episodes were short, and it went by quickly.
It is a sweet, simplistic show, but the characters can be irritating at times, and the French cliches can be bothersome. If that does not sound like it would bother you, then I would recommend it. Personally, however, I would never have watched this without someone recommending it to me, nor would I rewatch an episode for my own personal enjoyment.
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