User reviews

Ella escapes to Paris for a 10 day vacation away from a soul, sucking job. She fascinates about her last trip there, when she discovered the best cheese she's ever tasted.

Clotilde, her host at her, Airbnb becomes her new best friend; the cousin, Gaston, of the hostess becomes a potential Mon amoureux, and then there is Serge the grumpy proprietor of the local fromagerie ( cheese store).

One of the neat things to watch is just outside her apartment is the on- going development of a large wall mural as her days pass in Paris.

Ella is falling for "The Cad" (Gaston) but is it real?

In the meantime she is falling for the grumpy cheese store proprietor Serge.

They share a real love for cheese!

Ella grows up during her time in Paris.

No spoilers, but it is a Hallmark movie.

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.

Like many on this site, Bethany Joy Lenz is one of my favorite actresses in Hallmark romances. In this film, she plays the part of Ella Weber, a corporate burnout who is ready to change her life. On a whim, she walks out of the office and hops a flight to Paris, where she particularly wants to indulge in the cheeses. In no time at all, she is in a fromagerie, where the proprietor is dubious of her American sensibilities, but she obtains a slab that delights her.

Her living accommodations for the weeks she will be there are the posh digs of Clotilde Aubergel (Manon Azem). Clo helps Ella learn the ways of the French and encourages her adventurous spirit. She also introduces Ella to her cousin, Gaston (Ben Wiggins), an attractive man who is younger, but oh so charming. As we all know, "No one's slick as Gaston/No one's quick as Gaston", so she falls under his spell despite the warnings she gets about Gaston's reputation as a lothario.

Elle's ete d'amour is filled with new experiences and her senses are filled with the sights, sounds and tastes of Paris and its cheeses. The owner of the fromagerie, named Serge, eventually warms to her and he becomes the steward of her burgeoning knowledge of cheese.

As in many Hallmark romances, there is a misunderstanding that must be overcome: a phrase lost in translation. But Elle negotiates that obstacle and extends her stay: a jete dans ete. After all the montages de fromage, the fun fashions, and the views of the Tour Eiffel, Elle's future begins to take shape, if only she can commit to it.

There is a lot to like about this film, from the Parisian scenery to the beautiful actors. Another thing that works well, though it could have been an annoyance, is the use of thought bubbles to reveal Ella's inner thoughts while providing translations of some French phrases. As usual, Bethany Joy's energy drives the narrative; her enthusiasm in this role feels genuine.

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.

Wow Hallmark has done it again with this movie.

You can't miss with Bethany Joy Lenz . She is sexy beautiful and a very good actress. Hallmark better not lose her. Her performance was so good I want to move to Paris. The two leads opposite her were very good. Both male leads had excellent chemistry with her and very convincing suitors.

Joys Roommate though a small part made the most of it. She also was very convincing as her roommate Joy gives a 4 star performance Best actress in the hallmark family Better not let her get away Cast of supporting actors right on the money Clothes,scenery, sets apartment & Chees store ete fantastic Joy really conveyed her anguish on weather to stay in Paris or go home. As a viewer I was like a ride along trying to figure out what she she would do. All in one of the best movies done by hallmark Keep it up.

I absolutely adored this film.

Paris. Cheese. Bethany Joy Lenz.

Sign me up.

Oh, and her wardrobe?! I want!

She is one of my favorite actresses; this film didn't disappoint. I understand the desire to start over and figure out who the heck you are; I went through something similar. We should live our lives how we want, with happiness, and that is what her character Ella. And I am all about the cheese too. Fontina and Havarti are my top ones.

I loved the banter between Ella and Surge. Fantastic chemistry.

Her roommate-turned-friend is a hoot, and I want to know her.

My husband even enjoyed the movie.

It's definitely a rewatch.

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 don't know what I loved more: the scenes of Paris or the temptation to order a block-of-cheese for a morning snack each day when I visit there again. (Baguette, too, s'il vous plait!)

The dialogue and situations made me laugh out loud. The expected behaviors, both for Americans and Parisians, were hilarious and could easily be switched back and forth.

The use of French music was a huge plus. The lack of fear to use simple French phrases was most welcomed as well (though the "CC" often covered over translation bubbles).

The film was so enjoyable that it could have been longer. Perhaps a wedding sequel - Pourquoi pas?

I was laughing the whole time thinking about writers writing this dialogue. It is sooo bad. The main character is so odd and cheesy (no pun intended). This is the lowest common denominator type of movie. I cannot believe it was actually made. No redeeming qualities. Horrible acting. How many bad things can I fit into six hundred required characters? I cannot believe this was made. It is really bad. Really really bad. It was the 3rd leading movie on HULU? How? Does not make sense to me. I cannot get this time back in my life that I wasted watching this absolutely horrific movie. Hopefully you will not waste your time.

Loved it

Love the lovel triangle

Super cute movie

Loved the drama. Not stupid Oh-I-hit-you-with-my-car drama, but like real life exciting drama.

Really well-made movie. Deep plot. Handsome men. French accents. Not cheesy or stupid

Clever script. No cheesy lines which is so refreshing. It felt like a romance movie that would come out in theater. It was that good.

What an epic love story. It's still limited by the Hallmark movies' time constraints, but compared to most other Hallmark movies, it was amazing.

So freaking cute! I really enjoyed the chemistry between the main couple.

They're so freaking cute together.

Hallmark Channel's Savoring Paris, starring Bethany Joy Lenz and Stanley Weber, is a nice turn away from their previously formulaic movies while still honoring the happily ever after endings the channel is known for. Ella (Bethany Joy Lenz) is disillusioned with her life in the United States and makes the choice to return to Paris in an attempt to recapture the magic from her previous trip (and taste the cheeses she's never forgotten since). However, she'll find much more in her interactions with her new friends, her carefree adventures and a "grumpy cheese-monger" named Serge (Stanley Weber).

In the past, with their stereotypical Christmas movies, storylines were very predictable whenever I watched a Hallmark movie. As a result, they came across as less authentic and not like something that could actually happen. I really enjoyed Ella's journey in this movie, and how the actress delivered her performance in a way that came across as very genuine, funny, and engaging. Her friendships were very relatable, and I appreciated how her mother was overbearing yet gradually backed down on her own (without having to be talked to, like some of the royal parents in other movies).

My only complaint was that the movie was not actually fully filmed in Paris. As part of a set of movies marketed as "Passport to Love", that was a bit disappointing for me but didn't affect my overall enjoyment of the movie too much. Nevertheless, I think the filmmakers did an excellent job bringing the charm and personality of the city (and its people) to life. The highlight of that was the contrast in the American and French lifestyles - French people work to live and get to enjoy much more of their life. On the other hand, many Americans live to work and forget to take time to savor the moment and enjoy life along the way. Ella did her best to get away from that mindset in this movie, and it was a very fulfilling journey to see.

Overall, this was a very entertaining movie. I'm excited to see the new creative direction Hallmark seems to be going in, and I'll definitely be checking out more of their new movies as they release. Check out this movie if you like international romances complete with self-discovery and the grumpy x sunshine trope.

I don't comment on very many movies, but I feel compelled to comment on "Savoring Paris". I an a big fan of Bethany Joy Lenz. I have watched almost all of her Hallmark movies. This one is the only one that I would give 1 star to. The costuming for Bethany IMHO makes her look cheap. The one with the red dress and black puff really turned me off. She is also in another scene dressed in black with way too much skin for my taste. Maybe is it just me that I am old fashioned. I also don't understand the need for Gaston. He is 8 years younger than Bethany and a boy compared to her. With him playing the future boy toy this also makes Bethany look cheap in another way. Don t waste your time on this movie if you've seen other Hallmark movies of Bethany's.

J'ai aimé ce film Bethany Joy Lenz is deserved of her middle name for that is what she brought to this film... I loved her character's manner - the genuine appreciation of French culture and her attempt to immense herself in it. Having an actor of Bethany's calibre makes up for some of the other actors on the Hallmark rota so I would also make time to watch her films. Superficially I also liked Bethany's outfits and hair.

The storyline was typically Hallmark predictable but Bethany and Stanley (Weber) and Ben (Wiggins) were lovely (and easy on the eye. And there's cheese at the heart of the story - I love cheese albeit not as much as Bethany's character.

Of course pretty obvious this wasn't filmed in France which is always a letdown but overall a light fun film to while away a few hours.

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.

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?

7.6 stars.

I'm usually captivated by Ms. Lenz's performances; she's among my favorite talents in the film industry. However, even esteemed artists occasionally venture into unfamiliar territory, as is the case with this French tale of love, cheese, and all things Parisian.

The narrative revolves around a woman named Ella, weary of her life in America, disillusioned by her seemingly stagnant job at a corporate position in a restaurant chain. Despite her aspirations for advancement, she's continuously overlooked, haunted by her mother's expectations yet hindered by her fears of disappointing her. On a whim, Ella decides to go to Paris for a couple of weeks to escape her mundane existence. When the initial two-week stay draws to a close, she chooses to extend her time there significantly.

It's a complex dilemma that unfolds against the backdrop of the enchanting Parisian milieu, where the city, its inhabitants, and its culture dazzle the senses.

Amidst her Parisian escapade, she encounters two charming Frenchmen and swiftly befriends many others. Yet, as the story unfolds, it becomes apparent that even in the City of Light, one cannot outrun their troubles. While the film offers a delightful viewing experience, it falls short in the romance department, lacking a few key elements that would have elevated it further.

Overall, the film is enjoyable, painting a vivid portrait of Parisian life, but not the romantic essence that one might expect from such a rich and exotic setting, featuring Ms. Lenz. I had anticipated a more fulfilling experience with the final outcome, yet it seems something essential was amiss, perhaps it was lost in translation and the constant racket of French music.

Savoring Paris is a delightful movie that keeps your attention by providing with two male romantic interests. For most of its runtime, the movie has us wondering which of these men lead actor Bethany Joy Lenz will end up with, and which one she should end up with. One guy is consistently kind, the other is arrogant and edgy but also, ultimately, more interesting. This is a more complex story structure than Hallmark is known for, and it's well done. Plus the scenes of Paris, all of them marvelous, include a spectacular night scene of the Eiffel Tower lit in gold. First-rate cinematography is something Hallmark is known for and delivers in this charming picture.

I rarely rate a film with 10 stars. This film had all the elements I prefer. It was actually filmed in Paris with gorgeous settings and a very good story with depth. Plus it had stylish haute couture. The elements I prefer In a good movie are: good writing, a story with depth, a strong female lead, excellent cinematography, good casting and good chemistry between the principal actors. And of course the queen of the city herself Paris! Too many of the Hallmark movies Give you the idea that filmed in Nantucket or Aspen or some exotic location. If you've ever been to Paris you will never forget it. It should be on your bucket list!