Emily in Paris: A Critical Assessment
Emily in Paris is a late-2020 sitcom created and produced by Darren Star, best known as the genius behind dramas such as Sex and the City. Set in present-day Paris, the show follows its central character Emily – an American marketing executive working for a French luxury-goods company – as she navigates the unfamiliar terrain of the city and its unique people.
Although the show has been generally well-received by critics and audiences alike, there has been no shortage of detractors who have harshly criticized the show for its crass portrayals of French culture and what many consider its whimsical and overly-idealised presentation of Paris. In this critical assessment, we’ll take an in-depth look at what exactly makes Emily in Paris so divisive and whether or not it deserves the criticism it has received.
The Good
Despite its shortcomings, there are several aspects of Emily in Paris that are worth pointing out, with the show’s remarkable production values and star-studded cast of characters chief among them.
Production Value
Viewers of Emily in Paris are swift to recognize the show’s gorgeous production quality that captures both the charming beauty of Paris and the eccentricities of its people. From the show’s stunning detailing of classic parts of Paris to the beautifully-crafted costumes and settings, every frame of Emily in Paris looks like it was taken directly out of a romantic-comedy film.
Outstanding Cast
The cast of Emily in Paris is an impressive array of stars, from the titular Emily herself – played by actress Lily Collins – to the wide array of supporting talent. Among the standout supporting characters are Ashley Park as Emily’s colleague Mindy, Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu as Emily’s employer Sylvie and Lucas Bravo as Emily’s love interest Gabriel. Together, the cast of Emily in Paris succeeds in making the show genuinely entertaining and fun to watch.
Fashionable Take on Modern Paris
Emily in Paris takes full advantage of its Parisian setting to present fashion in a sophisticated and stylish way. From Emily’s chic city outfits to the extravagant streetwear of the Parisian locals, the show is incredibly successful in capturing the opulence and fashion sense of the city.
The Bad
Although there are some positive points to be made about Emily in Paris, the show is not without some serious flaws that it could do without.
Insensitive Depiction of French Culture
The most glaring fault of Emily in Paris is its often ridiculous portrayal of French culture, from Emily’s disregard for the French language and customs to the show’s reliance on too many common stereotypes about the French people. This senseless depiction of French culture has understandably been a major source of criticism for the show, as its attitude towards the unique cultures of Paris and its people can sometimes come off as offensively dismissive.
Unrealistic and Stagnant Character Dynamics
Another issue with Emily in Paris is its lack of genuine and engaging character arcs. While Emily’s character does show some growth over the course of the show, the supporting characters remain fairly stagnant in terms of their development and motivations. This makes the show come off as hollow and shallow as many characters introduce ideas that either quickly disappear or are never fully addressed.
Unoriginal Script and Plot
It isn’t too hard to recognize that – despite its lavish production and French setting – Emily in Paris is a rather unoriginal show. With story beats torn straight out of countless rom-coms and a script containing uninspired dialogue, Emily in Paris fails to stand out from the large pool of content in the genre.
There is no denying that Emily in Paris is a visually stunning and entertaining show, but it is hampered by its often crass and insensitive take on French culture, as well as its cliche and undercooked scripts and storylines. This has meant that Emily in Paris is a show that has been met with mixed reactions from audiences, with some citing its good points and others focusing on its shortcomings. Regardless, Emily in Paris is sure to remain a divisive show for some time to come.