Most movies that get made aim for that 5 out of 5 stars, the classic everyone will talk about for years. Champagne Problems is NOT one of those: it’s goal is to hit 2.5 out of 5 stars if done right. Normally that will put me in a foul mood…but it’s a Christmas romcom on Netflix. I’m not a monster; I have a heart, happy to give the smallest piece to Champagne Problems for at least hitting their bullseye.
The “washed up” star of this Netflix Xmas romcom is Minka Kelly, beautiful as ever. She plays Sydney Price, an overworked (WHAT? In a Christmas romcom?) business exec for The Roth Group. Liking her pitch for Chateau Cassell, a Champagne producer, Marvin Roth (Mitchell Mullen) sends Sydney to Paris for the holidays to pitch owner Hugo Cassell (Thibault de Montalembert) on her plan for the Champagne producer. On her one free night, Sydney goes into Les Etoiles, the most beautiful bookstore that has ever existed, and meets Henri (Tom Wozniczka), as impossibly beautiful as the store. After a wonderful night together, wouldn’t ya know it, Henri CASSELL happens to be the VP of his father’s company. TWIST!
So yes, Champagne Problems is something you can put on while doing other things, but that’s OK. At least the creators know it, and do the best they can to make you pop your head up. “Paris” is mostly green screened, but most of the film is actually shot in France at some amazing Chateaus, as impossibly beautiful as the city. Too cold? The set design makes you feel like the movie is giving you a warm hug, either with smooth jazz at Les Etoiles or homely warmth of our Chateau weekend. Each location is designed to heat the heart and put you in a romantic stupor, relaxing you along. That not working for you? There’s an adorable family dog that is even cute when he’s misbehaving, and looks incredible in Minka Kelly’s arms; no wonder Henri falls for her.
As far as the romcom elements, Minka Kelly and Tom Wozniczka know how to sell the rom parts, but have none of the com. So Champagne Problems builds all the dramatic parts of the story into their dialogue, playing to their strenghts: looking hot and beautiful/sad. All the comedy comes from everyone else around them. Flula Borg and Sean Amsing were born to deliver laughs, even if they’re given 1984 German and gay stereotypes in their dumb script. That zaniness allows our leads to have funny faces and then immediately turn and lock eyes with each other, and we’re back to the romance.
Plot? Chemistry? Specific characters? These are Champagne Problems for a Netflix Christmas movie. Start up, see a beautiful place, fall in love, happily ever after 90 minutes later. Only at Christmas does that work…and for Minka Kelly, who has aged like a vintage champagne.