This is an entertaining film, offering many pleasures. The book by Paul Gallico is itself charming and the film successfully retains that quality, most obviously because Leslie Manville inhabits her character with sincerity. Before you know it you have forgiven even the most unlikely plot contrivances and been willingly carried along for the ride.
All of which might justify a higher score than I have awarded.
However, I reserve 8s for a film I would strongly recommend and this does not quite achieve that status. The story is too slight - the whole concept of an haute-couture dress being the dream of a bereaved working-class woman passes me by. And the transformation of Mrs Harris is insufficiently powered to engage my emotions to any great extent.
But I did finish watching this with a smile on my face and if that is enough for you then go and watch it.
All of which might justify a higher score than I have awarded.
However, I reserve 8s for a film I would strongly recommend and this does not quite achieve that status. The story is too slight - the whole concept of an haute-couture dress being the dream of a bereaved working-class woman passes me by. And the transformation of Mrs Harris is insufficiently powered to engage my emotions to any great extent.
But I did finish watching this with a smile on my face and if that is enough for you then go and watch it.