Sometimes, the best comfort films and TV shows are the ones that feature characters and plotlines that are so insane and unrealistic, that they provide just the right amount of escapism. While Emily in Paris starring Lily Collins is deserving of some of its negative reviews for being cringey and at times ignorant, the quality of the show changes when you start to view it less as a serious show and more as a form of escapism.
The series follows the eponymous Emily, who is an American marketing executive, as she moves to Paris and tries (badly) to fit in with the French working and social culture. Whilst parts of the series, such as the hoard of European men who seem to fall at Emily’s feet, are incredibly unrelatable and unrealistic, the struggles of fitting in with a new culture can at times provide a sense of relatability for those who have experienced moving abroad and can help escape that feeling of not fitting in, because at least you’re likely better at integrating than Emily is.
Emily in Paris also provides a sense of comfort as you can escape from the complexities of your own life, by watching Emily sort out her far more trivial problems. Although Emily’s problems are easy, there is a sense of escapism that can be found in the idealisation of her life as someone who is living in Paris, in her dream job, having desirable problems like ‘Which hot guy should I choose?’.
Emily in Paris also provides a sense of comfort as you can escape from the complexities of your own life, by watching Emily sort out her far more trivial problems
Whilst Emily is cringy and annoying, and it doesn’t make sense that she has an entire boatload of suitors fighting for her attention at all times, the supporting characters are entertaining and arguably well-written. Alfie, a love interest for Emily, is an admirable character with a strong sense of humour and shows maturity. Whilst still written by Americans, Alfie arguably embodies British sarcasm well.
Even looking at Emily’s coworkers, such as Sylvie, Luc, and Julian, you see a mix of personalities, all of which I would argue are iconic. These characters also actively support and criticise Emily, leading to her growth as a character over the later seasons. When you look beyond the main character and pay attention to the supporting roles and their storylines, Emily in Paris stops being as corny as it is perceived to be.
Whilst the first season did not set the series up well, the introduction of future characters, all the supporting characters, and their plotlines, are relatively well-written. To add to that, I would argue that the series Emily in Paris is still entertaining and a good way to relax, even if the main character can be annoying and immature. Ultimately, while Emily in Paris may receive criticism, its value as escapism and its exploration of character dynamics make it worth watching
