Created by Darren Star (Sex and the City), the new Netflix production, Emily in Paris tells the story of Emily Cooper, an ambitious American from Chicago, played by Lily Collins, who is sent to the French capital to work and bring her point of view to a French marketing agency, Savoir, which her American employer has just bought. In this city, which marks the beginning of a new life, we discover an energetic and positive Emily. It is also a victim of the cultural divide between two very different countries, the United States and France. Even if the heroine encounters difficulties in her work and integration, she still manages to convey an image of the enthusiastic American woman. Indeed, Emily excels in the art of finding solutions to every problem encountered. 
An avalanche of clichés
Despite a very pleasant and light series to watch, we discover a string of clichés. They range from typical cafes and the hostile welcome of restaurateurs to the behavior of the French who all pass for inveterate womanizers with lovers and mistresses and being as attractive as gallant, as there are rarely (kiss-hand, etc.). These examples that almost evoke the absurd. It is undoubtedly a shame that the inhabitants of the capital are reduced to the rank of snobs or slackers (everyone starts his working day at 11am …), not to mention the fact that most of them smoke. It is also deplorable that all French people are rude and have sexist and backward behaviors. Another negative point and not least, at no time is there any real representation of the daily life of an average Parisian. There are no traffic jams in the streets, no subway, no one jostles, the streets are clean, and icing on the cake Emily's maid's room is about 40m2 with a beautiful view of the city … In short, all the clichés that come to mind about the France and the French, you will have a good chance of finding them in Emily in Paris. But is this really representative of how Americans look at France and the French, or is this series deliberately cliché? 
The strategic choice of shots
In other words, it is a much improved reality. This is probably explained by Darren Star's embellished American look. The fact that the main character belongs to a rather affluent class amplifies this fantasy of Paris. Nevertheless, it is likely that the creator of the series wanted to exaggerate these rather negative clichés to promote the attachment of viewers to certain characters. Gabriel or Camille, who seem to be more pleasant than the others, come respectively from Normandy and Champagne. This suggests that it is the Parisians, more than the French, who are unpleasant. 
A certain lack of originality
Despite a promising cast with Lily Collins at its head, the characters are not sufficiently developed. Other actors from French and American series, such as Kate Walsh (Grey's Anatomy) or Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu (Dix pour Cent) are also part of the cast. The acting of the latter, who plays a Miranda Priestly à la française is excellent. On the other hand, Lily Collins' performance struggles to convince. The heroine sometimes becomes annoying, and not always believable. From a scriptwriting point of view, there are no real adventures. Everything remains rather predictable in the end. The end of the series also does not keep us sufficiently in suspense for a second season. Indeed, it directs a possible sequel on a love triangle seen and reviewed. 
When Emily in Paris does not rhyme with realism
What makes the series even less realistic is that the French speak to each other in English, in the original version. On this point, there is a great lack of consistency, since it is generally the mother tongue that dominates. The French language is there without being, no longer used as a way to ridicule the main character. The themes addressed are barely so, remaining on the surface. Among them, we can count harassment at work or female gaze, which seem incidental. This lack of deepening reinforces the feeling of lightness. Emily in Paris offers beautiful framing of Paris. On the other hand, the places chosen are not particularly original. They do not think outside the box as we are led to believe, for example, with the Marché des Enfants Rouges. In addition, the realization remains rather banal, bringing nothing really innovative. In the end, it remains an entertaining series despite the clichés, without headache. One thing is certain, Emily in Paris will not be one of the unmissable, but it has the merit of passing the time. It has also promoted, in spite of itself, the practice of hate watching. For now, we do not know if there will be a second season.
