? It’s hard to say no when you’re offered a chance to go to Paris and take part in one of television’s biggest dating shows — and even harder to cope when you realize you’ve been sent to Paris, Texas, not France. In Netflix’s latest original film, The Wrong Paris, that’s exactly what happens. Starring Miranda Cosgrove, Pierson Fodé, and directed by Janeen Damian — the serial rom-com filmmaker behind Lindsay Lohan-led Irish Wish and Falling For Christmas — The Wrong Paris checks all the right boxes for a fun movie night.

The things you do for love (of art): Dawn (Cosgrove) is a struggling artist in her mid-20s. She lives with her grandmother Birdie (Frances Fisher) and two sisters on their farm in a small Texas town. For years, Dawn has only ever had one dream: study art in Paris. When she’s finally accepted, she realizes she doesn’t have enough money to actually go. That’s when her sister Emily (Emilija Baranac), an avid fan of The Honeypot — a fictional version of The Bachelor — pushes her to audition for the upcoming season, set to film in Paris, for a chance to snag a USD 25k appearance fee and a complimentary flight to the city of love.

Initially rejected by the showrunners — who prioritize contestants with major social media followings — Dawn gets the attention of Rachel (Yvonne Orji), one of the show’s producers, who sees a potential reality show storyline in the small town girl. Boarding a flight alongside a dozen (give or take) obnoxious competitors, Dawn believes she’s finally on her way to France. When the flight lands, however, she finds herself a mere hour away from home in Paris, Texas, vying for the love of a handsome, blonde cowboy named Trey (Fodé)... who she just so happens to have already met at a bar a week earlier.

From there, we get our classic rom-com chase. Fast-paced, fun, and at times steamy, The Wrong Paris is a light, entertaining watch, with a cast of supporting characters who each bring their own quirks. It’s Love Island meets Nicholas Sparks — do with that information what you will.

That said, the film isn’t without its flaws. The second half of the film feels rushed and somewhat disjointed from the first half. While we hate drawn out rom-coms, (cough, The Kissing Booth, cough) The Wrong Paris might have benefited from a dual release to flesh out its storyline. Still, if you’re looking for a lighthearted, fun, and romantic comedy, The Wrong Paris is the right movie.

WHERE TO WATCH- You can stream The Wrong Paris on Netflix, or watch the trailer on YouTube (runtime: 2:42).

Tags: