A Dress Lover's Movie Night

    I hope things are looking Spring-y where you live but that is sadly not the case for me.  With the weather outside still looking rather frightful, I like to plan a few themed movie nights to share with my family.  Two years ago I was on a roll that tragically ended in an ill-conceived Martin Short Movie month, in which my family and I watched campy hits such as Captain Ron, Pure Luck, Inner Space, and Treasure Planet, at the end of which my family announced I would no longer be trusted to plan our movie themes and then burned Mr. Short in effigy.  

    After a brief 24 month hiatus, just long enough for them to heal and forget (forgiveness may be too much to expect), I'm back and better than ever.  I've picked myself up, dusted myself off, and I've learned from my mistakes.  This time I'm going to stick to what I know, and what I know is: dresses.  So, pop some corn, crack open a bottle of the fizzy stuff and let's enjoy and evening at home with some Best Dress-ed Classics!

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1.  Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris. (2022.) 

Love at first sight, this movie is a delightful gem, a feast not just for the eye but for the soul.  Follow the story of the dependable and kind Mrs. Harris, who waits for beyond all hope her husband's return from war while sacrificing her own dreams.  She then embarks on a marvelous journey, touching lives along the way to purchase her dream dress from Paris couture fashion house, Dior.   Costume design is by the very talented Jenny Beavan.  Remember that name, you're going to see it again.

2.  The Dressmaker.  

This one is actually on my to-watch list.  That's right, I haven't seen it yet, but it's got all the elements I'm looking for: Pretty dresses, Kate Winslet, and a 66% postive rating from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.  So, this one's been requested and is on the way to my public library as we speak.  The story in a nutshell is that a fashionable woman goes back to her small town and seeks revenge for the past, but I'm hoping along the way she does some good too.

3.  Ever After: A Cinderella Story.  (1998).  

With an all star cast, a brilliant story revamp and stunning costume design of Jenny Beavan, who you may remember did my No.1 pick, this retelling of a children's classic has always stood out as my personal favorite.  Suddenly the characters have motivation, they have depth, no more mere good and evil.  Cinderella has dreams and opinions, the stepmother has trauma, and the prince wants more than just arm candy, he wants intellect.  Although one look at her in that marvelous dress and it's safe to say he gets both.

4.  Cruella.  (2021). 

Ok, ok, I know the storytelling is pretty weak on this Disney prequel, but cinematography and the brilliant actors, Emma Stone & Emma Thompson,  do make up for some of what the story lacks.  If you're in it for a fun girls' night of oogling pretty dresses then this movie fits the bill.  Oh, and once again, the costume design is the work of Jenny Beavan, because that lady knows how to make a beautiful dress!

5.  Troop Beverly Hills (1989).

This movie has been a favorite of mine since its release in 1989 and has featured in more than one movie night since then.  A few years ago while living in Japan I had a friend who also loved the movie and suggested that we introduce our daughters to it together with a very girly movie party.  Since then my daughters and I have watched many times together.  The story has all the heart warming 80's charm you could want combined with plenty of celebrity cameos and of course fabulous dresses as Shelley Long's main character, Phyllis Nefler, would say.