Paris Christmas Waltz Review : A light-hearted and satisfying watch for the festive season

Story: After leaving her job, Emma is unsure of her next move. Leo, a dancer losing his passion, is urged by his mentor Henry to enter the Paris Yuletide dance competition. Unable to refuse, Leo now needs a partner.

Review: ‘A Paris Christmas Waltz’ is a decent addition to the roster of holiday films, offering a pleasant watch during the festive season. Though it sticks closely to the traditional love story formula, the film manages to hold attention with its short runtime and well-crafted visuals capturing the charm of Christmas in Paris. The movie leans heavily into its feel-good tone, avoiding significant conflicts and prioritizing festive cheer. What elevates it further is the believable chemistry between the leads, which adds a touch of authenticity to an otherwise predictable storyline.

The film follows Emma (Jen Lilley), an accountant with a passion for dance. When her company downsizes, she selflessly resigns to help a colleague with a family keep his job. A chance encounter with Leo (Matthew Morrison), the dancer who once inspired her, leads to a budding friendship. Leo, a professional dancer whose enthusiasm for his art is fading, is persuaded by his ailing mentor Henry (Paul Freeman) in France to participate in the Paris Yuletide dance competition. Unable to refuse, Leo faces the challenge of finding a partner—until he reconnects with Emma. The two travel to Paris to compete, and Emma begins to develop feelings for Leo. However, complications arise when she meets Giselle (Jade Ewen), Leo's former dance partner, who is also in the competition.

‘A Paris Christmas Waltz’ is a straightforward, formulaic film that clearly doesn’t aim to break new ground. Instead, it focuses on delivering clean, light-hearted entertainment—and succeeds. Combining music and dance, the film offers a satisfactory experience. With a runtime of less than 90 minutes, it manages to tell a watchable love story without overstaying its welcome. The film lacks an antagonist or dramatic conflicts, opting instead for a world filled with good-hearted people ready to help each other. Its Parisian sequences are beautifully shot, capturing the festive charm of the city and inspiring viewers to add Paris to their travel wish list. While it may not be ground-breaking, it is a feel-good film perfect for the holiday season.


Matthew Morrison delivers a sincere performance as Leo, excelling in both his dance sequences and his portrayal of a courteous, well-mannered gentleman. Jen Lilley as Emma complements him well, bringing warmth and charm to her role. Both actors exhibit natural chemistry on screen, convincingly embodying their characters. This film is a sweet, festive offering tailored for Christmas audiences. Its production quality aligns with the standard of most Hallmark films, and while it may not aim for perfection, critiquing such films misses the point—they are designed with a clear focus on delivering light-hearted, feel-good entertainment and nothing else. For what it sets out to achieve, it ensures an enjoyable viewing experience.