Netflix is kicking off the holiday season early with its Christmas movie lineup. Last week, we got Alicia Silverstone’s “A Merry Little Ex-Mas,” and now there’s another charming romance in the form of “Champagne Problems,” this time set in the City of Love. While many debate when Christmas festivities should officially begin, I’m the type of person who would gladly watch a Hallmark-inspired flick in the middle of November, and this is one of them.
To be honest, I don’t think there’s ever been a great Christmas movie on Netflix. Much of the streaming service’s holiday content is a mash-up of countless tropes you’ve seen before, and flicks with such cheesy storylines you’d think the movie was 100% cheddar. But I can’t deny that Netflix’s holiday movies have an element of charm and enough festive magic to keep you occupied, even if it’s just background viewing.
“Champagne Problems” certainly falls into that category, even if it’s a little bland, and I have no doubt it’ll bubble its way into Netflix’s top 10 now that it’s available to stream. If you’re looking for a lighthearted watch to get you into the festive spirit, here’s everything you need to know about “Champagne Problems.”
What is ‘Champagne Problems’ about?
Sydney Price (Minka Kelly) is a driven American executive who travels to Paris just before Christmas with one big mission: to acquire the prestigious champagne house, Château Cassell. As she prepares for the tense negotiation, she allows herself a magical evening in the City of Lights and meets Henri Cassell (Tom Wozniczka), a charming stranger.
Their chemistry is instant, but the next morning, she’s shocked to learn that Henri is the founder’s son of the very company she’s trying to buy. As the vineyard’s patriarch, Hugo Cassell (Thibault de Montalembert), brings together potential buyers for the holiday deal, Sydney and Henri must balance business ambition with unexpected romance.
‘Champagne Problems’ sparkles, though it's a bit flat
Starting a Christmas movie with a voiceover about the magic of champagne and how it evokes joy and excitement in partygoers when the cork pops is certainly an interesting choice. My cringe radar was ringing, but if you go into a Christmas flick expecting something serious and blunt, this probably isn’t the genre for you. “Champagne Problems” isn’t quite self-aware enough for that, but it does set up the premise for the rest of the movie.
We then see our protagonist, Sydney, pitching her idea to acquire the champagne house, Château Cassell, in Paris due to its struggling profits. Her boss is pleased enough and decides to send her to France to pitch the idea to the owner, which she gladly accepts. As is typical in these movies, the heavy exposition makes it very clear that Sydney is a workaholic, and her younger sister has to convince her to take one night off while she’s in Paris. With a pinky promise, Sydney reluctantly agrees.
It’s easy to guess where the movie is headed after that point, because not long after, Sydney meets her love interest, Henri, in a bookstore (of all cliché places), and he takes her on a tour. There’s nothing particularly special about the romance or how their relationship unfolds, but thankfully, the two leads have a light, bubbly chemistry that makes the movie a breezy watch.
In fact, there have been so many Christmas movies where the male love interest is an incredibly poor communicator and, at times, a complete jerk. “Champagne Problems,” however, offers a character with valid reasons for his behavior and, importantly, he’s a gentleman. It’s refreshing to see a romance with two kind leads who complement each other so well.
Of course, “Champagne Problems” comes with several glaring flaws, but that’s just part of the genre at this point. The side characters lack development or personality, the romance feels rushed despite its charm, and there are some cringe-inducing moments that make you feel like you’re sipping flat wine. The movie even ends with Sydney explaining what “champagne problems” actually mean (in case you’re curious, it means issues that seem trivial or indulgent because they come from a place of relative luxury or privilege).
“Champagne Problems” offers nothing new whatsoever, and at times, the romantic story at its core is quite bland, but even when the wine lacks bubbles, it’s still enjoyable. Netflix’s latest Christmas movie proves the streamer isn’t planning to up its festive game, but it still aims to be a source of warm, watchable holiday flicks.
Stream "Champagne Problems" on Netflix.
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