Champagne Problems Parent Guide

Days before Christmas, workaholic Sydney (Minka Kelly) is sent to France by her firm to close a deal for a struggling champagne business. On her first night in Paris, she fulfills a promise to her sister (Maeve Courtier-Lilley) to take a night off and enjoy the city. In a hidden bookstore she meets Henri (Tom Wozniczka) and the two share a romantic evening exploring the City of Lights. But the next morning, she discovers Henri is the son of Hugo Cassell (Thibault de Montalembert), owner of the champagne business she’s there to acquire. Competing with other potential buyers, Sydney can’t afford to be distracted - no matter how handsome that distraction might be.

After years of trying, Netflix has their Christmas romantic comedies down to a science. They know exactly what people want from these films, and they deliver on it (most of the time). The point of a movie like Champagne Problems isn’t to break new creative ground or explore complex themes: the point is to have two pretty people fall in love in beautiful locales surrounded by gorgeous Christmas lights while some stereotypical side characters tell lighthearted jokes. Montages are Insta-inspired, conflict is easily resolved, and everything wraps up tidily with a declaration of love. That’s what viewers want, and Netflix is going to give it to us multiple times a season.

If you enjoy Christmas rom-coms, Champagne Problems is a solid entry to the ever-growing canon. The leads have great chemistry and give acceptable performances. The story is cozy and fun, anchored by a healthy romantic relationship. Side characters could be criticized for being stereotypical, but the script is self-aware enough to make the stereotyping the joke, rather than the culture or group being portrayed. I loved some of the side characters and they provide the majority of the “com” in this rom-com.

As with most holiday romances, this is not a film for children. However, I would rank it on the cleaner side of the genre as there’s no on-screen sexual activity and the swearing is relatively mild. The main concern is, of course, the level of alcohol consumption, which isn’t surprising in a plot that revolves around champagne production. For adult genre fans looking for a relatively clean romance, Champagne Problems is a sweet, bubbly production that’s sure to get you in the holiday mood.

About author

Savannah Sillito

Savannah Sillito is a librarian with a master's in library science, a bachelor's degree in English, and a certificate in early childhood education. She enjoys nonfiction books, travel, and is a staunch proponent of the Oxford comma.