If Netflix has a signature holiday flavor, it’s glossy escapism with a hint of heart — and its latest romantic offering, “Champagne Problems,” promises a fizzy blend of European charm and corporate tension. The film, written and directed by Mark Steven Johnson, sends Minka Kelly to the Champagne region of France for a holiday story that mixes business, pleasure, and bubbles in equal measure.
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Kelly stars as Sydney Price, a rising executive eager to prove herself by leading a significant acquisition for Chateau Cassell, a storied champagne house in the heart of France. When she’s summoned to Paris around Christmas to finalize the deal, Sydney’s confidence is tested by the unexpected allure of Henri Cassell, played by Tom Wozniczka, a charismatic local who turns one night in the City of Lights into something far more intoxicating.
What begins as a fleeting spark becomes complicated when Sydney discovers that Henri is the son of the founder of the very company she’s attempting to buy. With family politics and rival bidders — including the formidable Hugo Cassell, played by Thibault de Montalemert — complicating the vineyard’s fate, the two find their connection impossible to ignore.
Shot amid the rolling hills and candlelit cellars of Champagne, “Champagne Problems” aims for the sweet spot between travelogue and holiday romance, channeling the cozy formula Netflix has refined across hits like “A Castle for Christmas” and “Love Hard.” The supporting cast includes Sean Amsing, Flula Borg, Astrid Whettnall, Xavier Samuel, Mitchell Mullen, and Maeve Courtier-Lilley.
Behind the camera, Mark Steven Johnson — best known for “Love, Guaranteed” and “When in Rome” — reunites with producers Stephanie Slack, Margret H. Huddleston, and Netflix for a project that leans into the warmth and whimsy of the holiday season. From the candlelit vineyards to the streets of Paris dusted in snow, the film appears to pair workplace ambition with a gentle message about slowing down and savoring what matters most.
“Champagne Problems” premieres on Netflix on November 19.
