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Lost in Paris (2017) movie poster

Characters & Themes

Lost in Paris (2017) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2017 · 83 min · English
Echo score 72
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Starring
Emmanuelle Riva, Céline Laurentie, Charlotte Dubery, David Palatino, Dominique Abel, Emmy Boissard Paumelle

Following a letter from her aunt, Fiona unexpectedly travels to Paris, where she discovers her relative has disappeared. Lost and disoriented in the City of Light, she finds herself in a whirlwind of comical mishaps. Along the way, she persistently encounters Dom, a charming but troublesome wanderer who complicates her search and leads her into further unpredictable adventures.

On this page (8)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (3)
  3. 3 Where & when it takes place
  4. 4 Themes & meaning (3)
  5. 5 Character & meaning questions
  6. 6 Movie threads
  7. 7 Categories
  8. 8 Every angle
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3 main characters · contains spoilers

Lost in Paris Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of Lost in Paris (2017), heroes and villains: what drives them, how they change over the course of the story and what each of them reveals about the film's bigger ideas.

  • Fiona

    played by Fiona Gordon

    Fiona is a determined and spirited woman who embarks on a comical yet poignant journey to save her aunt from assisted living. Her character demonstrates resilience, humor, and the struggle of coming to terms with loss. She is portrayed as caring and adventurous, navigating the chaos of Paris with a sense of hope.

    • 👩‍🎓 Adventurous
    • 💖 Caring
    • 🌍 Resilient
  • Dom

    played by Dominique Abel

    Dom is a quirky and resourceful man living on the fringes of Paris society. He embodies a mix of charm and mischief, developing unexpected feelings for Fiona as they navigate their predicaments together. His comedic yet earnest demeanor reveals a deeper longing for connection and belonging.

    • 😄 Quirky
    • 👨‍❤️‍👨 Romantic
    • 🏕️ Resourceful
  • Martha

    Martha is Fiona's aunt, who embodies the complexity of aging with a feisty spirit. Her character reveals the struggles faced by the elderly in maintaining their independence, and her unexpected escapades paint her as more than just a typical elder. Through her story, we see the nuances of family bonds and memories.

    • 👵 Independent
    • 🌟 Complex
    • 🗝️ Secretive

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:45

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Setting

Where and When Does Lost in Paris Take Place?

The setting of Lost in Paris (2017): the year and time period, the places and locations, and how they shape the characters, the mood and the tension of the story.

Time period

The movie is set in contemporary times, reflecting the modern struggles of individuals facing familial responsibilities and personal discoveries. The urgency of Fiona's quest highlights the complexities of aging and the emotional weight of loss.

Location

Paris, Île aux Cygnes, Seine River

Paris, known as the City of Lights, is a vibrant metropolis famous for its art, fashion, and cuisine. Iconic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower and the Seine River enhance its romantic allure. Île aux Cygnes, a small island on the Seine, serves as a serene backdrop for personal reflections and farewells.

  • 🏙️ City
  • 🗼 Landmark
  • 🌊 Waterway

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:45

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3 major themes

Lost in Paris Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is Lost in Paris (2017) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Loss

    The theme of loss permeates the narrative as Fiona grapples with the death of her aunt Martha and the uncovering of familial secrets. It explores how love and remembrance intertwine with grief, illustrated by Fiona's journey of emotional healing. The characters learn to navigate their relationships amidst the backdrop of mourning.

  • Connection

    Connection is a central theme as Fiona and Dom's unexpected bond develops through shared experiences and chaos. Their journey showcases the power of friendship and love formed in unusual circumstances, emphasizing how humans can help one another find purpose and solace.

  • Identity

    The search for identity is personified in Fiona's quest to reconnect with her family heritage and understand her aunt's life. As she delves deeper into Martha's past, Fiona confronts her own beliefs and desires, leading to growth and self-discovery throughout the film.

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:45

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Character & theme questions

Lost in Paris Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about Lost in Paris (2017): who the characters really are, their relationships, what the symbols mean, where it takes place and what the movie is really about. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Where is the movie set?

The movie is set in Paris, known as the City of Lights. Key locations include the iconic Eiffel Tower, the Seine River, and the quieter Île aux Cygnes island, which serves as a reflective backdrop for personal moments in the story.

  • paris settings
  • Eiffel Tower
  • Seine River
  • Île aux Cygnes
Q2

What time period is the story set in?

The film is set in contemporary times, reflecting modern-day Paris and the current era. The story deals with present-day struggles of individuals facing familial responsibilities and personal discoveries.

  • contemporary
  • modern paris
  • time period
Q3

What are the main themes of the film?

The movie explores three central themes: Loss, as Fiona deals with her aunt's death and uncovers family secrets; Connection, showing how Fiona and Dom form an unexpected bond through their adventures; and Identity, as Fiona searches for her family heritage while discovering more about herself.

  • loss
  • connection
  • identity
  • themes
Q4

What does the loss theme explore?

The loss theme permeates the narrative as Fiona grapples with her aunt Martha's death and uncovers family secrets. It explores how love and remembrance intertwine with grief, showing Fiona's journey of emotional healing as she navigates mourning while on her quest.

  • grief
  • mourning
  • death
  • family secrets
Q5

How does the connection theme develop in the story?

Connection is central to the film, developing through Fiona and Dom's unexpected bond formed during shared experiences and chaos in Paris. Their relationship showcases the power of friendship and love born in unusual circumstances, emphasizing how people can help each other find purpose and solace.

  • friendship
  • bond
  • relationship
  • connection
Q6

What does the identity theme mean in the movie?

The identity theme is personified in Fiona's quest to reconnect with her family heritage and understand her aunt Martha's life. As she investigates Martha's past, Fiona confronts her own beliefs and desires, leading to personal growth and self-discovery throughout the film.

  • self-discovery
  • heritage
  • family
  • personal growth
Q7

Who is the main character Fiona?

Fiona Gordon is a determined and spirited woman who travels to Paris after receiving a letter from her aunt Martha. She demonstrates resilience, humor, and the struggle of coming to terms with loss while caring for her aunt and navigating the chaos of the city with hope.

  • fiona gordon
  • protagonist
  • main character
Q8

Who is Dom in the movie?

Dom (Dominique Abel) is a quirky, resourceful man living on the fringes of Paris society. He embodies charm and mischief, developing unexpected feelings for Fiona as they navigate their predicaments together. His comedic yet earnest demeanor reveals a deeper longing for connection and belonging.

  • dom
  • dominique abel
  • character
Q9

Who is Fiona's aunt Martha?

Martha is Fiona's aunt, depicted as a complex elderly character with a feisty spirit. She represents the struggles faced by the elderly in maintaining independence. Her story reveals the nuances of family bonds and memories, and her unexpected escapades paint her as more than a typical elder character.

  • martha
  • aunt
  • elderly character
Q10

What is the tone of the movie?

The film has a whimsical tone driven by eccentric characters and absurd physical comedy. However, it carries a bittersweet undercurrent through its theme of loss. The emotional weight remains light overall, with even the sad event of Martha's death treated in a comedic way, such as the funeral eulogy mishap.

  • comedy
  • tone
  • whimsical
  • bittersweet
Q11

What Parisian landmarks appear in the film?

The film showcases Paris's romantic allure through iconic landmarks including the Eiffel Tower and the Seine River. Île aux Cygnes, a small island on the Seine, serves as a serene backdrop for personal reflections and farewells, adding to the film's visual charm.

  • eiffel tower
  • landmarks
  • paris scenery
Q12

What is Fiona's emotional journey in the film?

Fiona's main emotional journey involves her initial disorientation in Paris evolving into a budding connection with Dom. Set against the picturesque Parisian backdrop, she transforms from being lost and confused to finding hope and new companionship, balanced with the sadness of her aunt's passing.

  • emotional journey
  • character arc
  • fiona

Movie threads

More Movies Like Lost in Paris, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Lost in Paris tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Whimsical urban misadventures like Lost in Paris

Endearing characters navigating a series of comical blunders in a vibrant city. Discover movies like Lost in Paris, featuring charming, lighthearted comedies set in vibrant cities where characters find themselves lost in a series of quirky misadventures and unexpected friendships. If you enjoyed the whimsical chaos of Parisian life, you'll love these similar stories.

  • whimsical
  • quirky
  • comedic
  • lighthearted
  • charming
  • dreamlike
  • Tone: whimsical, lighthearted
  • Pacing: steady, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative typically follows a character, often an outsider, whose simple goal is complicated by a cascade of lighthearted, improbable events. The journey is less about solving a major conflict and more about the comedic detours and the charmingly flawed people they meet along the way.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped by their shared whimsical tone, low-intensity pacing, and focus on character-driven comedy over plot. They create a feeling of a delightful, slightly surreal tour through a city, where the destination is less important than the amusing journey.

Bittersweet quirky romances like Lost in Paris

Unconventional love stories that blend gentle humor with poignant reflection. Explore bittersweet quirky romance movies similar to Lost in Paris. These films feature charmingly awkward love stories that mix lighthearted humor with moments of poignant emotion, perfect if you liked the dynamic between Fiona and Dom and the film's hopeful yet realistic ending.

  • bittersweet
  • quirky
  • romantic
  • charming
  • lighthearted
  • comedic
  • Tone: bittersweet, charming
  • Pacing: steady, reflective
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The romantic arc involves two mismatched or eccentric people brought together by chance or a shared peculiar situation. Their relationship grows through a series of comedic and sometimes awkward interactions, but the story acknowledges real-world complexities like grief or personal baggage, leading to a realistically hopeful rather than fairy-tale conclusion.

Why they belong together: They share a specific emotional blend: the warmth and humor of a budding romance is balanced by a bittersweet undercurrent, often from themes of loss or personal struggle. The pacing is steady, focusing on character connection, and the overall emotional weight remains light to medium.

Categories

Movie Lists Featuring Lost in Paris

Lost in Paris appears in these hand-built movie categories. Each one groups movies by a specific mood, theme or story type, with their plot summaries and endings explained.

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Every angle

Lost in Paris (2017) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Lost in Paris in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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