Champagne Problems (2025) - A Netflix Movie Review

Christmas in Paris is a wonderful time of year.

Champagne Problems is a 2025 Netflix film. Sydney, a New York finance executive, travels to France to secure the acquisition of a renowned champagne brand before Christmas. However, a love story brews between Sydney and Henri, the founder’s son.

What are Champagne Problems? It means the problems are not that bad. Champagne Problems is a charming romance film about finding yourself. The film had a much different approach than I thought, but it’s the kind of holiday movie we need more of at this time of year.

Sydney (Minka Kelly) is a workaholic who doesn’t know how to take a break. In comes her travels to Paris, where she experiences a transformative journey. I liked her character and how Kelly played the role.

My initial thought was that it would be a one-night romance story between Sydney and Henri (Tom Waznicka). All the romance sparks fly when they meet in a bookstore.

The film turned out to be a character story. Thibault de Montalembert (Hugo), Sean Amsing (Roberto), Flula Borg (Otto), and Astrid Whettnall (Brigitte) play colorful supporting characters. Although she is not a central character, I adored the sibling relationship between Sydney and Skyler (Maeve Courtier-Lilley).

An adorable dog is along for the journey. This dog reminded me so much of my own, and I missed her all the more while watching.

The characters may seem like your typical cliches: an overenthusiastic man, another with dark traits, and a no-nonsense businesswoman. On this work retreat, the characters bond over Christmas traditions and movies. These people came together for a reason.

The most difficult roads lead to the most beautiful locations. Viewers are taken to the gorgeous landmarks of Paris. Most of the filming was shot in France. I swear, filmmakers spoil us with every stunning location in Paris, like the Eiffel Tower. Key filming locations include the Champagne region, the city of Epernay, and various areas in Reims.

The bookstore where Sydney and Henri meet is my kind of bookstore. You can read a book while enjoying a drink from the bar. The location doesn’t exist and was built inside an old factory. We don’t spend the whole time in the signature parts of Paris, heading into the countryside. The characters make themselves comfortable at Chateau Cassell.

Wine also has a small part in the film. You understand wine more as you grow older. That’s what I learned from Sideways (2004). Filming took place in actual vineyards and actual Champagne houses on Epernay’s famed Avenue de Champagne.

Champagne Problems was written and directed by Mark Steven Johnson. If you don’t know Johnson, he has written for films such as Grumpy Old Men (1993), Jack Frost (1998), and Christopher Robin (2018).

Johnson created a holiday film that’s different. What could have easily been titled “Christmas in Paris” was given a distinguishable title: Champagne Problems. Johnson had a blast working in Paris, calling the destination a dream come true.

There were some moments that I didn’t find necessary, like when the characters do gardening tasks in the field. What did this have to do with the work retreat? While the film is predictable, it’s still a fresh and cozy holiday romance with charming visuals of the Paris countryside. The resolutions are uplifting.

The movie isn’t without its message, and that life isn’t all about work. Life’s greatest adventure is you, and don’t forget that.

Champagne Problems is a heartwarming Netflix film. Take a look at it this holiday season, with family or significant others.