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Movie Info
In 1977 France, tightfisted factory owner Robert Pujol (Fabrice Luchini) is so shocked when his workers strike for higher wages that he suffers a heart attack. His acquiescent wife, Suzanne (Catherine Deneuve), whose father had founded the factory, takes over management duties during Robert's convalescence. To her own surprise, Suzanne turns out to be a natural leader whose less dictatorial management inspires both her workers and local liberal politician Babin (Gérard Depardieu).
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Rating: R (Some Sexuality)
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Genre: Comedy
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Original Language: French (France)
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Director: François Ozon
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Producer: Éric Altmayer, Nicolas Altmayer
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Writer: François Ozon, François Ozon
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Release Date (Theaters): limited
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Release Date (Streaming):
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Box Office (Gross USA): $1.6M
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Runtime:
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Distributor: Music Box Films
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Production Co: Mandarin Films, France 2 Cinéma, FOZ
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News & Interviews for Trophy Wife
Critic Reviews for Trophy Wife
Audience Reviews for Trophy Wife
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French performers Catherine Deneuve and Gerard Depardieu are two household names in their native France but also familiar with English speaking filmgoers. Basically, they've been around and have delivered an incalculable amount of great performances throughout their careers. This is a film that brings them both together (although not for the first time) and serves as a reminder of how skilful and commanding they are on screen. Suzanne Pujol (Catherine Denueve) is a "Potiche" - a decorative, trophy wife - who runs a household, while her husband Robert (Fabrice Luchini) runs the family umbrella factory and philanders with his secretary. A workers strike breaks out which leads to Robert having a heart attack and while he recuperates, Suzanne reluctantly takes control of the family business with her two adult children. However, Suzanne is more shrewd and clever than given credit for and she manages to regain the trust of the workers and turn the fortunes of the business around while steadily gaining respect from numerous corners of society including Maurice Babin (Gerard Depardieu), the influential Mayor. It takes a little time to work up to "Potiche" as it's very dialogue driven. So much so, that it's quite difficult to keep up with the subtitles and it's constant stream of verbal exchanges. However, it's confidently handled and when it does get going it throws in many facets of an individuals life and the complexities and challenges that life throws at us all. Where it's strengths lie is in it's perfectly pitched commentary on the struggle that women faced throughout the 1970's in order to achieve the same equality as men. Denueve's Suzanne Pujol is the perfect embodiment of a woman hanging up her apron and reclaiming her respect and dignity. It also shows a balance between the strength and vulnerability involved in such a time; on the surface, Suzanne is seen as weak yet she grows in confidence and even considers divorcing her husband. Meanwhile, her daughter Joëlle (Judith Godrèche) is seen as strong and independent yet ultimately can't bear to be alone. One of the few decent male figures is Suzanne's son, Laurent (Jérémie Rénier). He's a prominent supporting character and even though he's male and serves as his mothers rock, he seems to carry a certain femininity. This is one of the many clever little devices that provide this film with an astute commentary of the politics and the cognitive shift between the sexes during the 1970's. The only issue I had was the pacing; despite the wonderful story, quirky humour and solid performances, it fails to completely hold your attention. This is a small gripe but still one that I couldn't ignore. If it delivered itself with a bit more urgency, then this would have been top class. A subtly handled little dramatic comedy that manages to incorporate many facets of life and has a sumptuous rendering of the 70's era. It could have been tighter but it's still a lot of fun. Mark Walker
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A engageing story, set in the late 70s, and following the trophy wife of the title, here we get to know her and her family during the family owned factory and its labour disputes, as the uncareing husband to her falls ill, she takes over reins, something she has forgotton about since her new status, the film has plenty of light hearted moments and solid themes, it does run along nicely, even though the last third i lost a bit of interest as she further branches out, it comes off a interesting watch.
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A really charming and colourful comedy which shows that a 67-year-old Catherine Deneuve has lost none of her star power.
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Potiche is a 2010 French-Belgian comedy film directed by François Ozon, based on the play of the same name and it is refreshingly easy to watch. This director has rare ability to make a frothy affair with a radical streak! Catherine Deneuve is here in one of her best comic roles and Gerard Depardeieu is her foil. Two of them make this French farce exceptionally pleasant to watch! Everything is happening in 1977 in a small French town, where Suzanne Pujol lives the life of a traditional housewife, doting on her grumpy husband, Robert (Fabrice Luchini), who spends his days running her family's business into the ground with constant fights with the workers and Union. To her husband and her two grown children, Madame Pujol is a trophy housewife with no real power - in other words: UNE POTICHE! Changes are inevitable when the workers of the umbrella factory go again on strike to protest draconian working conditions. Hell breaks loose and Robert suffers heart-attack and Suzanne is left to run the company with the help of her former boyfriend, the town mayor, Maurice Babin (Gerard Depardieu). That is how the Pandora's box of deception becomes open! It is delightful, empowering and charming movie. Enjoy it!
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