POTICHE

Pepe's View:

Based on a stage play by Pierre Barillet and Jean-Pierre Gredy, Potiche (Trophy Wife) is a French Farce in the great French Farce style, albeit set beautifully in the 70's.  None of the characters really take themselves too seriously and although most of the subject matter deals with serious themes such as Women's Liberation, Exploitation of Workers, I found myself chuckling along with the absurdity of the situations and characters.
Catherine Deneuve once again is wonderful as the wife (Suzanne) of a chauvanistic, ruthless, although slightly ineffectual, CEO of an umbrella factory (Robert).  An umbrella factory which was originally owned and run by Deneuve's father!
Deneuve is pampered and treated as nothing more than a plaything by her husband played brilliantly by Fabrice Luchini who objects if his trophy wife expresses any opinion.  Their son, who, it turns out, is not really fathered by Robert is a leftie and interested in fashion and art as well.  Their daughter is a chip off the old block and although none too bright (she is a woman after all) sides with her father when the crunch comes because she sees this as a way to keep her own husband from travelling away from the family.
One of my favourite scenes is after Suzanne takes over the factory while Robert recovered from a heart attack, she informs him on his return that he is no longer needed and that she has installed a TV in his bedroom so he can watch it during the day - he in effect has become Potiche.
Throw Gerard Depardieu into the mix as having a brief affair with Suzanne in the past and who is still madly in love with her, as a leftie politician and the mayor of the town and the scene is set for mayhem.
Great cinematography, beautiful design and superb acting makes this farce a delight.

My Score:  8/10

Ma's View: 

Yes this is a lovely movie not to be taken too seriously - in fact, I thought for a while they were sending themselves up a little and still suspect so.  These 2 iconic French film stars are cast in roles perfect for them - Depardieu as the rough diamond union activist and Deneuve the refined and lovely bourgeous trophy wife of the chauvinistic industrialist, portrayed by Fabrice Luchini with delightful petulance at times.  Deneuve, in her late sixties, could pass for at least 10 years younger while time has not been quite as kind to Depardieu.

The costume department has been given full reign to create some of the more garish ensembles and hair styles of the era and the sound department has supplied very appropriate background music.  Director, Francois Ozon, has re-examined the women's lib pre-occupations of the era with a deft and amusing touch.   It's an improbable plot about somewhat caricatured characters but you are bound to come away with a smile on your face if only because of the absurdity of it all!

My score:  7.5/10