"Potiche" is François Ozon's laugh out loud funny and satiric look at women's rights, class and politics with a few sideways glances at social taboos, set in an umbrella factory in a small provincial town in France.
Suzanne (Catherine Deneueve) is the passive wife of tyrannical businessman Robert Pujol (Fabrice Luchini): in fact, Suzanne is the"potiche" for which the film is named. A pitoche is 1. (in general usage) a vase; 2. (in politics) a mere puppet; 3. (in society) a decorative object. In short Suzanne is a trophy wife. Her husband, Pujol owns an umbrella factory (actually Suzanne's father originally owned the factory and Pujol married into the business). But now in charge he is arrogant and condescending, he is just as abusive to his wife and mistress, Nadège (Karin Viard) as he is to his workers. But Pujol's self satisfied life take a turn for the worse when the factory workers first go on strike then take him hostage. In the midst of this chaos, the family decides that Suzanne, who can do no harm and who will do what she is told, should negotiate the release of Mr. Pujol. But Suzanne is now fool and she reaches out to her ex-beau and communist deputy Maurice Babin (Gérard Depardieu) for help. With Babin's help, Suzanne negotiates Pujol's release and agrees to fully consider the workers grievances.
After his release, overworked and in poor health, Robert goes away to recover. Since Suzanne did as she was told in getting him released, Pujol now instructs Suzanne run the company in his absence. How much damage could she do? To everyone's surprise, Suzanne proves to be more than capable manager and administrator. In fact she likes her new position, the workers like her and the factory flourishes. Suzanne even get's her son, Laurent (Jérémie Renier) who previously refused, to work for the company to come on board and she gives her daughter, Joëlle (Judith Godrèche) the chance to work for company she always wanted. When Pujol returns from his convalescence, he wants to reverse the new policies that Suzanne has put in place and get things back to "normal." But the situation gets complicated, Suzanne won't step down without a fight! What ensues is shear madness. Where "Potiche" begins as frothy concoction of fairytales references and unexpected bursts of song, it ends with a dark satirical edge with Pujol feeling helpless and childlike in the face of the new women who emerges.
Deneueve and Depardieu are clearly comfortable working together and that comfort reflects in the ease of their relationship on screen. Luchini, however, is completely over the top, which makes it seem a bit unbelievable (for American audiences) that Suzanne would choose the remain married to Pujol given the choice between the adoration of Babin and the condescension of Pujol. But at one time in France it would have been considered social treason to cross political lines. She couldn't possible leave her husband for a communist! Unfortunately, there are as many similarities to current events in the US as there are in France: union disputes, extreme party politics and inequality in the workplace.
"Potiche" is knowing and self-aware, and therein lies it's comic genus. If that point is missed the film will seems like a potiche itself. Come to be amused while not missing the references to contemporary issues. A farce entertains the audience by means of unlikely, extravagant and improbable situations and "Potiche" does exactly that.
Cast (in credit order): Catherine Deneuve (Suzanne Pujol), Gérard Depardieu (Maurice Babin), Fabrice Luchini (Robert Pujol), Karin Viard (Nadège), Judith Godrèche (Joëlle), Jérémie Renier (Laurent Pujol), full cast and crew.
US Release Date: 18 March 2011. Adapted and directed by François Ozon; play written by Pierre Barillet and Jean-Pierre Grédy. Released by Music Box Films. Running time: 103 minutes; MPAA R; genre: Comedy.
Opening on April 1, 2011 at Landmark’s Lumiere Theatre in San Francisco and Landmark’s Shattuck Cinemas in Berkeley. See local listing for showtimes.
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