Potiche (Trophy Wife) is a French film that was released March 25, 2011. It was directed by François Ozon. It stars Catherine Deneuve, Gérard Depardieu, Fabrice Luchini, Karin Viard, Judith Godrèche, and Jérémie Renier. It is in French with English subtitles. It is currently showing at Market Street Cinema in Little Rock.
The film, based on a 1970's French stage play by the same name, takes place in 1977. Women's Liberation and Organized Labor are major themes in this film. Suzanne Pujol (Catherine Deneuve) is the wife of Robert Pujol (Fabrice Luchini), who runs the umbrella factory formerly run by Suzanne's late father. When the film starts out, Suzanne is a 'happy on the outside trophy wife'. Robert has at least one mistress in his secretary Nadège (Karin Viard). They have two adult children, Joelle (Judith Godrèche) and Laurent (Jérémie Renier). Joelle and Laurent both have spouses, but neither are shown on screen. Joelle takes after her father, and Laurent takes after his mother.
Workers at the factory strike, setting off a chain of events that leaves Robert hospitalized and Suzanne in charge of factory operations. She first has to negotiate with the disgruntled workers. She gets considerable help from her children, Nadege (the two grow to repect each other as the film progresses), as well as Mayor Maurice Babin (Gérard Depardieu). It turns out Suzanne and the Mayor have some history. Time goes on, and Suzanne becomes comfortable with her new circumstances. Robert returns fully healed, and then a power struggle takes place between the couple.
Potiche is a lighthearted comedy. From the opening title sequence, it has the look and feel of the decade of the 70s. The characters each adjust to the rapidly changing circumstances in their own way. Each has his/her own issues to deal with, but the movie (and the town it takes place in) remains firmly centered around Suzanne. She goes from being the 'Trophy Wife' to her husband to the 'Mother Hen' to everyone, so to speak. Her relationship with her husband evolves, as well as it does with her children. She does this without any major changes in her character (apart from finally standing up for herself). She's still the same in the end, but she forces everyone to acknowledge (and deal with) her presence.
This is an excellent film, four and a half stars. If you can go see it, go see it. Don't let the subtitles scare you away.
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