Directed by: François Ozon, (4/5)
Based on a play from the Seventies, Potiche (“Trophy Wife”) is set in 1977 in provincial France and revolves around the struggles of Suzanne Pujol (Catherine Deneuve) and the dysfunctional relationships of the Pujol family. When her husband Robert (Fabrice Luchini) is taken hostage and becomes ill, Suzanne reluctantly takes over the family business - an umbrella factory - and immediately becomes popular with the workers due to her leniency. With the unlikely aid of her husband’s secretary and her children, she forms an alliance against her husband, threatening to undermine his status as CEO and make him to undergo the humiliation of becoming the “potiche”.
The ensuing battle of the sexes between Suzanne and Robert is immediately apparent; he is cast as a villain of sorts, who exploits his workers in much the same manner as he treats his wife and adult children. The stereotypical nature of his character is emphasised by his affair with his secretary and his blatant admittance to extra-marital affairs. Throughout the film he appears disappointingly two-dimensional, especially when juxtaposed with Suzanne’s old flame Maurice Babin, played by Gerard Depardieu whose presence as an actor tends to speak for itself.
Suzanne does not last long as a trophy housewife, and through predictable events and some great plot twists we come to realise that she is not the submissive women she first appeared to be. Her character is refreshing, and through a well-tailored wardrobe she retains a certain attractiveness which probably adds to her strength. The depiction of a serious feminist theme is (arguably) overridden by the ridiculousness of many of the characters, and also by the nature of the dialogue which is witty at best and comes across clichéd in its attempts to be meaningful.
The film was a bit slow to start with and I found the over-emphasised character building of the family members forced and slightly grating. The climax of the film was overdue but still highly enjoyable and unexpected. Combining optimistic cinematography and aesthetically pleasing colour schemes, Potiche is light hearted and possesses that always impeccable French appeal.
Potiche
