The pairing of Catherine Deneuve and Gerard Depardieu (as two powerhouse actors of modern French cinema) speaks volumes for Potiche, chosen as the opening film for the Alliance Francaise 2011 French Film Festival because of its accessible leading pair as well as the endearing story. French cinema is all about love, life and loss magnified with much dramatic flair, and you find no exception here. As a comedy and a lesson on being true to yourself, this film remains fun throughout.

The 1970s brought revolution to females across the world, but besides bra burning there was a sense of increased confidence in womens’ self worth. 1977 is the timeframe for Potiche, where Suzanne Pujol (Deneuve) is a happy trophy wife, jogging, writing poems and accepting that her husband Robert (Fabrice Luchini) is a constant cheater. But with a sudden change of events at the family umbrella factory, Suzanne steps in for the rescue and discovers her capabilities are far more proficient than she – or anyone – expected. With the dramas surrounding any given family and a business (early seasons of Brothers and Sisters a key example), the film plays on the stereotypes of the out-of-favour son and the troubled daughter as they become involved in the dealings and controversies of their parents. Appearing rather sinister in writing, on-screen it becomes something of a parody, with a cheesy 70s cop-show score and melodramatic scripting giving it a form more similar to a soapie. The comedy rises here as the antics of Suzanne and Robert border on the ridiculous, but as the local Mayor’s influence on the story progresses it manages to stabilize. Enter Gerard Depardieu, whose character is as hopeful as he is manipulative in a solid performance. Everyone has their own motives for personal gain in Potiche as the problems with the factory bring out insecurities and uncertainty; questions of who they are and who they want to be are forced upon them all.

Based on a French play, director Francois Ozon (8 Women) has created a colourful and reflective film as the Pujol family find reason within their internal dilemmas. The cast is playful amid the 70’s backdrop, with Deneuve possessing an effortless presence as Suzanne, while Judith Godreche as daughter Joelle capably embodies the film’s most conflicted character. The score is entertaining and Ozon’s scripting is imaginative as Potiche reveals that there’s more to a trophy wife than looking pretty.

Verdict

Deneuve sparkles as a Potiche with heart in this light-hearted comedy.

Potiche screens as part of the 2011 Alliance Francaise French Film Festival.

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