Potiche

103 minutes

France

Set in 1977 in a provincial French town, POTICHE is a free adaptation of the eponymous hit comic play.Catherine Deneuve is Suzanne Pujol, a submissive housebound 'trophy housewife' (or "potiche") who steps in to manage her wealthy and tyrannical husband (Fabrice Luchini)'s umbrella factory after the workers go on strike and take him hostage.To everyone's surprise, Suzanne proves herself a competent and assertive woman of action.But when her husband returns from a restful cruise in top form, things get complicated.Giarard Depardieu plays a former union leader and Suzanne's ex-beau who still holds a flame for her.Acclaimed writer-director Francois Ozon ("Swimming Pool," "Under the Sand," "Time to Leave,") who had previously directed Ms. Deneuve in the international hit "8 Women," twists the original play on its head to create his own satirical and hilarious take on the war between the sexes and classes.

84% on the CINEMETER

87% - Mar 6, 2011

This was a hoot! I suppose it had a women's empowerment message, too, but mostly it was a bunch of silly fun. It was the perfect film for this rainy day! I loved the awful 1970s home d√É¬©cor, the ridiculous men's hairstyles, great score, which did a terrific job of setting the mood (kind of a combo of bubblegum and disco music... LOL) Great comments from Mr. Peary.
Washington, DC Member

Enchantee! A feminist triumph! Catherine Deneuve is sparkling! I loved the opening riff on Disney's Song of the South√¢‚Ç¨¬¶ zip a dee do dah√¢‚Ç¨¬¶
Washington, DC Member

Evoked lots of good feelings, even annoyance at Mr. Pujol. Some of the stereotypes were bothersome at first but then seemed sad. Great to see Catherine Deneuve act and age so beautifully.
Washington, DC Member

STL

75% - Mar 20, 2011

I enjoyed the film for its striking resemblance to issues today: disregard for the workers, greed (outsourcing, etc). The people were credible because of the stereotypical physical casting. Lightweight but enjoyable.
St. Louis Member

Fun. Distinctly French and farcial. Catherine Deneuve is so classy.
St. Louis Member

Tres bien. Poignant, nice layering of French romance and politics. Deneuve is luminous and vital. Lyrical and poetic.
St. Louis Member

88% - Feb 27, 2011

Fun & fluffy - 9 to 5 the French way. What a relief after so many depressing explicit vioent dark films.
San Francisco Member

Characters were cartoony...excellent acting made this the most fun I've had in a movie in years!
San Francisco Member

Interesting to compare it to Made in Dagenham which touched on many of the same issues. Loved loved loved Catherine Deneuve√¢‚Ç¨¬¶but when isn't she great?
San Francisco Member

76% - Mar 13, 2011

Very, very funny in French. The expressions, the intonations, the class references - kep me laughing almost continuously.
Greater New Haven Member

Hilarious in the style of the Comedie Francaise. Depardieu looks like Balzac now!
Greater New Haven Member

Catherine Deneuve is enchanting. She is and will continue to be a real star. Though predictable, the story ws fun and age appropriate (one of the more memorable lines in recent film). A real delight!
Greater New Haven Member

MIL

85% - Mar 20, 2011

A lot of fun! Especially if you've seen Umbrellas of Cherbarry. It was very relevant today in terms of the ideological divide.
Milwaukee Member

Enjoyable and enchanting, particularly in these troubling times from Madison to DC to Tokyo and Libya. Thanks!
Milwaukee Member

Caught the attitudes of the 70s in a funny and biting way. Many women stopped accepting passive roles in those times, but much remains to be done. Nice touch that the daughter was the reacher not the son.
Milwaukee Member

BOS

85% - Feb 27, 2011

The French know how to do it! It was such a pleasure to see a mature comedy!
Boston Member

So typically French! Nice, clever plot twists and several LOL moments. Gerard Depardieu is a great comic actor and Catherine Denueve is great and still beautiful!
Boston Member

Boston Member

BOCA

92% - Feb 27, 2011

Lovely, adorable, uplifting, enjoyable, theatrical, entertaining, empowering, motivating, delightful, progressive, cute, enchanting, light, pleasant, light-hearted.
Boca Raton Member

I don't want to be a potiche on the shelf any more. I'm leaving my husband.
Boca Raton Member

This was one of the most pleasant films I have ever seen. You couldn't help smiling and laughing through the whole film.
Boca Raton Member

ATL

86% - Mar 6, 2011

Charming variation on what could have been just another formula picture. Surprisingly cinematic for an adaptation from a stage play. Wonderful character beats--looks, pauses. Please don't let this be remade as a Reese Witherspoon vehicle!
Atlanta Member

Loved the attention to 70's detail--the credit type face, bell's Farah Fawcett hair, the music, the Saturday Night Fever reference, etc. All those details really created the feel and look of the decades.
Atlanta Member

For the most part, I liked the use of the absurd to tell such a strong feminist story and an older woman's coming of age. I think the humor and absurdity allow the serious message to come across stronger.
Atlanta Member

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