"Potiche" means "trophy wife" in French. Catherine Deneuve, beautiful and glamorous as ever, describes herself as "a trophy housewife," which is more accurate. Either way, she and Gerard Depardieu have a great time in this rather dated French comedy and they are good enough to draw the audience into their fun.
These veteran actors are a delight. Deneuve, in a collection of clothing that just adds to her appeal, and Depardieu, rugged and homely as ever, are both well past 60 years old, but they bring a spirit and a joie de vivre to the screen that warmly embraces the audience. Depardieu has gained some weight and, as A. O. Scott wrote in the New York Times, "has now attained a physical size to match his monumental cultural stature."
Director Francois Ozon, who wrote the screenplay based on a 1970s light comedy by the playwriting team of Pierre Barillet and Jean-Pierre Gredy, gets off to a slow start as he introduces the Robert Pujol family, father and factory owner Fabrice Luchini; mother Suzanne (Deneuve), whose family built the umbrella factory; and adult children Laurent (Jeremie Renier) and Joelle (Judith Godreche). And don't forget Nadege (Karin Viard), long-time secretary to and mistress of Robert.
And then the umbrella factory workers go on strike. The French, always more hands-on than Americans in labor disputes, promptly kidnap Robert and hold him hostage. Depardieu, as M. Babin, a bureaucrat with Communist ideals, gets into the negotiations. so does Mme. Pujol, calling on her legacy as the daughter of the kindly, paternalistic founder. There are moments of French farce, nicely handed by Ozon, and though the plot is sometimes creaky, as a 30-year-old play would offer, all is rescued by the stars.
It's a joy to watch Deneuve and Depardieu work together. Acting is second nature to them, with no need for preening, or scenery-chewing. They turn an ordinary script into a joy.
Potiche opens today at the Plaza Frontenac
—Joe