Lovesusti The Worst Film Ever

GazerRise Fantastic!

Dirtylogy It's funny, it's tense, it features two great performances from two actors and the director expertly creates a web of odd tension where you actually don't know what is happening for the majority of the run time.

Mandeep Tyson The acting in this movie is really good.

jotix100 Suzanne Pujol, like some women in her social position, was instrumental in starting the careers of the men they marry. That is, if the husband does not come from money, the thankful father-in-law made anything possible for the man who marry his princess to do well in life, even directing and managing the family business after his retirement, and giving him a taste of life of comfort he never knew.This is basically the premise of Francois Ozon's "Potiche" which we caught in DVD format recently. It is based on a theater piece, probably one of those light comedies that are much loved by the French. The transfer to the screen is done with a look to the past, as only Mr. Ozon could have pulled and yet he opened the play in ways that show his intelligence toward the original material written for the stage by Pierre Barrillet and Jean-Pierre Gredy.Mr. Ozon brings two of the most iconic stars of France to appear together in "Potiche". Catherine Deneuve is the embodiment of a star, if ever there was one. Gerard Depardieu is also seen as the man who once had a torrid affair with Suzanne. Fabrice Luchini is Robert Pujol, the lucky man that married a trophy wife. The sublime Karin Viard is wonderful as Nadege, Robert's long suffering secretary with whom he has been having a long affair. Jeremie Renier and Judith Godreche complete the Pujol family.It is clear the message of "Potiche" is a feminist one. Suzanne, who led a somewhat serene life must act quickly if she wants to save her father's business from everything her husband Robert could not do himself. In the process she clearly shows a talent for business as well as politics. The best scene in the film shows Ms. Deneuve and Mr. Depardieu in a night club dancing something out of the disco era.

PipAndSqueak Xst almighty, this film is one hell of a load of BS. Frankly, if you even contemplate going to see it, think again. Fat Catherine Deneurve and positively obese Depardieu do not compensate for a terrible script and awful retro 70's ambiance that isn't even true to life. So we're supposed to get the irony of the double dealing characters - all of whom do the dirty on the others at some point. Really, who exactly are you supposed to empathise with? The Neanderthal father and CEO of an umbrella firm that has his name but is supposedly the company set up by his wife's grandfather (whose name can't possibly have been that of her husband) - unless we have incest as well as all the other shenanigans. And the daughter, who complains to her mother about her being a slave in her marriage turns on her mother and votes for her father to take back the management of the firm so that her mostly absent husband can take her new (given to her by her mother) role at the firm. Oh come off it. This is truly crap - and not even believable crap.

Lee Eisenberg François Ozon's "Potiche" combines the labor movement with women's lib. It stars Catherine Deneuve as housewife Suzanne, whose husband Robert (Fabrice Luchini) owns an umbrella factory in 1977 France. When the workers go on strike and take Robert hostage, Suzanne has to negotiate with communist leader Maurice Babin (Gérard Depardieu) for his release...which leads to her taking leadership of the company! Along with this, the movie shows other things. Both of Suzanne and Robert's children have ended up on opposite ends of the political spectrum, while Suzanne and Maurice have a history of their own, and Robert has no qualms about the prospect of outsourcing the jobs to Tunisia, where he can pay cheaper wages. There's even a song early in the movie with a surprising lyric at the end! But overall, even though "Potiche" is not the best movie ever made, it's still a good look at the changing mores in the late '70s, with input from all sides. Definitely one that I enjoyed (and that I recommend).Also starring Karin Viard, Judith Godrèche and Jérémie Renier.

shentongnewyork Review of POTICHE (Trophy Wife) The GoodIt's a a frothy comedy, but managed to touch upon complex issues of gender, personal triumph and defeat, marriage crisis, ideologies and political dynamics intertwined with personal lives. It's done so without getting heavy, almost effortless, making the viewing experience a delight.Suzanne Pujol is another star vehicle for Catherine Deneuve. And no matter how many times I've seen this, and regardless of her age, she seems to deserve it as her birth right. Deneuve bounced off descent performances by a star line-up of half of the who's who in French cinema including the likes of Gérard Depardieu, and it was fun to watch.The plot and the ending are not over the top, though very polished still somewhat true to life. Easy said than done for a personal triumph story in a light comedy.The BadDeneuve seems to be having so much fun in her role, but I never quite cared as much. At more than one occasions, their performance may appear effortless at first, but getting thin and tiring quickly. The characters' youthful indiscretions, twists and turns in the plots seem to be strong spices without good food to cling on to.The UglyIt is so polished that, at times, I feel three or four short trailers would have done the job. Kind of like visiting a small pantheon of contemporary French acting Gods in a lazy Sun afternoon.