POTICHE

Any new movie from Francois Ozon, one of my favorite directors, is something that I always eagerly anticipate.  And true to form his latest one that I have just watched at the Miami Film Festival was classic Ozon, and a real treat.

Set in 1977 it’s the story of Suzanne a sadly put-upon trophy wife (potiche) of Robert a tyrannical little man who runs the family owned umbrella factory.  Hated by all his employees, barely tolerated by his wife, ignored by his children, and his reign of terror comes screeching to a halt when his striking workers hold him hostage.  Suzanne pays a visit to M. Babin who is not only the Mayor and Local Communist MP but once had a fling with Suzanne in their very distant pasts.  With all the stress Robert has a heart attack and Suzanne takes over the business and discovers to everyone’s sheer surprise  (especially her own) that she actually is a confident and competent woman who excels at being a fair minded and efficient Boss.

This truly delightful movie probably reads like a classic French boulevard comedy on the page but in the talented hands of M. Ozon it becomes a deliciously hilarious and extremely camp comedy.  It’s made so watchable primarily because Suzanne is played by the grande dame of French Cinema Catherine Deneuve, who’s captivating performance here makes all the somewhat silly twists and turns of the plot almost believable.

A delectable treat, with a very distinct old-fashioned feel to it, that is quintessentially French. Where else would the winning candidate in an election burst into song?  And for really silliness, picture this:  the elegant Ms Deneuve as Suzanne and a fiercely overweight Gerard Depardieu as M. Babin in a nightclub doing the ‘Night Fever’ dance routine together…hmm!

R.T.V. If you loved M. Ozon’s  ‘8 Women’ then you will adore this.  It’s no masterpiece, but still a great deal of silly fun.