Potiche by François Ozon: the revenge of Catherine Deneuve (review)

The comedy adapted from the eponymous play is rebroadcast this evening on France 3.

Presented in 2010 at the Venice Film Festival, chaired that year by Quentin Tarantino, Potichethe 12th film of François Ozonis offered this evening on France 3. When it was released, the comedy was well received by Première:

“To mark the distance from its theatrical origins, the film begins with a jog in the forest where, in a total red and white Adidas look, Catherine Deneuve is ecstatic, simpering like a Disney princess in front of the chirping doves, the pure does, the fluffy squirrels, without forgetting the rabbits, so cute to see copulating doggy style. Transgressions of this genre, between quietly wanton flashbacks and verbal outbursts, the sequel will not lack, all the more irresistible as they will advance masked before releasing their subversive charge. (…) Known for his laying hen performance and his variety of inspiration close to schizophrenia, Ozon has rarely seemed so keen to share one of his films with as many people as possible, so attentive to master the slightest effect so as not to deviate from the course he has set. This is undoubtedly why he is orchestrating here a ‘historical’ reconstruction worthy of setting a precedent.”

The Revenge of Catherine Deneuve
Fine qualities which allowed the feature film to be nominated three times for the 2011 César in the best actress categories for Catherine Deneuvebest adaptation and best supporting actress for Karin Viard. A feature film also in competition for the best foreign film prize at the BAFTA Awards and the Magritte du cinéma. A ceremony which sacred Jérémie Renier best supporting actor.

Catherine Deneuve plays in this film a bourgeois and submissive wife who finds herself propelled to the head of the umbrella factory run by her husband (Fabrice Luchini). The latter, a despot both at work and at home, was sent to rest after being sequestered by his employees during a strike. Taken for a fool by her children and her husband, Suzanne Pujol will ultimately reveal unsuspected talents as a businesswoman.

Trailer:

Catherine Deneuve: “The word ‘lady’ horrifies me”