There is hardly a dull moment in Potiche. With a cast like Catherine Deneuve (who shines in this film) and the legendary Gerard Dépardieu, the film was a rare treat from modern French cinema which left everyone clearly satisfied.
Set in the 1970s, the film follows Suzanne Bujol (Deneuve) as she transforms from a trophy-wife (potiche in French) to a strong character surprising us and those around her with her abilities, intelligence and cynicism.
The film starts like an old French film with family humour but transforms to an obvious satire on French politics and becomes a sensitive inspiring drama later.
Switching genres in one film is rarely successful but director François Ozon excels in making it smooth and enjoyable.
The moments where Suzanne and her former lover Maurice Babin (Dépardieu) share the screen are truly unforgettable and hilarious, yet so effortlessly acted that you cannot but respond to them.
And perhaps that's where the beauty of Potiche lies. Whether you take it seriously (rather naively) or like it is meant with a pinch of salt, it is certain to evoke a feeling in you.
