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DVD Description
Starring two of the most iconic stars of French cinema, Catherine Deneuve and Gerald Depardieu and directed by acclaimed filmmaker Franҫois Ozon (8 Women, Swimming Pool), Potiche is a hilarious, stylish and subversive romantic comedy that turns the battle of the sexes on its head and refuses to pull any of its punches.
Suzanne is "Potiche"; a beautiful, subservient wife dedicated to serving the selfish whims of her tyrannical husband. But after the exploited workers of his umbrella factory decide to strike, Suzanne takes on the role as head of the company to great success. Although business and personal politics are about to collide with the arrival of Maurice, a charming union leader and a former lover of Suzanne's.
Extras:
Suzanne is "Potiche"; a beautiful, subservient wife dedicated to serving the selfish whims of her tyrannical husband. But after the exploited workers of his umbrella factory decide to strike, Suzanne takes on the role as head of the company to great success. Although business and personal politics are about to collide with the arrival of Maurice, a charming union leader and a former lover of Suzanne's.
Extras:
- Outtakes
- Test Costumes
- Test Trailer
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Vine™ Review
(What's this?)
Boasting an excellent cast on good - but not quite great - form, with Catherine Deneuve giving one of her liveliest performances, Potiche is an enjoyable French battle of the sexes comedy that still leaves you feeling it could have been even better. Based on a 1980 play by Pierre Barillet and Jean-Pierre Grédy and set in a convincingly familiar recreation of the 70s that doesn't over egg the pudding and keeps the design in the background so it doesn't overpower the jokes, it sees Deneuve's ageing poetry-scribbling trophy wife who no-one takes seriously suddenly thrust into the hot seat and replacing husband Fabrice Lucini as the head of the family umbrella factory. Naturally she's only there as one of his manoeuvres to outflank the striking workers, but just as naturally she turns out to be much better at the job than he is...
It may be a filmed play but it's pleasingly cinematic without feeling gratuitously opened out, Ozon even throwing in a nice little nod to Jacques Demy with some colourful umbrellas that would have been just the thing in Cherbourg drawing Deneuve's approval. Unfortunately it loses its way a little after a boardroom coup only fuels her ambition in a last act added by director Francois Ozon to play on the then-recent election campaign that saw Sarkozy come to power. Co-star Gerard Depardieu's health problems are occasionally noticeable and while it's pleasing to see him in good company again, the magic is never quite there in his scenes with Denueve though he's better in his underplayed scenes attempting to bond with Jeremie Renier. But even if it never quite works as well as it promises, there's still much to enjoy here, from the ailing Lucini's autopilot misunderstanding when Karen Viard offers him her `speciality' to the casual swipes at 70s sexism and kitsch tastes.
The UK PAL DVD offers a good subtitled widescreen transfer but is rather short on extras, and those there are are curious - costume tests, trailer and a lengthy selection of outtakes that offer a couple of amusing moments but also show a surprising amount of impatience and not always well disguised genuine irritation from some of the cast members.
It may be a filmed play but it's pleasingly cinematic without feeling gratuitously opened out, Ozon even throwing in a nice little nod to Jacques Demy with some colourful umbrellas that would have been just the thing in Cherbourg drawing Deneuve's approval. Unfortunately it loses its way a little after a boardroom coup only fuels her ambition in a last act added by director Francois Ozon to play on the then-recent election campaign that saw Sarkozy come to power. Co-star Gerard Depardieu's health problems are occasionally noticeable and while it's pleasing to see him in good company again, the magic is never quite there in his scenes with Denueve though he's better in his underplayed scenes attempting to bond with Jeremie Renier. But even if it never quite works as well as it promises, there's still much to enjoy here, from the ailing Lucini's autopilot misunderstanding when Karen Viard offers him her `speciality' to the casual swipes at 70s sexism and kitsch tastes.
The UK PAL DVD offers a good subtitled widescreen transfer but is rather short on extras, and those there are are curious - costume tests, trailer and a lengthy selection of outtakes that offer a couple of amusing moments but also show a surprising amount of impatience and not always well disguised genuine irritation from some of the cast members.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Vine™ Review
(What's this?)
The trailer for Potiche seemed to suggest some kind of Continental rom-com, with Depardieu and Deneuve playing star-crossed lovers who get it together in late middle-age after being thwarted in their earlier years.
Not so; instead this is a subtle social commentary set in the 1970s against a backdrop of industrial strife and the long-term discord of an uninteresting marriage. But it's delivered with a very light touch and some extremely modern moments of risqué humour - at times Potiche is on the verge of being a fully-fledged French farce when sexual favours are bandied around, and no one is quite sure who is the father of whom.
At other moments it is genuinely poignant and full of regret for the missed opportunity of feminism, or the bittersweet decline of a once-romantic relationship. Even so, Potiche seems only to ripple the surface of these themes. That may be the effect of watching with English subtitles; I got the feeling that we were missing out on some of the nuance. However, the performances did seem somewhat stilted - entirely in keeping with the 1970s theme, but a little frustrating. I found it hard to empathise with Deneuve's character as she met male adversity head on, and found the finale - which should have been very satisfying - left me a little mystified.
Even so, this was an entertaining evening's viewing, and far better than its trailer suggested. It doesn't quite hit the 'hilarious' level but certainly provoked some cheery chuckles.
7/10
Not so; instead this is a subtle social commentary set in the 1970s against a backdrop of industrial strife and the long-term discord of an uninteresting marriage. But it's delivered with a very light touch and some extremely modern moments of risqué humour - at times Potiche is on the verge of being a fully-fledged French farce when sexual favours are bandied around, and no one is quite sure who is the father of whom.
At other moments it is genuinely poignant and full of regret for the missed opportunity of feminism, or the bittersweet decline of a once-romantic relationship. Even so, Potiche seems only to ripple the surface of these themes. That may be the effect of watching with English subtitles; I got the feeling that we were missing out on some of the nuance. However, the performances did seem somewhat stilted - entirely in keeping with the 1970s theme, but a little frustrating. I found it hard to empathise with Deneuve's character as she met male adversity head on, and found the finale - which should have been very satisfying - left me a little mystified.
Even so, this was an entertaining evening's viewing, and far better than its trailer suggested. It doesn't quite hit the 'hilarious' level but certainly provoked some cheery chuckles.
7/10
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Vine™ Review
(What's this?)
Potiche is a pleasant enough way to pass a hundred minutes, but is an ultimately completely unsatisfying film. The film makers never seem to quite decide on what they want, drama, comedy, romance, social comment. Had they settled on one or the other I feel a decent film would have resulted. As it is it feels a bit confused and never really gets going. The basic story of a middle aged woman finding new life is a bit hackneyed to say the least, plot and twists, such as they are, are well signposted and there is little by way of surprise or interest. The film appears to reach a natural (unhappy) ending, then keeps going with a story of political campaigning that feels tacked on to resolve the story in a better way for everyone. It doesn't work, as ultimately the story just seems to peter out. Deneuve doesn't really appear to engage with her character and coasts trough on autopilot. Depardieu is the best part of the film, providing a character of sincerity and pathos.
Too serious to work as a comedy. Not enough romance for a romance. Not different enough to be startlingly original or quirky, not conventional enough to work as a romcom with a traditional happy ending. Ultimately unengaging, so only 2 stars.
Too serious to work as a comedy. Not enough romance for a romance. Not different enough to be startlingly original or quirky, not conventional enough to work as a romcom with a traditional happy ending. Ultimately unengaging, so only 2 stars.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Sweet frenchie
Never underestimate the power of the POTICHE! Hilarious insight into the dynamics of relationships.. Sweet film with a nice retro feel..
Published 9 days ago by charmarh
Engaging in parts
There's a reasonable amount to like in this film, but it lacks much of the depth and whimsy of the best French cinema. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mr. Michael Heron
Below Average
French comedy from the usually acerbic Francois Ozon, places the effervescent Catherine Deneuve as the titular Trophy Wife who ends up running the family business due to her... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mr. F. E. Marioni
'Potiche' everso French - mildly amusing
The delivery of the DVD was faultless; Amazon lived up to it's well deserved excellent reputation.
As regards the film, in truth I was somewhat disappointed. Read more
As regards the film, in truth I was somewhat disappointed. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mr. M. Revell
1970's set French Sitcom.....
Both French stars Catherine Deneuve and Gerard Depardieu have made some of France's finest films and covered a huge array of subjects. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Tim Kidner
Political Yet Mild French Comedy
Set in the late 1970s Francois Ozon's adaptation of a play by Pierre Barillet and Jean-Pierre Gredy is a graceful and gentle comedy with some wonderful dialogue, a great soundtrack... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Graeme Wright
a comfortable outing
A modern classic in its own right; the film is simply a joy to behold and quickly flies past. Perhaps not marketed correctly in the UK, this is not a laugh riot of a film but a... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Mr. T. J. Bacon
camp fun
There are many things to enjoy in Ozon's latest film. First among these is the presence of Catherine Deneuve in one of her best roles in recent years. Read more
Published 3 months ago by schumann_bg
NeonTetra Just Love this Film
Francois Ozon presents a true feel of the 70's in this hilarious expose of family loyalties which revolves around a strike at an umbrella factory in 1970's France. Read more
Published 4 months ago by petepen
ok
This is billed as a comedy but the humour is too subtle to be funny. This is not just a cultural thing as many French comedies are much funnier. Read more
Published 4 months ago by T
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