Review of Potiche (1983) by Amber L — 08 Jul 2011

I can't help but feel that the film resembles its title, potiche. A bit funny but a bit dull, it reminded me of the 1964 "les parapluies de Cherbourg" (the umbrellas of Cherbourg), also with Catherine Deneuve, which I don't like either.

Both films feel contrived. In the case of potiche, it may be because of its origin as a play, which the film feels very much like. The cast is full of great french actors in addition to Catherine Deneuve, Gerard Depardieu, Fabrice Luchini, and others, delivering lines as if they are on a stage.

Words don't ring true. It's probably what Francois Ozon, the director, wanted, but it doesn't work for me. Set in the late 1970s, the decor and clothes are incredibly true to the times. For this only (maybe some nostalgia here), it's worth seeing.

Women's lib is the central theme and treated with humour. The stupid woman (potiche) turns out to be very different from the woman everybody expected. There are some funny situations and lines.