Stars: Catherine Deneuve, Gerard Depardieu, Fabrice Luchini, Karin Viard, Judith Godreche, Jeremie Renier
Running time: 102 mins
Rating: ***

THE title translates as trophy wife – namely Suzanne (Catherine Deneuve, as gorgeous as ever), wife of an industralist – his company makes umbrellas – in Seventies France.

He considers a woman’s place is in the home and his attitude to his workers is that they should do as they’re told.

He’s on a collision course in both his marriage and his factory. But even he couldn’t have predicted that his enraged workers would take him hostage. As a form of industrial action it’s one perhaps more workers should be encouraged to pursue (what’s that I hear – the sound of the managing director locking his door?) With him “tied up” at the factory, Suzanne has to open negotiations – both for his release and for a new agreement with the workers. She proves pretty good at both, proving herself capable to running a business than her husband, who’s in a state of collapse after his ordeal at the hands of his aggrieved employees.

It also brings her in close contact again with the Mayor (Gerard Depardieu), a Communist with whom she has had “friendly” relations in the past.

Her husband’s protective secretary as well as their artistic son and unhappily married daughter all have a part to play in this Potiche coming out of her shell and becoming an independent woman.

The film is based on a play – with a third act added by writer-director Francois Ozon – which lends it a stagey look although that sits well with the big dollop of Seventies nostalgia provided by costumes, sets and outdated attitudes.