Potiche

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Potiche

R,

2011,

1h 43m,

Comedy

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Watchlist

84%

116 Reviews

Tomatometer

61%

2,500+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

84%

Tomatometer

116 Reviews

61%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

In 1977 France, tightfisted factory owner Robert Pujol (Fabrice Luchini) is so shocked when his workers strike for higher wages that he suffers a heart attack. His acquiescent wife, Suzanne (Catherine Deneuve), whose father had founded the factory, takes over management duties during Robert's convalescence. To her own surprise, Suzanne turns out to be a natural leader whose less dictatorial management inspires both her workers and local liberal politician Babin (Gérard Depardieu).

Kimber Myers

The Playlist

Aug 15, 2013

B-

Even though we don't really care about the dialogue or script at times, it's easy--and fun!--to be distracted by the pretty pictures.

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Derek Malcolm

London Evening Standard

Jun 17, 2011

3/5

Deneuve's combination of dignity and a determined ordinariness is just right, while Depardieu's lovelorn political beast is equally watchable.

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Anthony Quinn

Independent (UK)

Jun 17, 2011

3/5

Catherine Deneuve is on magnificent form -- singing and dancing! -- in Franois Ozon's comedy of female emancipation in the 1970s.

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Merryn Johns

Curve

May 24, 2022

This charming tale of a cosseted French housewife, Suzanne, who takes over her tyrannical husband’s umbrella factory and meets the requests of its mutinous employees, is a tale of feminist awakening -- it’s a war of the classes, and the sexes.

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Popmatters Staff

PopMatters

Dec 11, 2021

Catherine Deneuve embraces absurdity and creates a sharp contrast between her statue-like beauty with the silliness of her setting.

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Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

Sep 20, 2020

3.5/4.0

Universal enough in its themes and dialogue that it would serve as a great intro to French cinema.

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Theodore S

May 14, 2018

I don't like to give bad reviews but I have to say that this movie was pretty silly and not that entertaining considering the star power. The premise is interesting. I think the moral of the story is don't let anyone else's thoughts of you hold you back to realizing your dreams. You have unlimited potential no matter your circumstances. No real need to see this film

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Draco R

Jan 24, 2012

In the words of my (bilingual) partner: "ce film, c'est de bollocks". This being French, the C, K and S are silent. Whatever are actors of this calibre doing here? I cannot think of anything positive to say. We could not watch it and switched off after 20 minutes.

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François Ozon

Director

Catherine Deneuve

Suzanne Pujol

Gérard Depardieu

Maurice Babin

Fabrice Luchini

Robert Pujol

Karin Viard

Nadège

Judith Godrèche

Joëlle

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Synopsis

In 1977 France, tightfisted factory owner Robert Pujol (Fabrice Luchini) is so shocked when his workers strike for higher wages that he suffers a heart attack. His acquiescent wife, Suzanne (Catherine Deneuve), whose father had founded the factory, takes over management duties during Robert's convalescence. To her own surprise, Suzanne turns out to be a natural leader whose less dictatorial management inspires both her workers and local liberal politician Babin (Gérard Depardieu).

Director: François Ozon
Producer: Éric Altmayer, Nicolas Altmayer
Screenwriter: François Ozon, Pierre Barillet, Jean-Pierre Grédy
Distributor: Music Box Films
Production Co: Goodfellas S.L., Mars Films, Scope Pictures, France 2 Cinéma, Mandarin Films, FOZ
Rating: R (Some Sexuality)
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: French (France)
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 25, 2011, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 16, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $1.6M
Runtime: 1h 43m

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