Successful French director Francois Ozon has made a delightful contribution to the French Film Festival with this splendid lightweight comedy about the feminist movement in 1970s France. Parading onto the silver screen with abundant energy and charm, it casually and engagingly introduces its colourful collection of characters with a quick succession of scenes bursting with razor-sharp witticism.
Neglected trophy housewife Suzanne Pujol (Catherine Deneuve) spends her days slaving away in the grand estate of her horrid husband Robert (Fabrice Luchini), the tyrannical boss of a modest Umbrella factory. Robert spends his days immersed in his own corrupt despotism and long evenings of underhand sleaze with his spunky secretary Nadège (Karin Viard). Susanne appears well aware of Robert's nightly habits, but, naturally, she remains as obedient and docile as a puppy dog. It is their now grown-up children, Laurent (Jérémie Renier) and Joëlle (Judith Godrèche), who are the only ones of the family to oppose their father. Although, outside the Pujol family there are many people railing against him, particularly the restless factory workers. Petitions and rallies are not uncommon in the workplace and Robert has responded to each one with typically unproductive rage and stubbornness, but when a particularly violent protest enters illegality and threatens Robert's safety, the family becomes genuinely concerned. However, as they are unwilling to involve the police, Susanne desperately seeks the aid of her former lover the Mayor (Gérard Depardieu) who agrees to help provided that the employees' demands will be properly listened to. Robert is saved, but is still injured, leaving his position to be filled by his wife, until he recovers, seeing as neither Laurent nor Joëlle will volunteer.
This event marks the beginning of Susanne's long journey towards independence and success. Her actions are highly entertaining to watch, and she is played very well by the lovely Deneuve. The rest of the cast is also wonderful, especially Luchini as the despicable misogynist husband and Viard as the feisty feminist secretary who ends up being Susanne's biggest fan. It is simply a sumptuous farcical treat of a film, filled with many tongue-in-cheek inside jokes and highly memorable moments. It might not be as artistic as Incendies, but it does leave one with a much nicer and more satisfied feeling.
Neglected trophy housewife Suzanne Pujol (Catherine Deneuve) spends her days slaving away in the grand estate of her horrid husband Robert (Fabrice Luchini), the tyrannical boss of a modest Umbrella factory. Robert spends his days immersed in his own corrupt despotism and long evenings of underhand sleaze with his spunky secretary Nadège (Karin Viard). Susanne appears well aware of Robert's nightly habits, but, naturally, she remains as obedient and docile as a puppy dog. It is their now grown-up children, Laurent (Jérémie Renier) and Joëlle (Judith Godrèche), who are the only ones of the family to oppose their father. Although, outside the Pujol family there are many people railing against him, particularly the restless factory workers. Petitions and rallies are not uncommon in the workplace and Robert has responded to each one with typically unproductive rage and stubbornness, but when a particularly violent protest enters illegality and threatens Robert's safety, the family becomes genuinely concerned. However, as they are unwilling to involve the police, Susanne desperately seeks the aid of her former lover the Mayor (Gérard Depardieu) who agrees to help provided that the employees' demands will be properly listened to. Robert is saved, but is still injured, leaving his position to be filled by his wife, until he recovers, seeing as neither Laurent nor Joëlle will volunteer.
This event marks the beginning of Susanne's long journey towards independence and success. Her actions are highly entertaining to watch, and she is played very well by the lovely Deneuve. The rest of the cast is also wonderful, especially Luchini as the despicable misogynist husband and Viard as the feisty feminist secretary who ends up being Susanne's biggest fan. It is simply a sumptuous farcical treat of a film, filled with many tongue-in-cheek inside jokes and highly memorable moments. It might not be as artistic as Incendies, but it does leave one with a much nicer and more satisfied feeling.