Potiche
Potiche in French means a decorative vase. It causes no fuss to anyone and sits prettily on the shelf as days go buy. It has no opinion on life or people. If someone shouts in front of it, it sits silent and pretty. If someone goes and insults them, it pays no bother and sits silent and pretty. If it is upset, it won’t say anything, it will just sit; silent and pretty. But it is broken, pushed over an edge, given a voice and a reason then a decorative vase might become something more.
Potiche is also a French term for trophy wife.
Potiche is a 2010 French film based on a play of the same name. Starring Catherine Denevue and Gerald Depardieu, Potiche is about the lonely and forgotten wife of factory own Mr Pujol. Often undermined and insulted, Suzanne Pujol makes her way in a cheery and pleasant manner. However, when her mean and disrespectful husband is held hostage by his striking workers, it is up to Suzanne to step forward and take control of the factory. To many people’s surprise, Suzanne triumphs over people’s misjudgement and with the support of her son and her husbands secretary, Mrs Pujol manages to do a lot more than expected.
Potiche is a pleasant enough film. It has enough wit and charm to carry you along through the whole film. Set in the 1970’s Potiche is at testament to the chauvinistic ideals about women and their marriages. Taking a critical look at women in the workplace, the film is very satirical of naysayers who believe that women should be kept at home while their husbands are earning and cheating.
Catherine Denevue plays a brilliant Suzanne. Underneath the breezy exterior is the fires and charm of a brilliant and intelligent woman. Denevue adds layers to what could easily be a one dimensional character beckoning women to get behind her in an awful way. Playing a woman with unknown secrets that have boiled around her, her transformation from fine china to bellowing bull is fantastic and Denevue portrays that well. Add this to her nice sparring and some brilliant exchanges; Potiche is perfectly lovely to watch.
There is also a wicked dance scene and great chemistry with Depardieu.
The problem with Potiche is that, at times, there are scenes that are stiff and misplaced. Sometimes the plot preposition is awkwardly or forcibly popped in. The characterizations are over acted in the supporting roles and it is a little sickly, especially as we are forced into a colourful story that at times, is a little too ridiculous. There is comedy here but it is marred a little by the over the top metaphors and obviously predictable moments.
Potiche, like colourful and floral vases, is an acquired taste. For some, it will be a charming and beautiful, a brilliant piece to your collection. To others it will be garish and unsettling to the eye, thrown out like a present from a distant relative. Potiche has enough allure to keep you amused. It’s just that chuckle is often followed by a sigh.
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