The President's Wife

When I heard about this script and casting (Deneuve), I really wasn't sure how it was going to be pulled off. Imagine if Bernadette Chirac said she wanted Catherine Deneuve to portray her in her biopic (which this sort of it, but isn't).

But with her glorious acting chops, Deneuve presents a clever and sarcastic Chirac in a very particular period of her life, and somehow, she makes it work! She has excellent comedic timing and deserves plenty of accolades for her abilities, longevity, charm, and choices in films.

Overall, a film for Chirac fans, Deneuve fans, or lovers of French politics, but perhaps a bit too specific and better suited for a particular audience (older), though it will be well-received in France, French Canada, and by politically-minded francophiles - and maybe not so much otherwise.

What a delightfully wicked comedy drama The President's Wife is! Bernadette Chirac, the wife of the former French President Jacques Chirac, has for years been overshadowed by her politically astute husband. But she's had enough. It's time for her to carve her own path. While some controversial creative liberties are taken by the filmmakers (not everything is true to the facts), it does draw its inspiration from the real life of Bernadette, who was a prominent figure in French public life. As it does so, it explores some of the challenges faced by women in politics and how difficult and complex it is to balance personal life with one's public image.

Catherine Deneuve is captivating as Bernadette, and she embraces the character and beautifully manages the witty and satirical script. She reminded me of our iconic actresses like Judi Dench or Maggie Smith.

The exploration of gender roles and expectations is delightfully satirised. The photography is stylish and visually appealing, and the thought-provoking commentary on politics and media is incisive and, sometimes, laugh-out-loud funny. And the whimsical musical numbers add a lovely charm. It was a gentle joy to watch.

Some of the plot points felt a bit predictable. And the pacing was a bit uneven in some parts of the movie. And I think the film could have gone quite a bit deeper into the political implications of its themes. There are so many of these themes that are worth discussing: the complex nature of marriage and partnership; the pursuit of personal fulfilment and independence; the blurred lines between public and private life; and the corrosive effects of power and ambition. This is a movie that would be worth catching up with friends for a coffee afterwards for a chat.

The President's Wife is a highly entertaining and thought-provoking movie. I enjoyed it. If you are interested in politics, social commentary, and character-driven dramas, this one will be for you. The movie's sharp wit, combined with Deneuve's stellar performance, elevates this one above the average political satire.

Brilliant casting Catherine Deneuve, Michel Vuillermoz, Denis Podalydès saves the movie, which is otherwise a conformist comedy trying to portraiture Bernadette Chirac as a feminist and one of the most cunning maneuvering French politician who led the conservatives for 3 decades as a dumbass. A typical product of leftist french cinema, for people who like to hear what they want to hear.

Contrary to what the movie says, Jacques Chirac was not neglecting his anorexic daughter Laurence and his second one Claude was not a pretentious potiche. And Bernadette did support Sarkozy much more than needed.