By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 3.5 cats
Director: Francois Ozon
Starring: Catherine Deneuve | Fabrice Luchini | Gerard Depardieu | Judith Godrèche | Karin Viard
Country: france
Year: 2011
Running time: 103
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1521848/
Thom says: “Earlier on in the beginning of his career Ozun showed he might well be on the way to become one of the great French directors but lately he seems to have lost his way. I was fascinated, while not totally sold, with his Fassbinder-like WATER DROPS ON BURNING ROCKS, & his UNDER THE SAND, 8 WOMEN, & especially SWIMMING POOL were all top-of-the-line. But then starting with 5X2 he’s gone consistently downhill (although RICKY & ANGEL weren’t shown on this Coast). I really loathed HIDEAWAY but with this latest entry he’s bounced back somewhat. The film, advertised as a comedy, which I take exception to, is about an aging trophy wife who takes over the family business after her odious husband has a heart attack and must take a holiday from business. She begins to transform the business (umbrellas) with innovative ideas and better treatment of the workers. The husband returns and worms his way back in and she decides to run for mayor to gain her new glory. There are family problems and an amorous old lover who works for the union as well as being the current mayor. Catherine Deneuve has been so magical for so many years this must have been a breeze for her. Politics, affairs, and paternity questions arise to complicate the story. I’m getting very tired of Depardieu even hinting at a spark of sexuality. Weighing in at over 300 pounds he’s getting like the French Woody Allen when he mistakenly cast himself in romantic leads after he’d lost his more cerebral sexuality. Still a fun romp on the more positive sides of feminism. 3 1/2 cats”
Hilary says: “This was the opening night film at this year’s Filmfest DC and very well received by the audience.
“I thought it was great fun and in spots reminded me of an American film set in roughly the same time period that addressed similar issues of gender and workplace equality: 9 TO 5.
“Def worth adding to your Netflix queue.”