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No, this has nothing to do with anyone named Trump, Obama, Bush or Clinton. This film is about the wife of a French President.

The President’s Wife (released as Bernadette in France) was released in 2023, but only seems to be playing in America now. Any films with the splendid Catherine Deneuve is worth investigating. The deeper I dug, the more I wanted to see this film.

Synopsis from RottenTomatoes:

Long the woman-behind-the-man, Bernadette Chirac (Catherine Deneuve) arrives at the presidential Elysée Palace in 1995 frustrated and all but cast off by her newly elected husband, Jacques (Michel Vuillermoz). Having always worked in his shadow to help his ascent to the presidency, Madame Chirac now fully expects to finally get the place in the political elite she believes she deserves. In Léa Domenach‘s whip-smart feature film debut based on true events, Madame Chirac’s rise from invisible political spouse to major media figure–as calculated as it was inevitable–is chronicled with equal parts reverence and wit, driven by Deneuve’s wryly memorable central performance.

The film is loosely based on Madame Chirac during her husband’s presidency. Everyone in the film’s cast does a great job, especially Deneuve, Vuillermoz and Denis Podalydès (Madame Chirac’s media assistant).

Madame Chirac quickly learns that the traditional role of the First Lady is one of serving the President, and she immediately chafes at what see sees as a demotion in her role as her husband’s partner. Their daughter is Chirac’s advisor now, not her mother. Right away, the daughter picks a PR assistant for Madame Chirac to help filter her comments and advise her on presenting herself as First Lady. Madame Chirac takes some responsibility for suggesting that their daughter helps get Chirac elected president. The relationships in this film are complicated; even when Chirac has refused his wife’s political advice, and cheats on her, their relationship remains strongly intertwined. However, Madame Chirac launches her own media campaign to transform her public image. The effort is a bit too effective as her popularity surpasses her husband’s, but he needs her, and she falls back in line, to get Chirac reelected. That’s not the end of her independence, and her working to salvage Chirac’s political reputation later on.

Jacques Chirac had been mayor of Paris for 18 years, then Prime Minister, before becoming President of France, serving 1995 to 2007. Madame Chirac was a very active participant in her husband’s political career, in addition to serving as a locally elected official, and leader of several important associations, charities and foundations. Her story is certainly more than what is told in this film, but the viewer sees how driven, accomplished and loyal she is. She turned 92 in May of this year.

Deneuve is a remarkable actor, she was 79 when this film was made, and sinks her teeth into this complex role. Just a few years ago she suffered a stroke, yet she’s vibrant, funny and full of subtleties in this role. This woman is beyond beautiful, and still is. Fifty years ago, sitting a college film history class I first saw Deneuve in Belle de Jour (1967). That film knocked me sideways. (Roger Ebert’s review of Belle de Jour) That early film gained her international acclaim and is considered a film classic.

Director Domenach uses a light touch, letting the fine actors act. She injects a good supply of wit into the characters, letting them play off the situations allowing the humor to rise organically in the film. This was Domenach’s directing debut – hard to believe.

Yes, if one doesn’t speak French, then reading subtitles is required. It’s worth it, see the film.