The President's Wife (Bernadette) is a comedy inspired by real events, starring the iconic Catherine Deneuve (Belle de Jour), which tells the political rise of Bernadette Chirac. It follows her journey from being a submissive first lady, wife of Jacques Chirac (played by Michel Vuillermoz), president of from 1995 to 2007. Tired of being sidelined in political matters and humiliated by her husband’s affairs, Bernadette decides to reinvent herself, taking control of her life and her own power. The film simplifies some events, which flow like a history class summary. It may also feel somewhat lukewarm in its portrayal of a feminism that breaks away from the conservative values of 's political right. Nonetheless, the result is fun, thanks to Deneuve’s great comedic touch.
Comedies featuring police duos are usually quite entertaining and 'Loin du périph' fits well into this niche. Omar Sy ('Lupin') and Laurent Lafitte ('The Origin of the World') are former work partners who haven't spoken to each other in a long time, and are forced to reunite for an investigation and must revive the partnership they had in the past. Even though this type of story is hackneyed, this French production manages to give it a refresh and deliver a good dose of suspense, humor and emotion. After all, any movie that talks about friendship can touch us a little, right?