France Boutique (2003)
Directed by Tonie Marshall

Film Review

Tonie Marshall's sixth film bears some superficial similarities with her previous success, Vénus beauté (institut), in that both portray tangled love lives within an artificially glamorous setting.  However, in contrast to some of Marshall's earlier films, France Boutique is so dominated by its sense of parody that it itself feels kitsch and shallow, with few, if any, of its characters having the space to give much more than a two dimensional impression.   As a result, the film is funny and largely entertaining but has neither the maturity nor emotional power that has characterised Marshall's work to date.   The Viard-Cluzet double act works well, both actors being convincing as shopping channel presenters, not just the naïve caricature you might have expected.  Unfortunately, their contribution is inhibited by a script which fails to make their characters believable.

Film Synopsis

France and Olivier Mestral have been together for ten years but now the strain on their marriage is beginning to show.  One reason for this could be the fall off in the popularity of the shopping channel they have created, France Boutique.  In spite of the dedication and enthusiasm of their collaborators - especially their presenters Yvan and Estelle - the couple's brainchild looks as if it is in a state of terminal decline.  Audience figures are dropping off, and so are sales.  The couple are offered a welcome lifeline by Sofia, the owner of a shopping website on the internet.  So desperate are Olivier and his wife to save their own company that they are easily lured into signing a contract with Sofia, not knowing that she has her own hidden agenda.  She intends driving France Boutique to ruin so that she can take over its air time...