THETO THE RICHEST WOMAN IN THE WORLD
Type: dynastic comedy
Direction: Thierry Klifa. With Isabelle Huppert, Laurent Lafitte, Marina Foïs, Raphaël Personnaz, André Marcon, Mathieu Demy, Paul Beaurepaire
The subject of this film seems to have been written by Balzac and yet it is all true, except the names. Because Marianne Farrère, to whom Isabelle Huppert gives the coldness and determination of the great captains of industry, refers directly to Liliane Bettencourt, heiress to the L’Oréal empire and, as the title says, “the richest woman in the world” or so.
A woman who one day is bewitched by a homosexual photographer who flaunts his vulgarity without any scruples. In the icy world of a family where money has taken the place of affection, that intruder surprises her, amuses her, makes her forget the gray world of finance.
Isabelle Huppert in the film “The Richest Woman in the World”. (photo by Manuel Moutier)
And she decides to become not his lover, but his patronby the millions. Until his daughter Frédérique (Marina Foïs, perhaps in her best role) decides that that river of money needs to be put a stop to and reports the photographer for circumvention of an incompetent person.
Meanwhile, we discover the relationships the family had with politicsthe youthful anti-Semitism of Marianne/Liliane’s husband but above all the loneliness and coldness that dominates everywhere. Maybe it’s not true that rich people cry too, but that they don’t know how to enjoy life.
For those who want to appreciate Huppert at her best.
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