A tale of two Catherines.
Director Martin Provost (Violette, Seraphine) unites two of France’s favourite actors in his tender comedy drama about female friendship and rediscovery. Catherine Deneuve and Catherine Frot play very different women whose shaky reconnection after a number of decades allows them to learn valuable life lessons from one another. Claire (Frot) is the conscientious Midwife of the title, a single mother whose reservations and self-restraint have left her living an isolated life. Until the day her deceased father’s ex-girlfriend makes contact. Beatrice (Deneuve) is a free-spirited, professional gambler who wishes to reconnect with Claire’s father. Shocked at the news that he has passed away, she implants herself into Claire’s life instead, bringing chaos, joy and memories of happier times.
‘A bittersweet delight…rich, thoughtful, frequently funny.’ – Screen International
‘Offering plum roles to Catherine Frot and Catherine Deneuve…a crowd-pleaser about friendship, forgiveness and rolling with the punches.’ – Indie Wire
‘Provost has once again proven to be a sensitive and sure-handed director of what used to be called “women’s films,” with this one somewhat of a cross between Douglas Sirk and the Dardennes.’ – The Hollywood Reporter
‘Deneuve and Frot excel as contrasting women with an account to settle in a tale that combines realism and melodrama.’ – ★★★★ The Guardian
SAGE FEMME | France, 2017 | Language: French | 117 minutes | Cert: 15A
Director: Martin Provost
Cast: Catherine Deneuve, Catherine Frot, Olivier Gourmet
