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Comedy

How to Be a Good Wife (2020): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

How to Be a Good Wife (2020) movie poster

How to Be a Good Wife is a 2020 comedy directed by Martin Provost, starring Juliette Binoche as Paulette Van Der Beck, Yolande Moreau and Blandine Laignel. It runs 1 hour 48 minutes and earned $6 million worldwide. Its Echo Score is 64/100.

worldwide gross
$6M
Echo Score
64
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How to Be a Good Wife (2020) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 48m (108 min)
Director
Martin Provost
Genre
Comedy
Original language
French
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is How to Be a Good Wife About?

The premise of How to Be a Good Wife without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Following the death of her husband, Paulette Van Der Beck finds their housekeeping school in Bitche, Alsace, facing bankruptcy. Determined to save it, she takes over, preparing the teenage students for a televised housekeeping competition. However, the societal upheaval of May 1968 sparks a questioning of traditional roles, and with the help of her eccentric stepsister Gilberte, a strict nun, and a rekindled romance, Paulette encourages the girls to challenge their subservient status and embrace liberation.

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Cast & crew

How to Be a Good Wife Cast & Characters

Juliette Binoche leads the cast as Paulette Van Der Beck, with Yolande Moreau as Gilberte Van der Beck and Blandine Laignel as Residential school student. Directed by Martin Provost; 35 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in How to Be a Good Wife

· 31 more
Show all 35 cast members
From the director

More from Martin Provost

More films directed by Martin Provost, best-rated first: Séraphine, The Midwife, Violette and Bonnard, Pierre and Marthe.

Full filmography
Ratings

How to Be a Good Wife Reviews & Ratings

Our Echo Score gives it 64/100, strongest in art & craft (68) and weakest in rewatch factor (60).

64 /100

How to Be a Good Wife Echo Score Breakdown

How to Be a Good Wife lands between playful satire and uneven storytelling, offering vivid period visuals and a spirited lead performance while stumbling over tonal shifts and a heavy-handed conclusion. Critics and viewers alike appreciate the colorful production design and occasional memorable moments, but many note overacting, an uneven mix of comedy and drama, and a rushed finale. The net impression is a mixed but moderately enjoyable period comedy.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 68

    In terms of art and craft, the film showcases a bright, retro‑styled visual palette and meticulous period décor that many reviewers find charming. Critics praise the colour‑rich cinematography and nostalgic production design, though some cite an uneven mix of imagery and occasional over‑stylisation. The overall artistic execution is solid, with visual strengths outweighing the noted inconsistencies.

  • Character & Emotion 65

    When evaluating character and emotion, Juliette Binoche delivers a nuanced performance that several reviewers highlight as a strong point. However, criticism points to moments of overacting and a lack of depth for supporting characters, making the ensemble feel uneven. The acting is generally competent, with the lead’s portrayal providing the primary emotional anchor despite mixed support.

  • Story & Flow 60

    The story and flow blend satire with social commentary, but many find the narrative’s pacing uneven and the ending rushed. Positive notes mention a breezy, farcical structure that seeds rebellion, yet the climax is described as forced and laborious. Overall, the plot engages intermittently but suffers from tonal swings that hinder sustained coherence.

  • Sensory Experience 65

    Sensory experience benefits from a vibrant visual style and occasional musical moments that add charm. Reviewers enjoy the whimsical score and bright colour schemes, though the musical denouement is sometimes called grating. Sound design receives limited criticism, and the visual cohesion generally enhances the viewing experience, balancing the occasional auditory excess.

  • Rewatch Factor 60

    Rewatch factor is moderate; the film offers nostalgic humour and occasional memorable scenes that reward repeat viewings for some audiences. While many find it a light, entertaining ride, the uneven tone and unsatisfying finale deter others from returning. Consequently, the film holds modest replay value, appealing chiefly to those who appreciate its period charm.

Plot

How to Be a Good Wife Plot Summary

What happens in How to Be a Good Wife from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Paulette, Juliette Binoche runs Van der Beck’s School of Housekeeping and Good Manners in Alsace, a traditional institution designed to teach young women the skills of running a household, proper etiquette, and the idea of becoming a devoted wife. Set against the explosive mood of the late 1967 school year and the rising currents of 1968 student unrest in Paris, the story follows how this genteel world collides with a changing society, prompting its staff to confront both personal and collective upheaval.

Full summary

The whole story of How to Be a Good Wife, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

How to Be a Good Wife Box Office

How to Be a Good Wife grossed $6 million worldwide.

2020 box office

Worldwide gross

$6M

International
$6M
Videos

How to Be a Good Wife Trailers & Videos

The trailer of How to Be a Good Wife.

HOW TO BE A GOOD WIFE - Official Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know How to Be a Good Wife?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

During which historic event does the film’s climax take place?

Details

How to Be a Good Wife Also Known As

23 alternative titles, including “La Bonne Epouse” and “Hvordan bli en god kone”.

Also known as
  • La Bonne Epouse
  • Hvordan bli en god kone
  • Den gode hustru
  • Hogyan legyél jó feleség
  • 슬기로운 아내 수업
  • 如何成为一位好妻子
  • Jak býti dobrou ženou
  • Ako byť dobrou ženou
  • Hyvä vaimo
  • La bonne épouse
  • A Boa Esposa
  • Jak być dobrą żoną
+11 more
  • La brava moglie
  • Manual de la buena esposa
  • איך להיות אישה טובה
  • 5月の花嫁学校
  • Школа хороших дружин
  • 完美嬌妻養成班
  • Die perfekte Ehefrau
  • Kā būt labai sievai
  • Как быть хорошей женой
  • Kako postati dobra žena
  • El manual de la bona esposa

Seen How to Be a Good Wife?

FAQ

How to Be a Good Wife FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, post-credit scenes and language of How to Be a Good Wife, each answered in a sentence.

How long is How to Be a Good Wife?

How to Be a Good Wife runs 1 hour 48 minutes (108 minutes).

When was How to Be a Good Wife released?

How to Be a Good Wife was released on March 11, 2020.

Who directed How to Be a Good Wife?

How to Be a Good Wife was directed by Martin Provost.

More films by Martin Provost

Who is in the cast of How to Be a Good Wife?

How to Be a Good Wife stars Juliette Binoche as Paulette Van Der Beck, Yolande Moreau as Gilberte Van der Beck and Blandine Laignel as Residential school student, among 35 credited actors.

How much did How to Be a Good Wife make at the box office?

How to Be a Good Wife grossed $6 million worldwide.

Does How to Be a Good Wife have a post-credit scene?

No. How to Be a Good Wife has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is How to Be a Good Wife in?

The original language of How to Be a Good Wife is French.

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