How to Be a Good Wife (2020): Cast, Ratings & Box Office
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.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 48m (108 min)
- Director
- Martin Provost
- Genre
- Comedy
- Original language
-
French
- Studio
- Les Films du Kiosque
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
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.
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.
-
Director Martin Provost
-
Juliette Binoche as Paulette Van Der Beck - Yolande Moreau as Gilberte Van der Beck
- Blandine Laignel as Residential school student
-
François Berléand as Robert Van der Beck
Also Starring in How to Be a Good Wife
· 31 more- Noémie Lvovsky Marie-Therese
- Anamaria Vartolomei Albane Des-deux-Ponts
- Édouard Baer André Grunvald
- Armelle Christiane Rougemont
- Stéphane Bissot Raymonde
- Dominique Pozzetto The priest
- Marie Zabukovec Annie Fuchs
- Marie Cornillon Marie-Jo Lorentz
- Elise Girard Residential school student
- Stéphane Hausauer Mr. Frantz, the waiter at Mado
- Julien Sibre The “bonjour madame” assistant
- Cécile Dominjon Birgit, the waitress at Mado
- François Hauteserre The motorist in the traffic jam
- Lily Taïeb Yvette Ziegler
- Juliet Doucet Residential school student
- Lucas Bleger The bistro customer
Show all 35 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Suzanne-Marie Gabriel Residential school student
- Alex Dey Gaëtan
- Pauline Briand Corinne Schwartz
- Cécile Ribault-Caillol Ménie Grégoire (voice)
- Marine Berlanger Residential school student
- Clémence Blondeau Residential school student
- Lauren Deguitre Residential school student
- Clémentine Delange Residential school student
- Marie-Anne Guilbert Residential school student
- Sasha Herschritt Residential school student
- Margaux Houssiaux Residential school student
- Andréa Mands Residential school student
- Salomé Soares Residential school student
- Philippe Morand Mr. Schmitt
- Perrine Avisse The makeup artist
More from Martin Provost
More films directed by Martin Provost, best-rated first: Séraphine, The Midwife, Violette and Bonnard, Pierre and Marthe.
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).
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.
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
How to Be a Good Wife Box Office
How to Be a Good Wife grossed $6 million worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$6M
- International
- $6M
How to Be a Good Wife Trailers & Videos
The trailer of How to Be a Good Wife.
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
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
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- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
During which historic event does the film’s climax take place?
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 Show fewer
- 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?
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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