The President’s Wife (2025): Cast & Ratings
The President’s Wife is a 2025 biographical drama directed by Léa Domenach, starring Catherine Deneuve as Bernadette Chirac, Bertrand Goncalves and Maud Wyler. It runs 1 hour 32 minutes. Critics gave it 88% on Rotten Tomatoes and 59 on Metacritic.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 32m (92 min)
- Director
- Léa Domenach
- Original language
-
French - Studio
- Karé Productions
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The President’s Wife About?
The premise of The President’s Wife without spoilers.
Having always worked in the shadow of her husband, Bernadette Chirac finds herself frustrated when she arrives at the presidential Elysée Palace in 1995. Newly elected Jacques Chirac seems to have cast her aside, and after years of supporting his political ambitions, Madame Chirac anticipates finally taking a more prominent role.
The President’s Wife Cast & Characters
Catherine Deneuve leads the cast as Bernadette Chirac, with Bertrand Goncalves as Assistant Bernadette and Maud Wyler as Laurence Chirac. Directed by Léa Domenach; 20 actors are credited in all.
- Director Léa Domenach
-
Catherine Deneuve as Bernadette Chirac - Bertrand Goncalves as Assistant Bernadette
- Maud Wyler as Laurence Chirac
- Sara Giraudeau as Claude Chirac
Also Starring in The President’s Wife
· 16 more- Michel Vuillermoz Jacques Chirac
- Denis Podalydès Bernard Niquet
- Lionel Abelanski Yvon, le chauffeur
- Laurent Stocker Nicolas Sarkozy
- Barbara Schulz Aurore
- Scali Delpeyrat Jacky-Pierre, le majordome
- François Vincentelli Dominique de Villepin
- Jacky Nercessian Père Mouret
- Artus David Douillet
- Patrick Paroux Maître Grundmann
- Olivier Balazuc Alain
- Vincent Primault Xavier Bertrand
- Olivier Breitman Karl Largerfeld
- Louis-Marie Audubert Le voisin bavard
- Christian Scelles Président du Conseil général
- Thierry Souffir Conseiller général Corrèze
The President’s Wife Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave The President’s Wife 88% on Rotten Tomatoes and 59 on Metacritic. Our Echo Score gives it 75/100, strongest in character & emotion (85) and weakest in story & flow (60).
The President’s Wife Echo Score Breakdown
Overall, The President’s Wife capitalizes on Catherine Deneuve’s commanding performance and a polished visual style, even as its narrative weight remains modest. Reviews note Deneuve’s charisma and nuanced portrayal, balanced by a glossy, engaging production design and measured pacing. While the film’s feminist through line and plot depth sometimes feel perfunctory, its light tone and spirited execution deliver consistent entertainment. Ultimately, the film succeeds as a poised, star-driven comedy.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 75
In terms of art and craft, the film delivers a polished production design and a cohesive visual style that underscores its comedic tone. The cinematography employs an understated color palette that complements the satirical elements, while the direction maintains steady pacing. Though the editing rarely surprises, it supports the film’s lighthearted flow. Overall, the visual execution remains consistently appealing.
- Character & Emotion 85
When it comes to characterization, Catherine Deneuve’s nuanced performance anchors nearly every scene with magnetic presence and understated emotional depth. Supporting roles provide pleasant but limited chemistry, with few characters achieving similar resonance. The emotional beats often hinge on Deneuve’s charisma, leaving secondary arcs less developed. Overall, character engagement centers primarily on its lead.
- Story & Flow 60
In terms of story and flow, the narrative unfolds with measured pacing and occasional moments of wit but lacks substantial political or emotional stakes. The plot leans on a simplified feminist arc that some find engaging while others view as perfunctory. Originality emerges through playful thematic touches, yet overall coherence feels uneven, resulting in modest engagement.
- Sensory Experience 70
When it comes to sensory experience, the film features a bright, synchronized soundtrack and crisp sound design that complement its polished visuals. The musical cues support comedic moments without overwhelming the dialogue, while the visual style maintains a sleek, cohesive aesthetic. Although there are no standout audio risks, the overall sensory presentation is well-crafted and satisfying.
- Rewatch Factor 65
In terms of rewatch value, The President’s Wife offers a consistently engaging central performance and polished presentation that can reward repeat viewings. The film’s lighthearted tone and refined visuals retain their appeal, even if the narrative depth feels limited upon revisiting. While some thematic elements lose impact over time, the overall experience remains pleasantly watchable.
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Rotten Tomatoes 88% Tomatometer
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 59 Metascore
See on Metacritic
Seen The President’s Wife?
The President’s Wife FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of The President’s Wife, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The President’s Wife?
The President’s Wife runs 1 hour 32 minutes (92 minutes).
When was The President’s Wife released?
The President’s Wife was released on April 18, 2025.
Who directed The President’s Wife?
The President’s Wife was directed by Léa Domenach.
More films by Léa Domenach Who is in the cast of The President’s Wife?
The President’s Wife stars Catherine Deneuve as Bernadette Chirac, Bertrand Goncalves as Assistant Bernadette and Maud Wyler as Laurence Chirac, among 20 credited actors.
How is The President’s Wife rated?
The President’s Wife has 88% on Rotten Tomatoes and 59 on Metacritic.
Does The President’s Wife have a post-credit scene?
No. The President’s Wife has no extra scene during or after the credits.
What language is The President’s Wife in?
The original language of The President’s Wife is French.
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