How to Be a Good Wife

Set in Alsace during the late 1960s, this comedy follows Paulette Van Der Beck, who runs a school dedicated to training teenage girls to be subservient housewives. Following the death of her husband, Paulette discovers the institution is facing financial ruin. As she struggles to save the school and prepare her students for a television competition, the social unrest of May 1968 encourages both the teacher and her pupils to challenge traditional gender roles. With the support of her stepsister, a nun, and a former love, Paulette works to help the girls achieve independence and liberation.

The film was directed by Martin Provost, marking the second project in a sequence of films that includes The Midwife, Bonnard, Pierre and Marthe, and Love Lessons. The screenplay was co-written by Provost and Séverine Werba. The movie stars Juliette Binoche as Paulette, supported by a cast including Yolande Moreau, Noémie Lvovsky, Édouard Baer, François Berléand, and Marie Zabukovec.

The production earned 6 million USD at the worldwide box office. Audience reception was mixed, with a rating of 5.8/10 on IMDb based on 2,500 votes and 5.7/10 on TMDB from 261 votes. Film critics provided a slightly higher average rating of 6.1/10 based on 12 reviews.