KSL Movie Show review: ‘Widow Clicquot’ explores one of the earliest successful international businesswomen

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SALT LAKE CITY —The growing collection of stories involving empowered women in cinema is a welcomed change. I have no hesitation in appreciating these many great accomplishments because mainly, it’s about d#!% time. 

This historical tale of Barbe-Nicole Ponsardin Clicquot is no exception, although they did take some poetic license by casting the striking Haley Bennett to play her. See her real-life portrait.

Madame Ponsardin married François Clicquot (Tom Sturridge) in an effort to unite the two largest textile families, as was often the custom back in 18th Century France.

Fortunately, in this story, they are made to look and act like Romeo and Juliet — a handsome couple with a deep passion for each other. Hey, why not?

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François’ side hustle was an extensive vineyard, willed to him by his sainted grandmother. He and Madame Clicquot began producing an elegant wine that was beloved by Russian royalty, but Napoleon’s blockade prevented them from shipping directly, thus nearly destroying their business.

Madame Clicquot had a special gift of creating new tastes in wine and is credited with developing champagne before the other vineyards in the region.

When her husband François dies, perhaps by suicide after contracting typhoid fever, she plans to expand the business. But she faces the Napoleonic Code which insists women are not allowed to run companies, vote or do other “man” stuff.  

However, there was a loophole that if a widow is willed the company, she may proceed with male supervision, which in this case, is her father-in-law Philippe (Ben Miles).  He was partners with François but knew it was really Madame Clicquot, now Widow Clicquot, who had the talent to make their winery successful. 

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Well, when the Napoleonic wars ended and the Royal Russians finally got a taste of Widow Clicquot’s excellent new champagne, orders for the bubbly went through the roof. 

This is when her favorite wine seller and part-time lover took the business to a whole new level, making the Widow Clicquot or Veuve Clicquot, one of the world’s first successful female international businesswomen and the so-called “Grande Damme of Champagne,” a revered company that still exists today. 

So, that’s the backstory. 

The filmmakers made it a bit more gritty and glamorous — you know — entertaining?  But without their efforts, we would know little to nothing about one of the great women of her or any generation. And if some of it is mostly true — then so be it. 

WIDOW CLICQUOT (B+) Rated R for some sexuality and nudity. Starring Haley Bennett, Tom Sturridge, Sam Riley and Ben Miles. Directed by Thomas Napper (“Jawbone” “Lost Angels: Skid Row is My Home”) – based on a book by the same name, written by Tilar J. Mazzeo. Filmed in Chablis and Reims, France. Running time: 89 minutes. 

The KSL Movie Show with Andy Farnsworth and Steve Salles airs Fridays on KSL NewsRadio from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Follow the show on Facebook, and join The KSL Movie Show Club for exclusive perks by texting MOVIE to 57500. Message and data rates may apply. Text STOP to cancel. Message frequency varies.