‘Widow Clicquot’ Celebrates Woman Behind Iconic Champagne

Most Americans, along with wine enthusiasts worldwide, are familiar with Veuve Clicquot Champagnes. Their distinctive, marigold-labeled bottles are synonymous with celebration and luxury.

However, most non-French speakers might not grasp the full name of the brand, and thus miss the depth of its story. The word “veuve” translates to “widow” in French, hinting at the captivating history behind the champagne.

“Widow Clicquot” is a biopic about Barbe-Nicole Ponsardin (played by Haley Bennett), who took over her husband’s wine business when she was widowed in 1805 at the age of 27. Her journey made her France’s first female entrepreneur and one of its most celebrated.

Adapted by Erin Dignam and Christopher Monger, the film is based on Tilar J. Mazzeo’s book, “The Widow Clicquot: The Story of a Champagne Empire and the Woman Who Ruled It.”

The screenplay touches on significant moments while skimming over details, allowing director Thomas Napper to infuse lyrical dreaminess into the narrative. The film is a blend of historical accuracy and poetic expression, revealing Barbe-Nicole’s story in a nonlinear manner. It starts off as a deeply romantic tale but evolves into a more pragmatic narrative as she asserts herself as a businesswoman.

This marks Napper’s second feature as a director, although he has directed the second unit for many of Joe Wright’s films. This connection explains the film’s resemblance to Wright’s work. With cinematographer Caroline Champetier, Napper brings an ethereal and earthy beauty to “Widow Clicquot,” capturing the land and its seasons vividly.

Barbe-Nicole’s journey to building one of France’s greatest Champagne empires begins with the land itself. Shortly after her husband’s funeral, she is approached by Monsieur Moët (Nicholas Farrell) with an offer to buy the vineyards. Despite her father-in-law Phillipe’s (Ben Miles) objections, she decides to retain control of the property. Phillipe gives her a limited chance to prove her capability, and she immediately implements a “wheel” structure for labor, which is initially met with resistance.

She remains steadfast in fulfilling Francois’ dream of winemaking, forging a close alliance with Louis Bohne (Sam Riley), a wine merchant and close confidant of her late husband. To succeed, she must navigate Napoleonic embargoes and relies on Louis to transport her Champagne. Together, they develop a new technique for Champagne making that becomes popular in St. Petersburg, thanks to Louis’ salesmanship. Their close relationship, however, stirs suspicion about the young widow.

Throughout the film, Barbe-Nicole is haunted by memories of Francois. The flashbacks gradually reveal layers of their life together, initially portraying an almost idyllic existence filled with pastoral beauty and wine. However, as the memories unfold, the audience sees the complexities of Francois’ character, the challenges Barbe-Nicole faced, and the circumstances surrounding his death.

The 90-minute film packs a lot into its runtime, with the script favoring Barbe-Nicole’s emotional journey over her entrepreneurial achievements. While it’s somewhat disappointing that her innovative contributions to winemaking—practices still in use today—receive less attention, the film remains a heartfelt tribute to the woman behind one of the world’s most iconic Champagnes.

Source: The Moving Picture Blog, The New York Times