How to Be a Good Wife
Performance & Direction: How to Be a Good Wife Review
Last updated: February 6, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is How to Be a Good Wife (2020) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 5.7/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Comedy.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Comedy is often anchored by its ensemble, and How to Be a Good Wife features a noteworthy lineup led by Juliette Binoche . Supported by the likes of Yolande Moreau and Noémie Lvovsky , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
Story & Plot Summary: How to Be a Good Wife
Quick Plot Summary: How to Be a Good Wife is a Comedy film that brings laughter through sharp writing and comedic timing, providing amusement while touching on deeper societal themes. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Story Breakdown
The comedic structure relies on both situational humor and character-based comedy. Paulette Van Der Beck and her husband have been running the housekeeping school of Bitche in Alsace for many years. Their mission is to train teenage girls to become the perfect housewives at a time when women were expected to be subservient to their husband. After the sudden death of her husband, Paulette discovers that the school is on the verge of bankruptcy and has to take her responsibilities. But while preparations are underway for the best housekeeping competition TV show, she and her lively students start questioning their beliefs as the nation-wide protests of May 1968 transform society around them. Reunited with her first love, André, and with the help of her eccentric stepsister Gilberte and strict nun Marie-Therese, Paulette joins forces with the schoolgirls to overcome their suppressed status and become liberated women. The film finds humor in relatable situations while maintaining narrative momentum. The jokes serve the story, with callbacks and running gags that reward attentive viewers.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: The opening establishes the comedic tone and introduces the central conflict through humor and character quirks.
- Character Arc: Character development is present but somewhat formulaic, following familiar patterns without adding fresh perspectives to the genre.
- Climax & Resolution: The comedic climax ties together recurring jokes and character arcs, delivering both laughs and emotional satisfaction.
Ending Explained: How to Be a Good Wife
Ending Breakdown: How to Be a Good Wife attempts to tie together its various plot elements. The finale presents its approach to comedy resolution.
The conclusion addresses the core thematic questions, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the comedy themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of How to Be a Good Wife reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch How to Be a Good Wife?
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for Comedy films
- You're curious despite mixed reviews
- You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
Top Cast: How to Be a Good Wife
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Where to Watch How to Be a Good Wife Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
Amazon Prime Video
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Apple TV Store🏷️ Buy on
Amazon VideoApple TV StoreHow to Be a Good Wife Parents Guide & Age Rating
2020 AdvisoryWondering about How to Be a Good Wife age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of How to Be a Good Wife is 108 minutes (1h 48m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 5.7/10, and global performance metrics, How to Be a Good Wife is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 2020 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is How to Be a Good Wife worth watching?
How to Be a Good Wife is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Comedy movies. It has a verified rating of 5.7/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find How to Be a Good Wife parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for How to Be a Good Wife identifies it as Not Rated. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of How to Be a Good Wife?
The total duration of How to Be a Good Wife is 108 minutes, which is approximately 1h 48m long.
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movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
