His Wife (2014 film)

His Wife is a 2014 French psychological drama film directed by Michel Spinosa and starring Yvan Attal, newcomer Janagi and Charlotte Gainsbourg.

Plot

After Joseph's wife Catherine dies, he goes to a village near Pondicherry where he meets Gracie, who may be possessed by Catherine's spirit.

Production

Newcomer Janagi, from a village in Nagercoil, India, made her film debut.

Release

The film premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival on 7 February 2014, after which it was released in France on 12 March 2014. His Wife was given a limited theatrical release in the United States on 27 February 2014.

Reception

Jordan Mintzer of The Hollywood Reporter wrote that the film is "an audacious and often impressive continent-hopping drama" and added that the film is "marked by an impressive sense of visual storytelling". Ronnie Scheib of Variety opined that "Skillful time shuffling and a compelling performance by Charlotte Gainsbourg anchor this flawed but fascinating cross-cultural drama". Jacques Mandelbaum of Le Monde stated that the film does not rise to the expected level.