Set in 1977 in a provincial French town, "Potiche" is a free adaptation of the 1970s eponymous hit comic play. Suzanne Pujol is a submissive, housebound 'trophy housewife' who steps in to manage the umbrella factory run by her wealthy and tyrannical husband after the workers go on strike and take him hostage. To everyone's surprise, Suzanne proves herself a competent and assertive woman of action. But, when her husband returns from a restful cruise in top form, things get complicated.