Women’s rights have always been suppressed. It’s as old a story as the world itself. Women have always had to prove themselves—whether it’s their strength, intelligence, or capability—while men often gain a place with ease, facing far fewer challenges. When it comes to running a business or making major decisions, what are we even talking about? No matter how advanced the world has become, it still remains biased against women. If things are bad now, imagine how much worse they were back then.

Set in the early 19th century, Widow Clicquot tells the story of Barbe-Nicole (Haley Bennett), who marries François Clicquot (Tom Sturridge), a young man with big dreams of turning his family’s wine business into a global powerhouse. Tragically, François dies suddenly, leaving Barbe-Nicole a widow at the age of 27. Instead of submitting to societal norms, where a widow is expected to endlessly mourn and consider remarriage, she decides to take over the family business, which was already struggling, and turn it into what François had dreamt of—a legacy that would last for generations to come.

Barbe-Nicole faces numerous obstacles, to say the least. Simply because she is a woman, she is not allowed to run the business or refuse to marry if her intention is to continue running it. She exists in a strange world where she must constantly prove that she doesn’t need to remarry to let someone else run or own what was her husband’s and now rightfully hers. Barbe-Nicole is a brilliant woman who intimidates men. Her attractiveness also causes additional trouble. But her idea to revolutionize the champagne industry is so excellent that it will eventually make her one of the most powerful businesswomen of her time, known to history as the “Grande Dame of Champagne.”

Apart from the story and the compelling screenplay by Erin Dignam, the film shines with beautiful costumes, cinematography, and music. It captures the elegance of the era while reflecting Barbe-Nicole’s strength and perseverance, and how cleverly she transitions from widow to business mogul. The pacing of the film is slow but intentional, allowing the audience to fully grasp Barbe-Nicole’s genuine intentions to keep her late husband’s dream alive.

That being said, Thomas Napper, as a director, creates a visually captivating film that pays tribute to a remarkable woman whose legacy continues to influence the world of champagne. With strong performances, especially from Haley Bennett, and a story that resonates with timeless themes of perseverance and innovation, the film is a must-watch for those who appreciate historical dramas and stories of female empowerment.

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