How to Be a Good Wife

The film balances a sharp, often satirical, examination of outdated social norms with moments of genuine emotional resonance. While it critiques the era's patriarchal structures, it also finds humour in the characters' predicaments and their gradual awakening. The tone shifts as the characters confront their realities, moving from a seemingly stable, if restrictive, past towards an uncertain, liberated future.

The housekeeping school is depicted as a place dedicated to instilling traditional values and preparing young women for a life of domestic servitude. It represents an outdated model of womanhood, where the curriculum focuses on pleasing husbands and maintaining a perfect household. However, as the narrative progresses, the institution's rigid doctrines are challenged by external events and internal realisations.

The film delves into themes of female subservience and the traditional expectations placed upon women in the 1960s. It examines the rigid structure of domesticity taught at the housekeeping school and contrasts it with the burgeoning feminist movements and societal shifts of May 1968. Personal liberation, questioning authority, and the search for identity are also central to its narrative.

While specific streaming availability can change, 'How to Be a Good Wife' has had theatrical releases and may be accessible through various digital platforms or rental services in Australia. Checking major Australian streaming providers or film distribution websites would be the best way to confirm current viewing options.

The film boasts a notable cast, featuring the acclaimed Juliette Binoche in the lead role as Paulette Van Der Beck. She is joined by Yolande Moreau and Noémie Lvovsky, who play key supporting characters. Édouard Baer and François Berléand also contribute to the ensemble, rounding out the principal performers in this period drama.

The nationwide protests of May 1968 serve as a pivotal backdrop, influencing both Paulette and her students. As society grapples with new ideologies and challenges traditional roles, the characters begin to question the very beliefs their housekeeping school is built upon. This period of upheaval prompts introspection and a re-evaluation of their place in a rapidly transforming world.

Set in the late 1960s, 'How to Be a Good Wife' centres on Paulette Van Der Beck, who runs a housekeeping school in Alsace with her husband. The institution trains teenage girls to become ideal housewives, adhering to societal expectations of female subservience. When her husband dies unexpectedly, Paulette must confront the school's financial woes and the changing social landscape as national protests erupt.