It's a partial biopic of Barbe-Nicole Ponsardin Clicquot (Haley Bennett), the early 19th-century developer of champagne set in France. It follows the arranged marriage of Barbe-Nicole and François Clicquot (Tom Sturridge) that ends with his death after six years and then portrays her efforts to preserve the vineyards, develop new wine mixtures, and export her product against the Napoleonic regulations in effect at the time. She needs to contend with the doubts of her father-in-law, Philippe (Ben Miles). She receives assistance from her distributor, Louis Bohne (Sam Riley), and accountant, Edouard Werle (Anson Boon).
The film focuses on Barbe-Nicole's widowhood and unusual for-the-time female management of an important vineyard but frequently flashes back to her marriage to François. The script interprets him as a gifted vintner who slowly descends into madness and chooses the more dramatic historical possibilities for his death. The marriage part of the story feels intriguing but incomplete. The business story seems to underplay the financial resources Barbe-Nicole has available.
"Widow Clicquot" is a decent watch but a bit choppy. It explores an obscure piece of French history but is not terribly memorable.
