Paulette (2012)

Paulette is the kind of crime-comedy that feels like it’s powered less by plot mechanics than by sheer personality, and Bernadette Lafont supplies it in irresistible abundance. Set against the gray edges of the Paris suburbs, the film finds bright, mischievous humor in a woman’s stubborn will to survive, letting its laughs come from character and attitude rather than cheap gags. It’s lively, charming, and surprisingly warm-hearted, the sort of delightful caper that keeps you smiling even when it’s poking at harsher realities. If you prefer your comedies broad and breezy you may find its bite a touch sharper, but if you like a funny, human character study with a little criminal sparkle, this one’s an easy recommendation.

Paulette wants to be a cheeky, socially aware crime comedy about an elderly woman pushed into desperate (and illegal) hustle when her pension won’t stretch, and it does have a mischievous premise with a lead performance that can be fun to watch. The problem is the humor often goes for big, broad strokes, so the satire feels simplistic and the plot beats can come off predictable rather than cleverly escalating. When it leans into the ridiculous, it risks undercutting the very real issues it’s flirting with, and the ending may feel muddled or emotionally unearned depending on your tolerance for tonal whiplash. If you’re looking for sharp writing or genuine depth under the laughs, you may leave disappointed; if you just want a light, slightly naughty caper with an older protagonist, it might do the job.