Most critics find Trophy Wife a warm, entertaining comedy, with Catherine Deneuve’s performance the clearest point of agreement. The praise centres on her assurance, wit and convincing transformation from sidelined wife to capable factory boss. Her comic chemistry with Depardieu is another recurring pleasure, while the deliberately tacky period design earns favourable notice. The more enthusiastic reviews also find credible relationships and a sharp satire beneath the broad humour.
The main disagreement concerns how much substance supports the fun. Total Film enjoys the comedy but finds its feminism lightweight; Slant Magazine goes further, arguing that the farce asks too little of Deneuve and its audience. The spread runs from enthusiastic approval to mixed responses rather than outright rejection. Even among the reservations, Deneuve remains a source of pleasure, though critics differ on whether the material gives her enough to do.