The Richest Woman in the World (M) – 123 minutes

Can money buy your happiness?

Perhaps not, because even if you are “into” the person that is into you, if they come from a poorer background, the voice at the back of your head must be working overtime.

And, because you are human, it is asking, “are they only into you because of your wealth?”

 Well, Marianne Farrère (Isabelle Huppert) has plenty of currency to splash around – I am talking about hundreds of millions or, even, billions.

So, she doesn’t even bother asking that question, even if others do.

Ferrer, who is conservative and of a certain age, runs a highly successful cosmetics empire, which she took over from her father, after he died.

She is married to Guy Farrère (André Marcon) and they have everything they could possibly want, but her life is about to take a most unexpected turn. 

At the suggestion of his daughter, Frédérique Spielman (Marina Foïs), she engages in a photoshoot with flamboyant photographer Pierre-Alain Fantin (Laurent Lafitte).

Unlike others, who kowtow to her wishes at will, Fantin suggests she change what she is wearing and zhuzh her hair to breathe more life into the shoot.

She complies and is very happy with the outcome, which is published in the magazine Selfish.

Next, Fantin implores her get rid of all her rich, old furnishings, even paintings, in one part of her home and replace them with items that “pop”. 

Again, she readily accedes to his overtures and the two start seeing each other regularly.

He gives her a new lease on life, which she embraces wholeheartedly.

Much of her family, including Guy, Frédérique and Frédérique’s husband Jean-Marc (Mathieu Demy) are mortified by Fantin’s ever more outrageous behaviour.

So, too, Guy’s loyal butler, Jérôme Bonjean (Raphaël Personnaz), who has come from a rough background. 

Fantin begins extracting increasingly large amounts of money from Marianne to feather his own nest.

Dark family secrets are revealed, as the empire teeters on the brink.

The French/Belgian comedic drama is directed by Thierry Klifa, who co-wrote the screenplay with Cédric Anger and Jacques Fieschi.

It is loosely based on what was known as the Bettencourt affair. 

That involved allegations of illegal payments made by a French billionaire heiress in the early noughties.

High on shock value, The Richest Woman in the World is a step off the deep end, as Pierre-Alain Fantin continues to test the limits.

The film is noteworthy for its displays of ostentatiousness and rich performances from several of the key players.

Notable amongst them is the beautifully turned out Isabelle Huppert, who is positively luminous as Marianne Farrère. 

Laurent Lafitte plays manipulative and sleazy – a viper in the woods – with distinction. He is bold and brassy and doesn’t hold back on anybody’s say so.

In contrast, Raphaël Personnaz distinguishes himself with his visible restraint as the sorely tested butler.

Cinematographer Hichame Alaouie captures the raw emotion, as well as the lavishness on display throughout.

Thierry Klifa has fun with the material, ensuring we won’t readily forget The Richest Woman in the World. 

I was left reflecting on the famous quote from Mark Twain – “truth is stranger than fiction” – for the Bettencourt affair was unquestionably scandalous.

Here the filmmakers have gone to town on a derivative thereof.

Rated M, it scores a 7 ½ out of 10.