Finding out your husband is a porn baron would be daunting enough for most people. So spare a thought for uptight housewife Sophie (Natacha Langinger) who inherits her spouse’s ailing adult film empire on the day of his funeral in this entertaining French series.
Whilst the premise of the show suggests a potential for raunch, Hard aims more for tittering rather than titillating. It provides some genuine smiles as Sophie has to put aside her naivety to manage the company’s expansive portfolio. Going so far as to bring in an acting coach to help the performers become more believable in their work. Linginder is thoroughly charming throughout. As too is François Vincentelli playing Roy the Rod, the dimwitted star performer whose feelings for Sophie end up being bad for business.
Unfortunately, with only six episodes, each no longer than 28 minutes, Hard feels at times a little soft. There’s not really much room to let the plot breathe and a subplot involving prostitution that surfaces in the penultimate episode feels tacked on rather than organic. However, the show very rarely outstays its welcome and ultimately wins you over.
John Noonan 