The Intouchables

[J.D.]

The Intouchables (2011) is an uproariously funny, culturally adroit French movie, based on a real story.

Philippe is a fabulously wealthy quadriplegic looking for a helper for his day-to-day tasks and umm...bodily functions.

Driss is fresh out of jail.

Despite the fact that Philippe hires him over a hoard of other candidates, Driss doesn't even understand Philippe's condition (the experiment with the teapot...oh god!). In the initial stages, he does not even want to be there. He's just come in to get a signature so he can claim the dole.

The Driss realises some of the perks of the job and he and Philippe embark on a series of extremely funny adventures, largely built around the dichotomy of a rich Parisian man who depends for everything on a Senegalese migrant with a dodgy past. Philippe introduces Driss to haute coutre with outrageous results. Driss introduces Philippe to weed and tries to get him laid.

In the end, I'm not convinced that some of this wasn't ad libbed. The chemistry between François Cluzet (Philippe) and Omar Sy (Driss) is that of two real friends. Sy is spectacular. He dominates like few can. His size gives him a screen presence anyway but his antics and characterisation are so powerful that you end up wondering who the movie is about.

In the end, it's about boys being boys and we all love that.

Highly recommended.

(In French with subtitles)

[smithcorp]

Excellent film, agreed. Based, as they say, on a true story.

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[durbster]

Added to the list. It's called Untouchable on our rental service.

[smithcorp]

You will love it Durbs. Bib and I laughed and laughed.

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[Johnny X]

I'll add to the recommendations

One of the few films I've enjoyed watching in recent times. Nothing to add to J.D's summary... spot on

Edit: if you like Intouchables you might also enjoy The Diving Bell and The Butterfly. A similar type of story about Elle editor Jean-Dominique Bauby who suffers a stroke and has to live with an almost totally paralyzed body. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0401383/?ref_=sr_1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; Not as humorous as Intouchables but worth a watch all the same if you like human interest stories.

[durbster]

This finally popped through the letterbox a couple of weeks ago and I watched it last night.

It is absolutely brilliant and has slotted right up there as one of my favourite films

The wife fell asleep after about twelve seconds so I might force her to watch it so I can see it again before I send it back.

Thanks for the recommendation.