Intouchables [Untouchable] (****)
Directed
by: Olivier Nakache & Éric Toledano
Starring:
François Cluzet; Omar Sy; Audrey Fleurot; Clotilde Mollet; Anne Le Ny; Alba
Gaïa Kraghede Bellugi; Cyril Mendy; Christian Ameri; Grégoire Oestermann; Marie-Laure
Descoureaux; Absa Dialou Toure; Salimata Kamate
Seen:
January 18th 2013
****
Out of ****
I
have said it before and I will say it again, the French have a certain flair
for making movies that touch the heart (see Amelie, A Very Long Engagement, and
Welcome to the Sticks for a short introduction). This is no different with
Intouchables, the most heart-warming movie I have seen in a very long time and
a frontrunner for the top spot of my favourite movies for 2013. I enjoyed this
movie so much that I will even encourage those who do not like subtitles to go
see this – it might just open your eyes to a whole different world.
Philippe
(Cluzet) is quadriplegic, and after having driven off yet another caregiver, he
has his assistant Magalie (Fleurot) set up interviews to find a replacement. Driss
(Sy) is living on welfare and is more or less a freeloader, living off his
unemployment benefit. To keep receiving this benefit however, Driss must prove
that he is looking for a job, and thus he bursts in on the interviews with
Magalie and Philippe to get a signature from them, indicating another failed
interview. Philippe promises Driss that he will have the signed letter ready
the next day and Driss simply neads to come pick it up then. When Driss
arrives, he learns that he is now on probabtion, as Philippe’s caretaker. Driss
initially scoffs at the idea, but decides to give it a shot – trying to answer
Philippe’s stubborn choice with his own hard-headedness. The scene is now set
for a movie that not only tugs at the heartstrings, but that genuine makes one
laugh on multiple occasions as Driss learns more of Philippe’s conditions and
his dreams, and Philippe continually draws something from Driss that Driss
himself never suspected was there as the two become close friends.
With
the acting from Omar Sy and François Cluzet the movie is one long highlight
running from joke to serious discussion to whimsy to a helping hand with life,
love and the pursuit of happiness. Sy shares some precious moments with Fleurot
as Driss continually tries to flirt with Magalie to disastrous yet hilarious
effect. The story is inspired by the real life story of Philippe Pozzo di Borgo
and his caregiver Abdel Sellou, and just the thought that this beautiful story
(or remnant thereof) unfolded in real life is inspiring.
Intouchables
is definitely one of the most beautiful movies I have seen in my time, and also
absolutely one of the funniest ones. I wholeheartedly recommend this movie to
anyone in the mood for an emotionally lifting experience.
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