The Intouchables

The Intouchables is a well-acted feel-good movie, and although the two leads are mostly stereotyped movie characters, it escapes being cliched due to good onscreen chemistry. Based on a true story.

Francois Cluzet plays the rich quadraplegic, Phillippe. He is a widow with a teen daughter, and has a staff that does everything for him--feed him, bathe him, exercise him, answer his letters. He is not depressed about his condition, and often makes jokes about it. We come to see later why he has this lust for life, though it is due to a bittersweet reason. Currently he is interviewing for a new full time caregiver. We see Driss (Omar Sy), an unemployed young Senegalese, sitting amongst other stodgy white guys waiting for their interview with Phillippe. Obviously he looks out of place to us, but Driss gives no sense that he cares. He is only there to get a signature on a form to show he applied for a job so that he can collect unemployment benefits. Compared to the other dull men, all whom are more qualified, Driss' cheeky attitude and lively personality intrigue Phillippe and is pretty much hired on the spot.

The film shows us the typical differences between the two that we would expect--Phillippe likes classical music and fine art, Driss likes funk music and the ladies; Phillippe can afford to take an impromptu flight on a private plane, while Driss' mother works as an office cleaner to support several children, including a younger son who is getting involved in drug dealing.

Driss finds out that Phillippe has been corresponding with a female pen pal, writing poetic letters, but is afraid to meet her. This relationship comes to fruition through Driss' help. He also helps Phillippe's daughter with her boy troubles, gets some of the staff to start dating each other, etc. Phillippe also brings out some artistic talent in Driss and encourages him to get his home life in order instead of avoiding the problems at home.

Although it has some subplots that are dramatic, such as Phillippe's accident and Driss' brother's drug job, this is not a heavy drama, but with light comedy and juxtaposition of the differences of the two characters, which are not portrayed as a detriment to the relationship. It seems to bring out the better parts of the other character more. Cluzet, since he is confined to the chair and can only act with his head and face, does a really good job realizing the emotions and lack of movement this story makes him go through (and physically he is believable as a quadraplegic). Sy gets to be more physical of course, but his acting is also good, yet his character is not dumbed down to a street thug type. The supporting characters' stories gives Driss things to do to round out his personality but they do not overshadow the main relationship/story.