The Intouchables

It's been awhile since I've posted on a film but that doesn't mean I haven't seen all the latest Hollywood offerings. I have, I just wasn't moved or impressed by any of them enough to include them in my blog. Today, I was both moved and impressed by a movie whose trailer literally made me laugh out loud when I saw it. It's an award winning French film that I honestly think may be the feel good movie of the year. The film is The Intouchables and it's based on an amazing true story of a wealthy quadriplegic and a passionate, streetwise aid. Phillipe, played by the charming Francois Cluzet is a complicated man, seemingly seldom understood by friends and at times even himself. The enigmatic Driss is played pitch perfectly by the talented Omar Sy. You get the sensation that Driss could tear the head off of someones shoulders at any moment and yet his innocence keeps a smile on your face and you find yourself rooting for him. Omar's wide smile didn't hurt either.

The story starts out with Driss and Phillipe breaking the law. From there the story is one big flashback of the times these two men spent together, and apart. Driss, just paroled needs to have a work order signed and storms into the interviewing Phillipe and his assistant Magalie played by the lovely Audrey Fluerot. Some of the biggest laughs came from the interviewing montage by the way but the second Driss walks in, taking someone else's turn Phillipe is intrigued. The two argue over the composer Berlioz and hit it off almost right away. Phillipe places a wager with Driss that he won't last two weeks and so the adventure begins. Phillipe's actions are immediately questioned by a family friend once word has spread and he was warned that the street kids can't be trusted, they are ruthless, and show no pity. It's in Phillipe's answer that you finally see why he was so taken by Driss. He tells his friend that this is exactly what he wants, "no pity".

Directed well by Olivier Nakache and Eric Toledano, The Intouchables is a film that never takes itself too seriously, littered with characters you enjoy seeing on screen when they arrive. One of my favorites was the level headed Marcelle played by Clotilde Mollet. Olivier and Eric also spare you the obligatory Paris shots that you get from any movie shot in Paris. Thank goodness there are no Eiffel Tower shots and do we really need to see the arch de triumph yet again? Scored beautifully by Ludovico Einaudi's sparse piano this is a movie I think is really worth the price of admission and I just might have to see it again, yes, it was THAT good. It wouldn't surprise me were it to win the Oscar next year for best foreign film. I'll put my money on it and if you see it, I am certain you will agree. And maybe I'll even see you online, either way I'll see you at the theater.