Movie Title: The Intouchables
First Watch / Repeat Viewing
Running Time: 1 hr. 52 min.
Rated: R
Who did I watch with?: Flying Solo
Where did I watch it?: Home
Review:
The Intouchables is a touching story of two men from very different backgrounds that come together to radically improve each other’s lives. Philippe (Francois Cluzet) is a noble, but heartbroken man. His wife is dead. His daughter is a rebellious teenager. He was paralyzed in a hand gliding accident. Life has not been going well. On the plus side he is exceptionally wealthy and lives in a posh Paris estate. He is lonely and tired of people poking around and treating him like a cripple.
Driss (Omar Sy) is a hoodlum. He was recently released from jail after serving six months for robbery. All he is looking for is someone to sign his work release form indicating that he applied for a job and was rejected, so that he can apply for public assistance. Driss goes on an interview to be Philippe’s caretaker and despite his initial assumptions is hired. Driss breathes new life into the house and breaks Philippe from the morose nature of the house. He makes it lively again and the two develop a deep friendship. The two are still from different worlds and this remains obvious. It is the one thread that leads to tremors in their relationship.
The Intouchables perfectly balances the subplots of which there are many. Aside from the development of the relationship between the two men, none take precedence over the other and they don’t overwhelm the story.
Verdict:
The Intouchables is a sweet movie about friendship that has a lot of humor. See it.
Tomorrow’s Movie: The Tree of Life (2011)
