Film Review: Connection Overcomes Handicaps in ‘The Intouchables’

Printer-friendly versionPrinter-friendly versionE-mail page to friendE-mail page to friendPDF versionPDF version
No votes yet

CHICAGO – One of the big movie hits in French cinema last year, “The Intouchables,” comes to our shores with a powerful and unusual redemption tale. The true story of a wealthy but quadriplegic man, and his poor but proud caregiver is the subject of a very compelling relationship.

HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 3.5/5.0
Rating: 3.5/5.0

The film flies on the performances of Francois Cluzet as the rich guy and newcomer Omar Sy as his attendant. The two have a terrific chemistry, especially in the quieter moments. Filmmakers Olivier Nakache and Eric Toledano took some liberties with the real story, and in some instances the caregiver character is made to be more miraculous than his background, but overall they honor the unusual pairing with perspective on race, class, immigration and the sorrows of handicap. Represented are the overt physical limitations and the not-so-apparent psychological ones.

Philippe (Francois Cluzet) is a man of wealth in France. Rendered a quadriplegic after a para-gliding accident, he has gone through a series of primary caregivers that don’t gibe with his lust for life. Everything changes when an unusual applicant for the job named Driss (Omar Sy) crosses his path. Driss lives in the French housing projects, and is looking for a signature to collect unemployment. Philippe likes the candid immigrant’s brashness, and asks him to take the job on a trial basis.

Everything goes well, and the trial turns into a permanent employment. Driss does not take any guff from his handicapped boss, and the employer is re-introduced to the life he wants through the unconventional care that Driss provides. The whole household is transformed by the presence of Driss, who starts to paint, learn to drive and go on adventures with Philippe that change both their lives.

“The Intouchables” continues its limited release in Chicago on June 1st. See local listings for theaters and show times. Featuring Francois Cluzet, Omar Sy, Anne Le Ny, Audrey Fleurot, Clothilde Mollet and Alba Gaia Bellugi. Written and directed by Eric Toledano and Olivier Nakache. Rated “R”

StarContinue reading for Patrick McDonald’s full review of “The Intouchables”

Francois Cluzet (Philippe) and Omay Sy (Driss) in ‘The Intouchables’
Francois Cluzet (Philippe) and Omay Sy (Driss) in ‘The Intouchables’
Photo credit: Thierry Valletoux for The Weinstein Company

StarContinue reading for Patrick McDonald’s full review of “The Intouchables”

User Login

Free Giveaway Mailing

TV, DVD, BLU-RAY & THEATER REVIEWS

  • Manhunt

    CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on March 21st, 2024, reviewing the new streaming series “Manhunt” – based on the bestseller by James L. Swanson – currently streaming on Apple TV+.

  • Topdog/Underdog, Invictus Theatre

    CHICAGO – When two brothers confront the sins of each other and it expands into a psychology of an entire race, it’s at a stage play found in Chicago’s Invictus Theatre Company production of “Topdog/Underdog,” now at their new home at the Windy City Playhouse through March 31st, 2024. Click TD/UD for tickets/info.

Advertisement



HollywoodChicago.com on Twitter

archive

HollywoodChicago.com Top Ten Discussions
referendum
tracker