The Intouchables

With The Intouchables, the directing/writing team of Olivier Nakache and Eric Toledano have created my favorite and, also, the best film of the year.

 

Based on a true story, Phillipe (François Cluzet) and Driss (Omar Sy) are the oddest pair in any buddy-film I’ve seen.  Widower Phillipe is a wealthy paraplegic resulting from a paragliding accident.  Driss is a recently-released petty thief originally from Senegal, who Phillipe hires as his caretaker; his reasoning being that the uncompassionate Driss will not treat him with pity, which has been his fate with the rest of society.

From their initial interaction, while Driss learns how to be a caretaker, to the antics the two indulge in together once that hurdle has been leaped, The Intouchables is hilarious, charming, endearing and surprising.  I’ve seen it four times, taking friends, who have all enjoyed it as much as I have continued to do.  You really can’t find a better film for your money.  And, it has the best soundtrack of the year, as well.

Surprisingly and unfortunately, The Intouchables has not had much exposure here in the states.  However, where it has played, it has played well.  I believe the Paris Theater in New York played it for over 6 months and has, now, brought it back for the Holidays.  In France, it is the second highest grossing film of all times and it has earned over $369 million dollars world-wide, which makes it one of, if not the highest grossing French film ever.  It is, currently, up for a Golden Globe as best foreign film, pitted against the awesome Amour.

If you can’t see The Intouchables in a theater, get it on Netflix. 

I give The Intouchables a 5+ out of 5.