Intouchables
Director: Olivier Nakache, Eric Toledano
Writer: Olivier Nakache, Eric Toledano
Cast: François Cluzet, Omar Sy, Anne Le Ny, Audrey Fleurot, Clotilde Mollet

Plot:
Driss (Omar Sy) was just released from prison and is now looking for enough job refusals so he can get his unemployment checks. But much to his surprise the rich and quadriplegic Philippe (François Cluzet) decides to hire him as his caretaker – despite or just because of Driss’ lacking attitude. Driss applies himself fully to the job, completely turns  everything in Philippe’s life upside down and becomes Philippe’s best friend. But Driss’ family as much as Philippe’s have their own demands.

Intouchables is a wonderful little movie. Beautifully made and with a good sense of humor, it manages to pull off to be deep and light at the same time. Plus, the two leads are really great.

Intouchables is one of the rare movies that is not only not too long, but in fact it’s too short. I could have watched those two for another hour, easily. You could basically touch the characters and their connection, it just felt so real. And Omar Sy as much as François Cluzet are extremely charming and funny in their roles, so you just fall right into their story.

I also really liked the way Philippe’s disability was handled, showing many of the obstacles he faces everyday with a certain directness and nonchalance and never reducing him to his disability, but keeping sight of the person at all times. It is sad that this is something you have to point out, but it is something that is much too rare. Usually, when there are disabled people at all, they’re disabled first and people second. It’s the other way round here.

But what I maybe liked best about the film (and since I liked the entire film a whole damn lot, this is saying much) was the soundtrack. Not only the nice selection of already existing songs (from Nina Simone to Vivaldi) but also the beautiful score by Ludovico Einaudi.

Basically it is comfort made film with a cinematographically beautiful package to boot. It made me laugh and then cry and then both at the same time. A film that left me uplifted and with a huge grin on my face.

Summarising: I expected to like the film, but not that I would love it so much.