Movie Review: Intouchables (2011)

Written and Directed By: Olivier Nakache and Eric Toledano

(Based on a true story)

Intouchables (aka Untouchables) is a story of incredible friendship between paralyzed millionaire Philippe and a male nurse Driss. Philippe is unable to do anything by himself but breath, he needs a person to support his most essential needs: a person who'll be his legs when he wants to run or dance, his driver when he wants to drive, his nurse when he's ill and a friend - all the time. Driss is unemployed black ex-detainee, who seems to be little bit irresponsible. He applies for positions of nurse (for Philippe of course) with the only motivation of getting his social security certificate. Despite having no experience millionaire decides to hire him.

Film starts with an astonishing scene: Driss drives a car very fast trying to escape the police. Philippe is sitting next to him. They both enjoy it. Driss bets 200 euros to make the police escort them and he does it. "First time I lose" - said Philippe.

But later I found that this is how the movie ends and then the story happens from the beginning.

I've to admit that for the first time a nurse and a patient friendship story made me remember some other movies, like Dying Young (with Julia Roberts and Campbell Scott) but I was wrong. It is totally different, more sincere, more funny and enjoyable.

Philippe likes Driss because he's the only one who treats him like a normal human. Sometimes Driss forgets that his "patient" can not movie any of his joints, when phone rings he passes a mobile so that Philippe could "pick it up", but he obviously can not and they both laugh. But Driss also takes a lot care of him, spends nights by his bed, helps him to enjoy the life, makes him smoke weeds and just feel like a common man hanging out in the street.

Driss also provides Philippe assistance in returning to the dating world, while Philippe presents Driss with a lot of unfamiliar experiences: They fly in a private jet, they go paragliding, and they get around in expensive sports cars.

They both act amazingly. Omar Sy (Driss) received French Oscar for his performance, Francois Cluzet (Philippe) is outstandingly perfect. They portrait real people who still live somewhere over the Earth now. I can imagine those two actors are the best parts of them. 

Ultimately, it's pretty much predictable, mass-pleaser movie. But there is so much frankness, fun, touching stories, friendship and just amazing moments that one can not resist loving it. There is nothing in this film you'll say "I don't like it", it is purely perfect family film.

9/10