★★★★★★★★★★8/10

It seems like the French have a knack for making great films about disabled people. Like 2007′s The Diving Bell and Butterfly, Intouchables is also about a paralyzed man but takes a lighter approach to the situation.  It’s both serious, funny and affirming all around.

François Cluzet plays privileged Parisian, Phillipe.  His great wealth allows him the comforts of a large Parisian estate and staff, but he’s lost everything, the least being his ability to move.  He feels phantom pains despite having no feeling below his neck.  Face with such adversity a lesser man would have given up.  He’s still fighting but lacks focus.  When he hires Driss (Omar Sy) as his new caretaker.  Driss has a troubled past, but both find unexpected experiences and friendship.

Intouchables is a great movie with a snappish pace to it.  As a drama, some points predictable.  As a comedy, both Cluzet and Sy show great humanity while showing the lighter side of things.  Their performances show genuine warmth between the characters and makes this movie a very enjoyable view.

aristocrat, caretaker, disability, Drama, France, French, friends, humanity, Paris, quadriplegic Drama, France