Intouchables

English title: The Intouchables

Genre: buddy comedy 

With: François Cluzet (Philippe), Omar Sy (Bakary Bassari, a.k.a. Driss), Audrey Fleurot (Magalie, Philippe’s assistant), Anne Le Ny (Yvonne), Clotilde Mollet (Marcelle, the nurse)

Directors: Olivier Nakache and Éric Toledano

Release: 2011

Studio: Quad Productions, Ten Films, Canal+ et al.

Rating: 14A

MBiS score: 8.0/10

A Sidekick at Your Bedside

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Story-line: while interviewing prospective caregivers, a wheelchair-bound French aristocrat meets a Senegalese schemer whose only interest is submitting enough job applications to get back on welfare. Guess what happens next!

Pluses: sturdy acting by the capable François Cluzet, Omar Sy’s irresistible charisma, a lively and funny screenplay, vigorous pacing and direction, dandy visuals and a driving, swinging soundtrack.

Minuses: INTOUCHABLES is a little too neat and does feel empty at times but you’ll be hooked once you’ve seen its hilarious 15-minute intro.

Comments: call it predictable, formulaic, clichéd and well-worn… but INTOUCHABLES remains an endearing odd-couple story and a perfect picker-upper if you’re down in the dumps. No wonder it was such a hit in France!

MBiS

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