The Untouchables

Rating: 9/10 (5 November 2017)

Despite hearing about the film for years,the chance to see it has somehow always slipped out of my fingers. Taking a look on BBC iPlayer to see what they had replaced their recent run of rare RKO titles with,I was thrilled to see the movie on the site,which led to me finally getting in touch with a viewing.
The plot:
A widow quadriplegic called Philippe asks his assistant Magalie to interview candidates for the job of being his care giver. Believing that he will never successfully re-apply for a job again, Driss goes for an interview with Magalie and Philippe,and asks if they can just sign a paper,so that he can claim benefits for attending an interview. Finding his abrupt manner refreshing,Philippe decides to take a gamble and offer Driss the job. Accepting the job,Philippe and Driss soon get in touch with a new chapter in their lives.
View on the film:
Looking like they have been friends for years, François Cluzet and Omar Sy give utterly superb performances as Philippe and Driss. Appearing in almost every scene together, Sy and Cluzet make the fast bond the appears between them to feel completely natural,with the comedic playful side Sy brings out of the worn-down Driss, perfectly complimenting Cluzet bringing Philippe out of his self- imposed shell.
Placing Driss and Philippe on different sides of the wealth/class divide,the screenplay by co-writers/co-directors Olivier Nakache & Eric Toledano unearth the common ground that binds them, as the delicate brush strokes used in Driss getting Philippe to look for love with a new optimism,are used in Philippe guiding Driss to express himself in art. Closing with footage of the real Driss and Philippe,the co-directors and cinematographer Mathieu Vadepied draw their friendship with excellent close-ups that focus on the changes they bring out in each other,as Philippe and Driss become the intouchables.