a beautiful and honest story of two men that embrace and live life to the fullest, even in difficult situations

Rating: 10/10 (21 July 2012)

You may read the synopsis for The Intouchables or look at the poster and think to yourself you are about to watch a Lifetime Original Movie. "After he becomes a quadriplegic from a paragliding accident, an aristocrat hires a young man from the projects to be his caretaker" (via IMDb). This is not the first or last movie to talk about the true story of a paraplegic and his caretaker, or a rich and poor person that come together to form a relationship and change each other's lives. But it is definitely better than most films that you could associate with it.
The Intouchables follows the story of Driss, a poor and wandering ex-criminal from the projects that takes an interview at the home of Philippe, the wealthy paraplegic. We find out quickly that Driss is very aware he won't be getting the job, as he barges into the interview room and asks Philippe to just sign his sheet to document that he is trying to get a job. Driss is trying to keep his unemployment active and needs signatures from job interviews to do so.
What Driss wasn't expecting was that Philippe would want him for the job. With dozens of more qualified applicants (more qualified albeit a bit too professional and less human), Driss was beyond the long shot. But Philippe sees something in Driss. He believes he is the right choice for him, not just because he is capable of taking care of him, but he is a person that will treat him right.
Even after ample warnings from the other people that take care of Philippe and his other family members, Philippe believes in his decision, and with great reason. This isn't some helping another human and making him a better person story or seeing the good inside a troubled man. Philippe explains that Driss treats him real. He doesn't pity his situation, but rather jokes about it and forgets when he tries doing things like handing Philippe a phone.
And this is part of the joy of this film. The relationship between Philippe and Driss is full of jokes, often at the expense of the other person, but with a human quality. And while this may seem like an old story, it is played out brilliantly by the writing and, especially, by the acting of Omar Sy (Driss) and Francois Cluzet. Sy is absolutely brilliant and hilarious as Driss, but has an underlying tone of compassion. The life he brings to the screen is unquestionably the strongest aspect of this film, and is the reason an American remake is already being talked about with actors like Jamie Foxx and Idris Elba rumored to play the lead role.
To read the rest of the review (IMDb thread too short) visit: http://custodianfilmcritic.com/the- intouchables/