Intouchables (Untouchables) - you will be touched

Rating: 9/10 (2 May 2012)

This film is one of those that you will remember, as you want to remember it. The theme itself is very serious (how do people treat handicapped people), but you will definitely laugh your head off when you see in what way a man who is totally dependent on others is treated by his man-servant. It is these actions, the humour and the matter-of- fact style when a reference to the handicap is made ("here is a letter for you, why don't you open it, oh, I forgot, you cannot move your arms"), that lift this film above other films with the same theme / message. The message brought by this film is: I don't need you to pity me, I want you to treat me normally. I think many (handicapped) people will recognise this behaviour immediately.
Despite everything you've read so far, I cannot remember how many times I had to laugh, and believe me, sometimes one really does think this film is a screwball comedy, but you wouldn't be further from the truth, as you will be reminded of the deeper level again and again.
The film shows many contrasts which would surely be enough for many discussions: black vs white, rich vs poor, upper-class vs lower-class and, last but not least, two totally contrasting worlds come together in a way that is hard to describe, maybe even harder to believe. Luckily, these discussions will not be necessary, as the film focuses on something much more important.
The film is based on the real lives of two persons. One being absurdly rich, belonging to one of the oldest aristocratic families of France, living in his own palace. The other a foreign, jobless (former) delinquent living in harsh conditions in some Parisian suburb where criminals rule. Why do these two people get along so well? A very simple answer: they do not judge the other, they simply respect the other and by doing so, they show us how it should be. That is the lesson we learn from their story and this film.