The Intouchables- Where was this movie until now?

Rating: 9/10 (24 January 2016)

Who is the untouchable? Is the sick man or is it Driss? I think both. One has a repulsive sickness and the other is a thug, outcast. It is subjective. You have to watch it to decide. Untouchable is a beautiful movie. I speak English, but i watched it with French subtitle. I don't say this often, but I enjoyed it very much. Where was this movie until now?
The starting scene is intense. The camera is close up on two people sitting in a BMW, looking indifferently at the Paris night lights. The driver, Driss, suddenly breaks a traffic signal and violates speed limits. The police is hot on their trail. All this time, the other guy sitting beside Driss, Phillip, is indifferent. Out of the blue, Driss bets Phillip that he can lose the cops. So the chase begins. But Driss gets cutoff by a police car just when he thought he had lost the cars on their trail. Now things starts to get interesting. I had not read any article about this movie. I had no idea what was about to come. Phillip could not walk, but still he helps Driss win the bet. Now the movie goes in flashback where life of Phillip and Driss is revealed and how they came across each other.
Philip is leper neck down. Not leper exactly, but he can't feel a thing. He is rich and he is interviewing people for position of a nurse. In this atypical scene, Driss with his hood and a jacket over it stands out. He is not there for the job- he knows he is not getting it. He wants a rejection letter so that he can get benefit. Waiting in queue, Driss loses patience and barges in Philip's cabin requesting him to sign. But, as you will see, Driss and Phillip hit it off. Both are poles apart. But still a spark is there, and it is there throughout. I think the chemistry between them is the soul of the movie. You never want it to end. You are scared that it might end. It is this dual feeling that will keep you on the edge-beautifully balanced.
This movie evokes different emotions. For instance, pity- see Philip struggling, love- a different sort between two men; humor- between Driss and secretary, between Driss and Phillip, the shaving scene; frustration- why is Driss leaving Phillip. This is just the tip of the iceberg. I think a very few movie can do such. And emotions transcends all boundaries. Audiences are able to connect, unlike most of the movies. And this connection puts the movie right up there with the best. Another movie that comes in this category is Shawshank.
I recommend - A must must watch. A beautiful movie. Hat off to the full crew.