Unpretentious movie about an unlikely friendship - worth seeing

Rating: 8/10 (16 January 2015)

A French movie about a friendship that develops between two characters that came from the opposite sides of the society: a middle aged aristocrat Paul confined to a wheelchair after a paragliding accident and a young Senegalese man (Driss) with a criminal past, no job and limited prospects in the projects where he lives.
The rich surroundings of Paul's mansion are a stark contrast to the environment that Driss knows. It is not important to question why Paul took an immediate liking to Driss, perhaps it was the unpretentious humour and his obvious unfamiliarity with the protocols in Paul's world. Against the advice of his caretakers he hires Driss for a trial period. The ensuing "training" provides funny moments and both men benefit in their own ways.
Maybe one could question the risk that Paul takes in trusting such an unknown but he goes on his instincts and lets Driss take him in directions where he would not dare go himself. Both men enjoy the journey and develop along the way. I have some criticism of the unnecessary exaggerations in the script, such as pouring hot water on paraplegic's legs just to emphasize the point or what is the likelihood of a happy end in the final scenes or the interactions with Paul's daughter and her boyfriend but it is not relevant.
The movie portrays tolerance, disability and friendship in a humorous way and with great acting. Worth seeing.