Generous with joy

Rating: Null/10 (18 September 2012)

This genre of feel-good film is far from being uncommon and there is a wide range of treatments from restrained downplaying to shameless contriving. Not a few are "based on" or "inspired by" a real story, which also happens to be claimed by "Intouchables" But even when constraint by real events, there would usually be some plot elements that goes from mildly dramatic to qualifying as a plot twist. "Intouchables" is unique in this context: nothing happens! The above assertion has no evaluation connotations, but simply represents a statement of fact. You actually may not even notice this because the movie is so absorbing. It may be that only when you reflect back, you realize that really nothing much happens in the movie.
The movie is about how street-hardened Driss (Omar Sy) and accident-inflicted quadriplegic Philippe (Francois Cluzet) develops a live-long bond through their relationship as caretaker and patient. The remarkable thing is that there is little sappy poignancy, or maybe I should say none. The two men laugh a lot together, and then they laugh more. Sy portrayal of Driss is so pleasant that the cheekiness becomes entirely acceptable, sometimes even endearing. Philippe simply cannot pull a long face to this young man that is always bubbling with positive energy. When he should be annoyed, he always end up smiling or laughing.
Most of this movie is predictable but that does not take anything away from the thorough pleasure you'll get, particularly from the birthday party the kind-hearted folks organize for Philippe, a complete bore to be endured year after year, until Driss comes along. This is the set piece of the movie.
Two support characters, Philippe's nurse Yvonne (Anne Le Ny) and secretary Magalie (Audrey Fleurot) are icing on the cake, their interaction with Driss bringing smiles, chuckles and bursts of laughs at various intervals. Both perform creditably, while Fleurot's elegant beauty is an added bonus.
I said nothing happens but that's not entirely true. One thing the audience would perhaps miss is that if their focus is visually on the physical handicap of Phillip, they would not register the most important thing he said (or what the sub-title says he said), that being paralysed did not hurt so much as losing his beloved wife. He finally managed to go as far as starting a correspondence with a very nice woman, entirely through email. It was Driss who brought Philippe and his future second wife together face-to-face. The rest is history.
Both Cy and Cluzet were nominated for Cesar. Both deserve to win but unfortunately there was only one prize for best actor. Cluzet has already won before, and that is as good a reason as any that they awarded it to Cy this time.