Director: Olivier Nakache, Eric Toledano
Cast: Francois Cluzet, Omar Sy, Audrey Fleurot, Clotilde Mollet, Anne Le Ny.
Rating: (M)
4 stars (out of 5)
With little in the way of a backstory, The Intouchables requires just a wee bit of imagination to accept the plausibility of such a scenario. But, to give the film-makers some credit, the plot device was inspired by a true story that featured in a French documentary about a French aristocrat's relationship with his Algerian con-man carer.
The Intouchables has been a French box-office smash for one very good reason - it's really funny.
After a very amusing opening sequence involving a Maserati driven at speed through Paris, the story is told via flashback, winding back the reel to the moment when Driss enters Philippe's mansion. It's never certain why Philippe would trust his life to a cheeky disco-loving thief from the disadvantaged suburbs, or why Driss would suddenly abandon his criminal tendencies to bed-bath Philippe, but that's not really the point. It's enough to dine out on Driss' mischievous grin and inappropriate gestures to see the light that he shines into Philippe's life.
Writer-directors Olivier Nakache and Eric Toledano have crafted a satisfying feel-good flick that injects a strong sense of joie de vivre into what ostensibly is a collection of cliched clangers.
Best thing: Omar Sy, he gives one very amusing performance.
Worst thing: Glossing over the social issues related to racial stereotyping.
See it with: Anyone not likely to get hung up on predictable outcomes.
- By Mark Orton
