The combination of François Cluzet as the quadriplegic Philippe, and Omar Sy as his unconventional carer Driss, an ex-convict from the Parisian suburbs, was the key to the success of this film. Its French audience loved it, warming to the likable characters. Essentially a feelgood movie, the disability theme is handled lightheartedly, without social realism. Worthy, this film is not; nonetheless, the viewer is presented with a number of issues about disability and race to grapple with.”The writer-directors […] are cheerfully willing to go for broad gags, and their style is ingratiating. But at the end, by looking through the foreground details, what we’re being given is a simplistic reduction of racial stereotypes.” Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun Times (Cert 15)
Dir: Olivier Nakache & Eric Toledano 112 mins France 2011
Programme Notes
Untouchable (Intouchables)
France 2011 112 minutes Cert. 15
ABCD film society welcomes back all existing and new members to the first full season of screenings at the Abingdon Resource & Wellbeing Centre. We hope you will enjoy the eclectic mix of films chosen with our usual care and attention to detail.
To begin the season, tonight we have Untouchable, which was a huge box office success in France. It is a very light hearted story about the development of a somewhat unlikely friendship between two men.
Wealthy quadriplegic businessmen Philippe (François Cluzet) is dependent upon his staff and carers to provide all his physical needs. But when Driss (Omar Sy) is sent by the employment office for a job interview as carer, life takes on a whole new meaning for both patient and carer alike.
Philippe – François Cluzet
Driss – Omar Sy
Yvonne – Anne Le Ny
Magalie – Audrey Fleurot
Directors – Olivier Nakache, Eric Toledano
Screenplay – Olivier Nakache, Eric Toledano
Original Music – Ludovico Einaudi
Cinematography – Mathieu Vadepied
Producer – Nicolas Duval-Adassovsky, Laurent Zeitoun, Yann Zenou
“If the film begins by trying just a little too hard to paint Driss as a cheeky and lovable scoundrel, and forcing the humour brought on by the character’s opposing worlds, it soon settles into an emotionally engaging and beautifully-acted two-hander…” Adam Lowes, Cine-Vue
Comments
“Brilliant!”
“Super film”
“An excellent start to the season”
“Great film to start the season!”
“A great start to the season. Good and varied music, too.”
“Charming – a good start to the season!”
“One of the best films I’ve seen for long time. Funny, empathetic and thought provoking.”
“You could have heard a pin drop – I loved it! Great start to what looks like a good season.”
“Well that was a bit of fun to start off with.”
“Most enjoyable but not corny or self-pitying. Excellent acting by both main characters.”
“A good choice – it got to the heart of caring.”
“Very enjoyable and well handled, for an unusual situation.”
“An excellent comedy drama, full of enough heart and soul to please even the most demanding film fan. Made even more extraordinary by being based on a true story.”
“Engaging throughout but you have to wonder how much licence was taken with this true story.”
“Enjoyably well acted, if rather sentimental.”
“Of course I laughed a lot but wasn’t really happy with some of the rich/poor, black/white clichés. And some scenes were very drawn-out.”
“Rather mixed – could have done with tighter plotting”
“Life is infectious!”
“Did not notice the supposed racial stereotyping at the time but, on reflection, thought that the dancing scene might fall into that category.”
“Stereotypes, my left foot! Roger Ebert is [sic] a pompous American twit! If the French enjoyed it, why shouldn’t we?”