Intouchables
A lot of movies and their context depends on our reactions. After all, the other day I just had a conversation about someone who didn’t like Django Unchained; commenting on performances and storylines that I thought worked really well. I have also found people who have found it offensive or just a shoddy piece of filmmaking.
Sometimes, it is just a matter of opinion and there are some movies that absolutely polarise. In this case, with The Intouchables have had different reactions. In France, it was hailed as the best cultural event on 2011, gaining major box office success and a lot of positive criticism. Over here and the Western World, it was slammed as an update of Driving Miss Daisy; scrutinising how they deal with the race and the underlining tension in the movie.
Similarly, I see both points.
Intouchables is about a billionaire paraplegic who hires a different kind of carer Driss. Driss has just come out of prison and is only looking for a signature to get benefit, purposely making a hash of his interview. Surprisingly Philippe hires him and unsurprisingly, things go wrong thanks to the clash of Philippes snobby household and friends and Driss forthright or improper attitude. Unsurprisingly, the two end up forming a bond unlike any other. Based on the story of Philippe Pozzo di Borgo and his French-Algerian caregiver Abdel Sellou, Intouchables is a charming French drama.
I can completely understand the thought that this is a new version of Miss Daisy that no one wanted. On the outside, it looks like a down and out black man is only made whole because he is taken in and paid by a rich white man. And a rich white man finds fulfilment from the easy life style of an ethic race. To an extent I see it, a fluff piece that fails to dig at anything, just rehashing a almost racist piece of work from the years of segregation.
But honestly, when I first viewed the piece I didn’t see it nor did I care about what race they are. What I saw was a similar attitude that I saw with Rust and Bone, was a bond that both of them needed. Each sees themselves as equal, regardless. Despite a shaky start for Driss, they accept each other as friends and allies. Philippe, who is a man stuck in his body, has lived his life with people staring down and patronising him because of his condition. This is captured perfectly in the sequence of interviewing caregivers and their condescending attitude towards Philippe. Equally, Driss and his background are treated with much hostility. Their friendship is without pity, it is great as the spar uncouth jokes off each other, pushing each other to further their lives.
Intouchables is simply that; about two men who society haves deemed unacceptable. It is a critical look at the world around them and this really intense friendship between the pair because they understand one another. Intouchables is held up by ridiculously strong performances, winning actor Omar Sy an award at the coveted Cesar Awards. It is just beautiful.
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