LES INTOUCHABLES

France, 2012, 108 minutes, Colour.
Francois Cluzet, Omar Sy,
Directed by Olivier Nakache, Eric Toledano.

A film that proved most popular in its native France, a popularity that carried over into the wider world.
This is a film about the physically disabled and carers, but takes the humorous path to communicate serious realities.

Francois Cluzet, one of France’s best actors in recent times, plays Philippe, a wealthy man who can do what he likes and pay for it, but is hampered because he is quadriplegic. He can sack carers at whim (and does), wants his own way always and likes to make some mischief but is dependent.
Another day, on a whim, and exasperating his staff, he takes on the most unlikely carer who has little or no experience but has a mouth that can get him into trouble and an attitude which does rate respect highly on a list of values. He is a would-be thief, Driss (Omar Sy), who doesn’t really want the job and has his exasperated moments, juggling events in his own complicated life and the increasing demands of Philippe. But, he stays.

Needless to say, this is going to lead to a series of unconventional episodes as the pair go on the loose (and raise the sexual issues treated with such sensitivity in The Sessions). And, of course, despite the differences, he is from Africa, Philippe belongs to French society, a strong bond is forged and an unusual friendship.

The inherent sense of humanity is what has appealed to audiences as well as the genial presence of Omar Sy. We are entertained even as we are challenged about disability, health, care, class, crime, friendship.

1. The popularity of the film? In France? Universal? Humane, French, funny?

2. The title, physical and psychological? How untouchable were the central characters? Help, dependency, friendship?

3. The French city, the streets, the mansion, cars, speeding, skydiving, the contrast with the poorer areas of the city with the migrant populations?

4. The opening, Driss, from Africa, in France? Driving? Philippe, his physical situation, dependency, enjoying the drive, the bets, the chase, the police, taking them to the hospital, the aftermath?

5. Driss, his background, Senegal, coming to France? His family and the complexities, his aunt and her children? His relationships? The robberies, in jail, coming out? Coming home and his aunt ousting him? Being with his friends? Concern about his brother? The little girl and his concern? Living on benefits, seeking a job, wanting the signature?

6. The collage of interviews for working for Philippe? Magali as Philippe’s assistant? Yvonne and her place in the household? The characters? Listening to the interviews, the various motivations, ability for caregiving, not? Philippe’s reaction? Driss and his arrival, in hurry, no prospects?

7. Philippe delaying the signature, getting Driss to return? Driss as frank, intelligent, but limited on information and culture, his humour, direct approach? Philippe hiring him? The bets? Driss and his room, the bath, bed, luxury?

8. Philippe and his situation, quadriplegic reality, dependence being lifted, washed, sanitary attention, reading, the intercom? The story of the accident, his long marriage to his wife, the commemorative eggs and Driss returning the stolen one? His moods, happy, desperate?

9. Driss, capacity for learning, his rejection of putting on the stockings, the implications, not wanting to do the sanitary work? Yvonne helping him? Lifting, testing the hot water on Philippe’s lead? The car, driving, talking, the growing friendship?

10. Driss and his effect on Philippe, laughter, common sense, the introduction to court, overcoming depression, the joy of being a flyer, Driss is music and its rhythms?

11. Philippe’s influence on Driss, extending his vocabulary, the range of music, listening in the car, Driss laughing at the opera? literature references? Issues of sexuality? Philippe and the ears as an erogenous zone, going to the massage?

12. Driss, the art exhibition, Philippe buying the work, Driss’s laughter and reaction? His own attempt painting? €11,000 price, Driss and his creativity?

13. The skydiving, the beauty of the mountains, the exhilaration of being in the air, Driss and his fear, the jump, the exuberance?

14. Magali, her place in the household, Driss and his flirting, her responses, the jokes, her relationship and Driss’s reaction?

15. Yvonne, loyal, friendship, advice for Driss, the dancing, his encouraging her in her relationships? Her calling him at the end fall Philippe?

16. The brother, Driss and his visit home, the brother coming to the house, the explanation to Philippe?

17. Concluding his work, going back to his family, prospects for the future? Jobs?

18. Philippe, his successor, his becoming angry, the intercom, the response of the helper? Yvonne and her call? Driss’s return?

19. The postscript, seeing the two together, the characters and home the film was based?

20. The blend of humor, pathos, issues of dependency? Bonds of friendship? Hope?