Untouchable

2011’s Untouchable (or, to give its title in its native country, the somewhat grammar suspicious, The Intouchables) was one of France’s biggest ever hits at the box office. It’s a surprise then that it has taken so long for it to be finally released in the UK. It’s been worth the wait though as this is a fine film. Joint writer / directors Olivier Nakache and Eric Toledano tell the story of Philippe (François Cluzet), a millionaire aristocrat who is a paraplegic, and his working relationship with his carer, Driss (Omar Sy). Effectively told in flashback we discover that Driss, a Senegalese immigrant from the Parisian projects, only turned up at a job interview to be Philippe’s career just so he could have a form signed in order so he could continue to collect welfare benefits. However, Philippe offers him the job and the film follows their bond from professional set up through to a loving and trusting friendship. Some reviewers have taken offence at the somewhat crass stereotypes on show and a storyline that basically says uptight white people can only enjoy life if they’re shown the way by carefree black people. Watching the film I can’t deny that anyone who formulates that opinion is wrong, but to me the film is more about using these social and cultural differences as a skeleton on which the forces that drive the film, the drama and the jokes, are added. Plus, the main point of the film (pointed out by Philippe himself) is that Driss treats his boss not with pity or compassion, but as an equal. It should also be pointed out that the film is actually inspired by a true story (told in the documentary A la vie, à la mort). On that front, superb actor though Cluzet is, could his part not have been played by a real paraplegic actor? One other stumbling block is just how likeable is Driss as a character? Brilliantly played by Sy (Nakache and Toledano have worked with him before) he is one of the most exasperating characters committed to celluloid in recent years. He’s bluff, he’s a sex pest (constantly hassling Philippe’s assistant Magalie, played by Audrey Fleurot who UK viewers will recognise from Spiral), he doesn’t appear to want to help his own family unless he has to and doesn’t think twice about spoiling someone else’s fun as long as he gets his own way. It’s a credit to Sy that he imbues Driss with such charisma that we let him get away with it. However you may feel about this film, it can’t be denied that it is very very funny and the chemistry between Cluzet and Sy sparkles in both the dramatic scenes and when things are more horseplay based. On a warning note, if you’re not used to French films you may find some of the humour a little uncomfortable, summed up by the scene where Magalie sees Driss wearing a suit for the first time and (in dead seriousness) pays him a compliment by telling him “You look like Obama”. But how can they look like each other? One’s a 34 year old French actor, whilst the other is the 51 year old President of the United States, and facially there is no resemblance at all. Oh hang on a sec…they’re both black! Christ.

The OC Film Sting Final Verdict

An uplifting and, at times, utterly hilarious film showing how friendships can be formed in the most unusual of circumstances. Catch this now before the inevitable English language remake. Rating: 8/10.