Synopsis: The Intouchables (2011)



The Intouchables is a French film about two men from two different parts of the world who build an incredible friendship. Philippe is a paralyze richman who recruit Driss who is a young man from project as his caregiver. His lack of experience is balanced by an openness to Philippe's world that brings adventure and a new outlook to their time together, which is frequently humorous and poignant.

Philippe, paralyzed from the neck down by a paragliding accident, is fed up with the pitying and overly formal demeanor of his previous caregivers. He opts to hire Driss, who has no formal training and who had only applied for the position to secure unemployment benefits. Philippe is fascinated by Driss’s can-do irreverence and a sense of indifference and lack of pity that contrasts sharply with the pity that generally consists of the bulk of the attention Philippe receives.

Driss has a rocky start in his new role but quickly grows close with Philippe. The film sees them develop an unlikely bond of friendship and respect for each other as Driss inspires Philippe to enjoy life again. Driss takes Philippe out of the strict confines of his wheelchair bound routine — bringing him procès driven adventures including smoking cannabis, checking out night clubs, hiring a helicopter; Philippe returns the favor, exposing Driss to the arts, culture, and everything beautiful and decent.

As their friendship grows, Driss assists Philippe in reconnecting with his out-of-reach family and philippes monstruous love life, particularly Philippe’s relationship with a woman they had been corresponding with but never actually met. Philippe, in turn, assists Driss with his troubled family life, including the younger brother who is heading down a dangerous path.

The movie ends with Driss assisting Philippe in meeting up with his pen pal, resulting in an uplifting and emotionally compelling ending that emphasizes the life-changing nature of companionship and human contact.

Character Details

  • Philippe (François Cluzet): An upper-crust intellectual who becomes a quadriplegic after a paragliding accident. Still smart and funny, Philippe despaired of his loss of mobility. Driss’ friendship rejuvenates and enervates his life.
  • Driss (Omar Sy): A project youngwhose criminal record leads him to apply for the job of Philippe’s caregiver because so long as he has a job he can continue collecting unemployment benefits. Driss is energetic, uninhibited and has a natural charisma that endears himself to Philippe and the rest of the household staff.
  • Yvonne (Anne Le Ny): Philippe’s devoted housekeeper, who is initially doubtful of how able Driss is to fit into the job but eventually comes to accept him and, ultimately, these burgeoning bonds between Philippe and Driss.
  • Magalie (Audrey Fleurot): Philippe’s attractive red-haired assistant, whom Driss initially tries to seduce, only to learn later that she is a lesbian. Her interactions with Driss add humor and depth to the story.
  • Adama (Cyril Mendy):  Driss’s younger brother, whose engagement in dubious practices underlines the tough neighborhood Driss hails from. Driss’s care for Adama also helps prove his protective instinct and his wish to steer his brother in the right direction.
  • Eléonore (Dorothée Brière): Philippe’s pen pal and love interest. Their relationship, which plays out through a series of heartfelt letters exchanged between the two, becomes a significant subplot that is eventually resolved through a meeting arranged by Driss.

The film showcases the transformative power of friendship and how it can bridge social and cultural divides. Philippe and Driss’s relationship, marked by mutual respect and genuine affection, demonstrates that people from different walks of life can profoundly impact each other in positive ways.

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