Co-writing and directing duo Olivier Nakache and Eric Toledano tick all the necessary cliché boxes in adapting the true story of a wealthy quadriplegic who hires a lower class assistant to enrich his life. The filmmakers cheat the original story by changing the nationality of the personal aide from Arab to a Senegalese-born Frenchman. While questionable in their motives for doing so, the choice allows for a winning performance from Omar Sy (“Micmacs”) as Driss, a family man who temporarily leaves behind the gloom of Parisian projects housing to soak up the good life while helping his charge Philippe (Francois Cluzet) find joy in his severely abbreviated existence. The movie shines via the tender friendship that develops between Driss and Philippe. Having lost use of everything below the neck in a hang-gliding accident, Philippe relies on his staff to exercise his muscles if not his mind and imagination. He’s not looking for empathy, but rather a kind of tough love that a smalltime ex-con such as Driss can effortlessly supply. While some audiences will find fault with the film for advancing racial stereotyping, “The Intouchables” is a well-crafted comedy built on humanitarian values.
Rated R. 112 mins. (B) (Three Stars – out of five/no halves)
