Intouchables

Ratings: 8.0/10
Film Class: B
Genre: Drama (French)

This light-hearted and moving drama about a rich man who suffers from quadriplegia (paralysis of all four limbs/entire body below the neck) and his caretaker is sure to put a smile on your face. Actually, just by looking at the movie poster and watching the trailer, even though the topic of discussion is depressing, it's not a film that will leave you weeping and feeling emo after watching it.

Nominated for the 70th Annual Golden Globe Award (which haven't took place) under the category of Best Foreign Language Film this year (2013), I'm hopeful Intouchables will clinch the award. Even though I haven't caught the rest of the nominated films, such as Armour, Rust and Bone, Kon-Tiki and A Royal Affair (which all looks good too), judging from the reviews on imdb alone, there's no reason to think otherwise. 

And even though Omar Sy (the caretaker) was nominated and won a couple of other awards such as the Best Actor/Best Male Newcomer, I didn't think his acting was particularly great. In fact, I thought the other lead who was quadriplegia was the one who delivered a performance to remember. 

The quadriplegic, has had many caretakers in his life, but decided to choose a very different candidate this time round. Instead of the usual qualified candidates, he employed someone from a very different background, who's living a crisis of his own (with his family) and who's more of a street punk. Not wanting to garner pity from his caretakers, he made a risky and unconventional choice that will change his life forever. 

The chemistry between the 2 leads was exceptionally moving, and allows the audience to dive into the situation they were in and to feel for the characters. It has a simple, yet powerful plot, and there were lotsa funny scripting which lightened up the mood. 

Oh, and did I forget to mention this is based on a true story? 

Even though there's no such word as "intouchables", I believe it just refers to "untouchables", with a finesse. The opening scene illustrates this, and the friendship which builds despite a wall of disability makes this more than a feel good movie, it shows how a leap of faith may bring out the best in you, and those around you.