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Trust Weighted
OK
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66Trust Points
Wick's Review
Summary - OK 2.5
The Intouchables clearly plays better in its native France than to we Americans. There it is a cultural sensation that bridges the divide between an immigrant underclass and wealthy patricians, the former living in bleak suburban projects, the latter in central Paris. Featuring big French stars and based on a true story, it has become France’s second biggest box office hit ever.
To this American it plays as a modestly charming but overly predictable story that is short on laughs and long on triteness, kind of like a TV movie done up with feature film production values and stars.
Acting - Very Good 3.5
François Cluzet is a tremendously appealing actor, even as a quadriplegic. Cluzet can also be seen in the terrific thriller Tell No One.
Omar Sy is also quite charismatic as the Senegalese-born guy who forms an unlikely bond with him.
Male Stars - Very Good 3.5
Female Stars - Very Good 3.5
Female Costars - Very Good 3.5
Male Costars - Very Good 3.5
Film - OK 2.5
Direction - OK 2.5
Dialogue - Barely OK 2.0
Music - Very Good 3.5
Visuals - Good 3.0
Edge - Risqué 1.6
Sex Titillating 1.6
Violence Gentle 1.3
Rudeness Salty 1.9
Reality - Glib 1.1
The caretaker in the real story is of Moroccan extraction, not Senegalese as in the movie.
As to the underlying reality of the situation, the movie provides telling insight into the French welfare system, where work isn’t rewarded so much as the semblance of looking for work. No wonder France is having such a hard time growing its economy.