The Intouchables

A new film that: 1) doesn't come from the UK or the US; 2) it still made it into Czech cinemas; 3) it doesn't have a single flaw? That hasn't happened in a long time. I mean... At least since The Artist. So cheers to France again! You just don't see something so beautiful on the big screen. "Do you know where you can find a quadriplegic?" - "I don't know." - "Where you left him." (11/03/2012)

An excellent, superbly dramatic, and well-crafted film about real life among paraplegics and similarly disabled individuals. Philippe belongs to that fraction of the population who can afford to live in a castle with plenty of staff, and in such an environment, paralysis is much more bearable than languishing in an institution with burnt-out staff who make it abundantly clear how much your mere physical existence irritates them, and who keep you perpetually in a state of miserable survival. However, such a truthful film would not offer so much heartwarming humor, interesting situations, and appealing characters. The mutual chemistry between caregiver Driss, a black plebeian from the outskirts, and the aristocratic upper-class Philippe is simply perfect and fully functional. The film not only explores the development of a great friendship but also interestingly tackles the clash of different cultures, social classes, and the eternal conflict between the so-called high elite culture and the popular culture of the masses. The Intouchables excellently fulfills both genres it represents. You laugh at these characters and at the same time, you are afraid for them. There is one thing more I need to criticize - the film's epilogue is unnecessarily literal, and here, I would have left a more or less open ending and room for the viewer's imagination. Overall impression: 90%. (06/13/2012)

A pleasant dramatic comedy with likeable protagonists that here and there delivers some dark and incorrect jokes, but that in the end is nothing but your typical feel-good fairytale with a humanistic message, or a film that is in no way exceptional. And that’s why it has received so much attention, because its exceptionality cannot piss anyone off. It's just so generally likeable. 7/10 (03/09/2012)

I have no hesitation in giving this all five stars, even if it is a purpose-made product, full of cliché and the right type of humanity. It flows past pleasantly, always something happening, and even above average in terms of acting. The customary French tempo has left the handbrake on, so in fact it rolls on just right for us to be able to appreciate the millionaire’s attributes... The Maserati, the great bath tub. I agree that sooner than later we’ll see an American remake. (04/05/2012)

The best French film I've ever seen (though admittedly I haven't seen many of them). Comedy and drama in one, each component properly balanced. At the end of the film I was completely satisfied, happy, and moved. I saw the film without knowing what I was getting into, without looking at the ratings on FilmBooster, so I was very surprised to find it so well rated. A nice non-exploitative human drama with all the aspects of humanity that only these two can have. P.S.: I almost peed myself laughing at the beard shaving. (04/02/2012)