Untouchable

★★★★

(2011)

This wonderfully acted and often very funny heart warmer of a film is also a well oiled box ticking awards machine. It's a well written, simple buddy film, tinged with previous tragedy. Untouchableis is inspired by the true story of Phillipe (François Cluzet), a rich white millionaire quadriplegic, fed up with the pitying clinical treatment he receives from his aides, who hires a young brash black man named Driss (Omar Sy) from the Parisian projects to be his live-in help. Writer/directors Olivier Nakache and Eric Toledano's film certainly isn't going to change the world but it's a brisk, tender and playful film which has already proved a seminal box office hit in it's native France and abroad with an American remake already on the cards.

Sy and Cluzet are perfectly miss-matched; Driss bringing a cheeky smile out in Phillipe with his outrageous, often angry character and Phillipe forcing Driss to come to terms with a responsibility and love of life which he, himself can no longer grasp. It's text book stuff, true, but as my old English teacher used to say, clichés are clichés for a reason. Reminiscent (in theme only) of Schnabel's masterpiece, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly but walking a little too much like Driving Miss Daisy's, Untouchable sadly never strays far off it's line, in fact, perhaps that's only downfall.

Despite its conservative air, lack of surprise and sporadic tension in the plot, there's plenty to enjoy here. There are fantastic performances from Sy and Cluzet, some genuinely funny moments, including Driss and Philipe at the Opera, Driss and Philipe requesting classical music at a party at Philipe's house and a brilliantly offensive shaving scene. Driss background is importantly prodded a little more as the pair open up to each other over the odd spliff in the films best moments but some of the sub plots dont really hit the mark; There's almost a total shunning of Philipe's relationship with his daughter and a little too much of Driss' fervent pursuit of Philipe's feisty secretary.

Even though many cynics could see it as obvious, banal heart string tugging, Untouchable does exactly what it means too, with a slick execution. Yes, it's a basic odd couple popcorn flick but it draws you in even with it's familiar plot and delivers the emotional finale expected from the start with a surprisingly good backhand down the line by Driss.