PARIS When it was released last month, "Intouchables" seemed an unremarkable, lowbrow French comedy, a small-budget film with actors little known outside France hamming it up . What does it indeed mean to have a full life? These questions represent a few contemplative moments that will likely arise for viewers while watching this movie. Do you notice a difference when Driss and Philippe speak? Philippe, (played by French actor Franois Cluzet) sustained a cervical spinal cord injury, resulting in immobility of his arms and legs at the age of 42. The chair-bound and fastidious Philippe (Franois Cluzet) requires a high level of personal care. Adama est le frre/cousin de Driss qui est impliqu avec les trafiquants de drogues. In the period of hope the child manifests an antisocial tendency. Filmed in Paris, France, Franois Cluzet plays Philippe This scene does not depict the ultraviolence of Stanley Kubrick's A Clockwork Orange; rather, it portrays a child's amazement at something never imagined. A casually dressed and impatient black man amid a dozen seated white guys in suits, he is intolerant of the process. Nor is it simply a matter of opposites attracting or adapting, a staple of buddy situations since Neil Simon's The Odd Couple. But advertising revenue helps support our journalism. His facial expressions are very minimal, and he is unable to use space to his advantage. Writer's Surname 1 Student's Name: Course: Instructor: Date: Critical Analysis of "The Intouchables" Introduction "The Intouchables" is a drama film, made by the French production house. It was set in the prohibition era, which was right at the start of the 1920's. Prohibition can be described as a law that made selling and manufacturing alcohol illegal. The film The Intouchables relays a timely tale of harmonious connection and mutual respect between two individuals, who come from very different social spheres. No dice. The concert is a total bore. Unable to avoid a police stop, Driss bets his paralyzed passenger that he (Driss) can talk his way out of it; Philippe fakes a seizure, slobbering on his beard. The Intouchables" is based on a true story about Philippe Pozzo DI Borgo and Abdel Sellou. Philippe dismisses the flustered aide, but Yvonne summons Driss. The Driss character is based on Abdel Sellou, an Algerian, who wrote a memoir of his own, prefaced by Pozzo di Borgo.3 The desolation and dreariness of Driss's urban ghetto stands in jarring contrast to the wealth and sophistication of Philippe's world. 7, p 308, italics in original). Since Philippe was paralyzed from the neck down from a paragliding accident, you cant help but feel the terror and the ultimate thrill of their bond when they share the risk of paragliding to Nina Simones Feeling Good.. When she sheepishly comes back with the figure of 41,500, Philippe instantly says, I'll take it. We soon see Driss, easel and canvas in his room, small paint roller in his hand, creating some smudges of his own. Here, he shows less contempt and more empathy, sensing that Philippe has potential. Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law Online, Quad Productions, Chaocorp, Gaumont, and TF1 Films Production, Original French title Intouchables [The Untouchables], first released on November 2, 2011 in Belgium, A Second Wind. They were together for 10 years. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); The Journal for the Humanities in Rehabilitation is a peer reviewed, multi-media journal using a collaborative model with rehabilitation professionals, patients and their families to gain a greater understanding of the human experience of disability through art, literature and narrative. Grows as an individual and stops caring about what others think of him, He refuses to be seen in the silver "van" to drive Philipe around, but by the end of the film, doesn't care about being seen driving it in his area. We vonden het beide interessant om jullie blog te beoordelen omdat wij allebei de film allebei hebben gezien. Disclosures of financial or other potential conflicts of interest: None. After seeing this movie many times, I am not surprised by the prestigious reputation the screenplay has earned. Sparing no amount of charm, he is persistent with her, even at the end when she reveals her same-sex preference. The films, 'The Butler' and 'The Intouchables' are representations of the ordeals that African American's were forced to go through in the past years and the implications of such experiences to the current production of films. Media has a significant impact on shaping our beliefs and promoting discussions around critical social issues. The Journal of Humanities in Rehabilitationoffers a mailing list with periodic updates about new articles. Driss, a candidate, has no ambitions to get hired. Don't miss out on the latest in narrative theory and storytelling with artificial intelligence. Designed by BluChic. Philippes upper-class milieu seems to take everything in stridesuspicious at first because a black man from the streets given full reign in a mansion filled with treasures is a worrisome thing. His guardian angel had been his wife, Batrice, who died after a long illness three years after his accident. These costume choicesshow the difference between the two main characters, and further distances the two who happen to become best friends. He hires Driss, a Senegalese immigrant, as his caregiver after taking a liking to his boisterous spirit and nonchalance towards his disability. 3 thoughts on " Film analyse 'Intouchables' (Jade Hoogerwerf en Jessica Schuurmans) " cheriseromy September 25, 2014 at 6:28 pm. Copyright Get Revising 2023 all rights reserved. Each is incredibly lonely, with lives full of constraints. He arrives in France after having been given up by his parents to his childless aunt and uncle who eventually had their own children. character analysis of Driss from intouchables. Still, attempts at treatment continue,11 though it is too early to consider antisocial behavior treatable.12 While we would not want to see the determination of offenders' dispositions entirely relegated to psychometrics or neuroimaging, there may be ways to assign differential therapeutics based on biological subtypes.13 This antidote would be a welcome one to the traditional one-size-fits-all mentality of public policy makers.12. In another step toward redemption, Driss intervenes when Philippe needs guidance on how to set limits with his teenaged daughter. Thus, Driss's importance in healing Philippe cannot be overestimated. The Intouchables ranks as the second most successful French film of all time (second to 2008 film Welcome to the Sticks)1. Viewers might scorn at Driss attitude towards Philippes disability, but it reflects Driss innocence, a precursor to a heartfelt friendship. The directors changed the nationality of the character in the story in order to be able to cast Omar. How Driss dealt with his troubled younger brother and Philippe's petulant teenage daughter shows his appreciation of rules and limits in behavior. Their bond slowly nurtures into an affable [] Those of us who educate courts need to distinguish behavioral types from the bottom upthat is, by appreciating the total arc of a person's life rather than settling for a snapshot. Its the kind of feel-good movie that turns up as rarely as a winning lottery ticket. Who changes the most? This sub-section is particularly useful for the AS exam questions, which focus on character analysis. In return, Driss was able to see Philippe for the person he was. 2, p 105]. In this story both characters are losers and winners or aren't they? Rather, acknowledges it and decides to be a part of it. The fact that the real-life Philippe Pozzo di Borgo and Abdel Sellou are still close friends exemplifies that any relationship can last long if dealt with innocence and kindness. The first thing he does is steal a priceless Faberg egg that belonged to Philippes beloved late wife. Unfortunately, he has quadriplegia- he is paralyzed in both pairs of his limbs and is wheelchair-bound. Lives in a rough area of Paris. Philippe is a quadriplegic as a result of a paragliding accident at the age of 42. Powered by WordPress. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. [Ref. By his antisocial surface behaviors, by more of a core deficit of the dissocial personality5 or the classic psychopath,6 or by his offbeat empathic use of the self and intuitive prosocial agency of change? It has warmth, humor and an understated sweetness that is not to be taken for granted. Hes rude and arrogant, with his own blunt brand of pragmatism and logic. Magalie has his number, suggesting at times that she could be seduced, only to laugh at him with his pants down. It is at this time that I am particularly rejuvenated by watching a poignant film which suggests that a meaningful connection between two people coming from very different worlds is not out of reach. Actors Omar Sy (above) and Franois Cluzet (below) play best friends in the French film The Intouchables. Frank S. Blanton, Jr., MD Scholarship Fund, Call for Papers and Instructions to Submit, , Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, We are looking for positives here: Seeking Intersections of Pain, Grief and Disability, From Surviving to Flourishing: Using Narrative as a Tool for Patient-Centered Care, Getting to the Heart of the Patient-Provider Interaction: A Novel Theoretical Framework. The antisocial tendency may be found in a normal individual, or in one that is neurotic or psychotic (Ref. It has earned superior status and recognition as the most successful French film in many regions of the world such as Denmark, South Korea, Columbia, Peru, and New Zealand. We track their getaway much later in the film. Copyright The Intouchables 2023. Driss's world is full of unstable relationships. Air Review: Ben Afflecks Overeager Love Song to Nike Succeeds More Than It Doesnt, John Wick: Chapter 4 Review: Bloody, Beautiful, Bulletproof, Jonathan Frakes On His Journey From Star Trek Actor To Director, The Lost King Review: A Housewife Turned Researcher Revises History. This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions. The Intouchables might be criticized for its sentimentality and rose-colored optimism.10 The basic premises of hope and adaptation through an affirming relationship can sound hollow or corny and could lead to keeping bad people on the streets. In my experience, it has led some of my students to ask introspective questions such as: If I lost all/most of my physical capabilities, could I still be happy/content? It positions them to take a moral inventory of their professional goals; identifying a purpose behind their practice. Patrick Juvet, a Blond artist. However, the provocative nature of these scenes are overshadowed by the recognition of the audience that Phillipe is grateful for genuine human interaction; one not clouded with excessive pity and discomfort with his physical impairments. In return, Driss became the best caregiver he ever had. It is this sort of clinical data that psychiatry can offer the justice system, rather than a label or a number. Phillipe, refreshed and intrigued by Drisss ingenuous behavior, convinces Driss to come and work for him despite his lack of experience, or desire, to be his caregiver. Omar Sy plays Driss Apparently, he has been hired. We were too. Here are the details. Based on a true story, Intouchables tells how a millionaire left quadriplegic after an accident - played French arthouse cinema star, Francois Cluzet - hires the unlikely home-help, Driss, who . Then when the cops leave, they drive away, pleased with their mischief. All the while, Driss stands by making crude jokes, and yet is still able to provide just the correct amount of nudging encouragement for Philippe to go out and live his life again. Eric Toledano. Driss knows that Philippes reluctance to meet Eleonore stems from his insecurities and decides to finish his incomplete quest. Although it is not explicit, he probably uses it to help his little brother out of some trouble, one of the steps he takes toward redemption. Just as Philippe did, Driss also took a leap of faith. Cluzet's character, Philippe, is an aristocratic zillionaire who lives in an astonishingly luxurious flat in central Paris. Driss later finds out that Philippe has a pen-pal named Eleonore residing in Dunkirk. This apparently is not what Philippe wanted: an acknowledgment of his loneliness and a warm human connection, which he finds in Driss, unaccountably to us at first. Philippe is a rich aristocrat who lives in a luxurious mansion somewhere in one of the most affluent neighborhoods in Paris. The main characters are Philippe, the rich man who is also quadriplegic, and his live-in caregiver Driss, a young man of African origin from the poor district of the city. Seeing that Driss doesn't appreciate the music, Philippe orders the orchestra to play in various styles. For obvious reasons, Mr. Sy has all of the movement and action, and hes a lively, colorful counterpart, but the wheelchair-bound Mr. Cluzet is the revelation. As someone who comes from the banlieues, one just has to keep moving forward no matter and Philippe puts himself on that path. Social injustice. Where possible, one might forget types altogether and focus on individuals, not on their diagnoses. All ofthe other candidates for the job saw Philippe as a charity case or a resume booster for them, but Driss saw Philippe as man who just needed a friend. Written and directed by Eric Toledano and Olivier Nakache, its the factual story of an unconventional relationship between a millionaire quadriplegic from the ritziest neighborhood in Paris and his Senegalese caregiver from the ghettoa bond that begins as a working one but builds, through trust and care and shared experiences, into a lasting friendship that changes two unhappy lives forever. So low of a status that higher ups won't touch them. Driss, on the other hand, learns from Philippe to look after the people he cares about the most, his family and friends. The interview scene, where Philippe and his assistant talk to potential caregivers, is quite telling. In the middle of the night, he hears Philippe in distress and finds him in an agitated state. More than a caregiver, Philippe searches for a new relationship that can alleviate his mental sufferings. When Philippe shows interest, against Driss's urgings, the gallery worker checks the price. The daily manifestations of washing, changing, massaging, shaving, cleaning, spoon-feeding and lifting a paralyzed patient are so daunting that Philippe Pozzo di Borgo (played with heartbreaking patience and moment-to-moment honesty by the great French actor Francois Cluzet) is always interviewing new job applicants. Philippe has a chamber music concert in his home to celebrate his birthday, but his daughter stays in bed, feeling the effects of an overdose of Imodium and Tylenol after a tiff with her boyfriend. Two entirely different cultures clash and show that not one is better than the other. Powered by WordPress. Humiliation and misfortune has no prejudice and with that similarity, the two men unite under one roof to see life in other light beyond the darkness they have been living in. But Driss wins over every white man in sight, especially when he shows off his hip-hop skills, and before it ends, he has total control of the house and everyone in it. When he can wait no longer he barges into the interview room, brashly slapping the paper onto a desk. It lacks that meaningful purpose. Your email address will not be published. The film is brimming with light-hearted adventure and humorous interactions between Philippe and Driss. Intouchable or untouchable means above the law, or it can mean the opposite and people who have a very low social status. She is passionate about promoting humanities practices and student self- reflection around the lived experiences of individuals in marginalized populations, social justice, and rehabilitation ethics. Click the card to flip . Decent Essays. character analysis of Driss from intouchables. Audrey Fleurot plays Magalie, Edited by Dorian Rigal-Ansous As someone who had no experience in caring for a handicapped person, Driss accepted a scary and unfamiliar job because of the lavish lifestyle it promised him. Click the card to flip . The house staff, including the redhead Magalie and Philippe's majordomo Yvonne (Anne Le Ny), is wary but largely amused by Driss's insouciance. His connection to Philippe is warm, genuine, and (almost) nonexploitative. After decades and decades of films dedicated to simply exploring the Main Character and Objective Story Throughlines, the pendulum has swung too far to the other side. Would he score enough points on a gold-standard inventory to receive the bacio di morte, a label of antisocial personality disorder or psychopathy? During Driss' "interview" for the job, he walked in without taking a seat and asked Philippe to sign his paper (proving that he tried to get a job three times, but was unable to, and therefore needed government benefits.) Even his family gives up on him. We decided to look further into the films conjunction with the real-life story and read between its nuances. But they show the misfortune in both lives. Philippe acknowledges that Driss has matters of his own to sort out. Although these two seem like an unlikely match, their relationship grows after Driss becomes Philippe's primary caretaker. This phenomenon was previously described as a whole-body phantom pain attack. Driss steals from Philippe, assaults his neighbor, and subjects his secretary to a series of juvenile come-ons. For this film, I think it has many meanings. The most critical event in Driss's slow metamorphosis from a lost young offender to a responsible, hopeful adult is the establishment of a trusting relationship with Philippe. Both characters were equally important in their relationship, and their actions towards one another helped the audience understand how two completely different people could become so close. Driss can be seen wearing all black and baggy clothes. To keep cool, the hippopotamus _____ in the mud. Pleasantly surprised, Philippe lets him go this time out of love and not the compulsion of circumstances like before. a. Released in 2011 Drisss flamboyant nature and his indifference towards Philippes condition offer Philippe a vibrant social interaction.