ViewGuide

Created Sep 30, 2012 10:05AM PST • Edited Jul 20, 2013 11:41AM PST

1. Quality

2. 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.

4. 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.

5. Male Stars Very Good 3.5

6. Female Stars Very Good 3.5

7. Female Costars Very Good 3.5

8. Male Costars Very Good 3.5

10. Film

    OK 2.5

11. Direction OK 2.5

12. Play Barely OK 2.0

13. Music Very Good 3.5

14. Visuals Good 3.0
15. Content

16. Edge

    Risqué 1.6

17. Sex Titillating 1.6

18. Violence Gentle 1.3

19. Rudeness Salty 1.9

21. 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.

22. Circumstantial Glib 1.4

23. Biological Natural 1.0

24. Physical Natural 1.0