In case any of you were worried, I wasn't on a hiatus or anything......just lack of material to share with you. No travel as of late (miserable, I know), no movies in the past week-and-a-half, and no chance to hit up an area ethnic restaurant (though I did find out a Thai restaurant has recently opened up in downtown Utica). Throw on top of all that Central New York's dip into cold, dark, depressing winter weather, and, yep, you've got FC in a total funk.
What better way to pick up the spirits around here than watch "The Intouchables", the uplifting drama/comedy that is France's official submission to the next Academy Awards? Well, there are probably several other better methods (a nice trip to somewhere in Southeast Asia is a top choice), but this wasn't a bad back-up.
For the uninformed, I'm somewhat known for my penchant for dark/heavy/depressing films (see: Biutiful, Babel, Children of Men, etc), so "The Intouchables" is a bit of a departure for me. But I'm glad I went for a change of type, because it is a very good film.
"The Intouchables", based upon true events, is the story of Phillipe (played by Francois Cluzet), a middle-aged, Paris-based Plutocrat, who is also confined to a wheelchair, paralyzed from the neck down after a hang-gliding accident, and his unlikely round-the-clock assistant, Driss (Omar Sy-my first time ever watching him, but he is a very entertaining actor). The film begins with Phillipe interviewing suitors in his palatial mansion for the trying task of being his 24-hour caretaker. Driss, an immigrant from Senegal living in Paris' infamously rough suburbs, shows up for the interview solely to obtain a signature, evidence that he has tried and failed at obtaining a job, so he can claim welfare. Phillipe refuses to do so, and goads him to try and do the work. Driss takes the challenge, and the story sets off from there.
Now, that all sounds like a very cliche story-line, and in some sense it is, but there is something about "The Intouchables" that makes it unique, and worth watching. At least in this instance, there is no "angry, life-hating millionaire and the humble but insightful servant" set-up. Rather, this time around, the rich person's caregiver initially isn't even interested in taking the job. It is simply a story of friendship, and how two individuals from radically different levels of the social ladder can form a bond. There is lots of good humor in it, I believe it is a comedy at heart, and includes some real laugh-out-loud moments. I though both of the main actors were great in their roles, and the supporting cast isn't too shabby either. It touches on serious subjects as well, primarily the living conditions of those on the periphery of French society. Overall though it's a captivating movie in its own way, and I found myself wanting it not to end. Do be warned though, it could jerk a few tears from those with weaker constitutions.
Verdict: See it. Grade: A
If you liked this movie you might also like: "Driving Miss Daisy" sounds an obvious choice.
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4O1VAAezxg
Screenshots:
What better way to pick up the spirits around here than watch "The Intouchables", the uplifting drama/comedy that is France's official submission to the next Academy Awards? Well, there are probably several other better methods (a nice trip to somewhere in Southeast Asia is a top choice), but this wasn't a bad back-up.
For the uninformed, I'm somewhat known for my penchant for dark/heavy/depressing films (see: Biutiful, Babel, Children of Men, etc), so "The Intouchables" is a bit of a departure for me. But I'm glad I went for a change of type, because it is a very good film.
"The Intouchables", based upon true events, is the story of Phillipe (played by Francois Cluzet), a middle-aged, Paris-based Plutocrat, who is also confined to a wheelchair, paralyzed from the neck down after a hang-gliding accident, and his unlikely round-the-clock assistant, Driss (Omar Sy-my first time ever watching him, but he is a very entertaining actor). The film begins with Phillipe interviewing suitors in his palatial mansion for the trying task of being his 24-hour caretaker. Driss, an immigrant from Senegal living in Paris' infamously rough suburbs, shows up for the interview solely to obtain a signature, evidence that he has tried and failed at obtaining a job, so he can claim welfare. Phillipe refuses to do so, and goads him to try and do the work. Driss takes the challenge, and the story sets off from there.
Now, that all sounds like a very cliche story-line, and in some sense it is, but there is something about "The Intouchables" that makes it unique, and worth watching. At least in this instance, there is no "angry, life-hating millionaire and the humble but insightful servant" set-up. Rather, this time around, the rich person's caregiver initially isn't even interested in taking the job. It is simply a story of friendship, and how two individuals from radically different levels of the social ladder can form a bond. There is lots of good humor in it, I believe it is a comedy at heart, and includes some real laugh-out-loud moments. I though both of the main actors were great in their roles, and the supporting cast isn't too shabby either. It touches on serious subjects as well, primarily the living conditions of those on the periphery of French society. Overall though it's a captivating movie in its own way, and I found myself wanting it not to end. Do be warned though, it could jerk a few tears from those with weaker constitutions.
Verdict: See it. Grade: A
If you liked this movie you might also like: "Driving Miss Daisy" sounds an obvious choice.
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4O1VAAezxg
Screenshots:
Driss failing at feeding.
Trying to understand art.
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