THE INTOUCHABLES
This true-story comedy drama, about a rich white man whose dreary world after being paralyzed is turned upside down when he hires a poor Black man with a lot of spunk, is “a stirring and thoughtful . . . tribute to the strength of the human spirit,” critic Mike Scott writes in The (New Orleans) Times-Picayune.
“Exuberantly charming,” Claudia Puig writes in USA Today.
“I defy anyone not to be delighted,” writes Chris Hewitt in the St. Paul (Minn.) Pioneer Press.
The French film, which earned 38 critic and festival awards, including the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding International Motion Picture, is based on the true story of Philippe (François Cluzet), a wealthy Parisian paralyzed from the neck down in a paragliding accident.
He has since had caregivers, but none has worked out. So now he’s looking again.
While interviewing one unsatisfactory candidate after another, Philippe sees a man suddenly come into the room.
The man, Driss (Omar Sy), hands a sheet of paper to Phillipe and asks him to sign it. It’s from the unemployment office. Driss says he wants Phillipe to sign it so that Driss, a Senegalese immigrant on parole for robbery, can prove he’s looking for work to qualify for unemployment benefits.
Philippe is taken aback but intrigued by Driss’ irreverent spirit.
He then surprises Driss and his own household staff by offering the job to him, complete with room and board in Philippe’s mansion.
When Driss moves in, his relationship with Philippe is just as a caregiver. But it soon builds into a warm, exciting friendship that enriches both men’s lives.
The 2011 film, in French with English subtitles, runs 1 hour 52 minutes and is rated R. Its trailer can be found on YouTube at tinyurl.com/Intouchables-MoviesWSpirit.
The screening, supported by a gift from Friends of the Kingston Library, will be followed by a discussion. Refreshments will be served.
Attendees over age 12 are asked to contribute $10 a person.
Movies With Spirit screenings comply with all federal, state and local health and safety protocols, including those of the screening venues.
The monthly Movies With Spirit series, organized by Gerry Harrington of Kingston, seeks to stimulate joy and wonder, inspire love and compassion, and help people understand their connection with others and with life itself. It supports all cultures, faiths and beliefs while transcending them.
The films are shown in diverse places of worship and reverence and one library across Ulster and Dutchess counties at 7 p.m., usually on the third Saturday of every month. Movies With Spirit has no religious affiliation.
For more information about the “The Intouchables” screening and the rest of the series, call Harrington at 845-389-9201 or write to him at gerryharrington@mindspring.com.
