Untouchable (15)

Film

Drama

Untouchable.JPG

Time Out rating:

<strong>Rating: </strong>3/5

User ratings:

<strong>Rating: </strong>4/5
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Time Out says

Tue Sep 18 2012

Culture-clash comedy blends with heart-tugging true-life drama in this French box-office hit. François Cluzet (‘Tell No One’) is Philippe, a wealthy man left paralysed from the neck down after an accident. Interviewing worthy types for the job of carer, Philippe is struck by Driss (Omar Sy), a street-smart criminal who’s merely applying in order to receive benefits. Admiring his irreverence, Philippe hires Driss and moves him into his palatial home. Bonding ensues, amid many raised eyebrows.

It’s an enjoyable, if familiar, set-up, recalling ‘Scent of a Woman’ as Driss opens Philippe’s eyes to new worlds (pot smoking, soul music), and vice versa. Both become aware of their privileges: chiefly education and an able body, respectively. There’s also a whiff of ‘The Sound of Music’ as this whirlwind brings a different kind of tune to the household, challenging the way Philippe raises his daughter. Of course, this is not a romance, but a bromance: it’s these two against a world that fails to understand either of them properly.

While ‘Untouchable’ (released in France in 2011 as ‘Intouchables’) is based on a true story, you sense a good deal of artistic licence – the original carer was an Algerian immigrant, while the film’s Driss is Senegalese. And ‘Untouchable’ leaves itself wide open to criticism of racial stereotyping. As Driss grooves around the mansion, showing the uptight white people how to dance, one is reminded more of an ’80s Hollywood comedy than a modern French one. But both characters are enormously sympathetic and you can’t deny the film’s heart is in the right place. It delivers broad laughs and tugs at the heartstrings without delving too deep – the very definition of a crowd-pleaser.

Author: Anna Smith

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Release details

Rated:

15

UK release:

Fri Sep 21 2012

Duration:

112 mins

Cast and crew

Director:

Eric Toledano, Olivier Nakache

Cast:

François Cluzet, Omar Sy, Anne Le Ny, Audrey Fleurot

Cinemas showing Untouchable

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Queen of Hoxton

Rating: 3/5

1 Curtain Road, London, EC2A 3JX Show map/details

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  • Address:

    Queen of Hoxton 1 Curtain Road
    London
    EC2A 3JX

  • Phone:

    020 7422 0958

  • Website:

    www.thequeenofhoxton.co.uk

  • Opening hours:

    Open Summer 1pm-midnight Mon-Wed, Sun; 1pm-2am Thur-Sat. Winter 5pm-midnight Mon-Wed, Sun; 5pm-2am Thur-Sat

  • Transport:

    Tube: Old Street tube/rail or Shoreditch High Street rail

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    1. Queen of Hoxton
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  • Wed May 22:

    • 21:00
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Comments & ratings

Rated as: 4/5 (12 ratings)

  • It is one of the best films I have ever seen, funny and moving. It's the first time I've seen a film with subtitles make my boyfriend laugh out loud!

    Zoe Mon Mar 18
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  • The best film I have seen, made me laugh and cry, wonderful.

    Teresa Sat Nov 3 2012
    Rated as: 5/5
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  • A life affirming film - excellent.

    Sutton Mon Oct 29 2012
    Rated as: 5/5
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  • A gem of a movie. I haven't heard an audience laugh so much since 'The Artist''. For a movie to do that and by the end touch the heart is no mean achievement. Super performances all round and very well directed. What's not to like?

    Peter Ludbrook Thu Oct 18 2012
    Rated as: 5/5
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  • I had planned to watch this movie with a friend two weeks ago, but it was sold out. I didn't give up and it was so worth it. So humane, so touching, so funny with an insight into life in the French 'suburbs' without stereotypes. Tomorrow is the last day of this film showing in London cinemas, so I would hugely recommend it.

    Maimouna Wed Oct 17 2012
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  • Yes it is trite and full of stereotype comparisions(rich/poor, black/white, health/illnesss/ and male/female) but this is not meant as a documentary and it has such a strong energy and sense of fun it makes a for a really laugh out loud movie- yes it makes you feel good but sometimes that's not a bad thing. Great fun!

    Brian Whittaker Tue Oct 16 2012
    Rated as: 4/5
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  • Hugely over rated. Sun afternoon TV stuff. Apologies to all!

    scrumpyjack Tue Oct 9 2012
    Rated as: 2/5
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  • McAvoy had screen-tested for the role early in 2006 and was inlaitliy rejected due to the studio seeking an actor that had conventional Hollywood leading-man looks and physique. The actor was later recalled, being considered the “runt of the litterâ€� of those who tested. According to McAvoy, “The Source: Wanted Trivia!

    McAvoy had screen-teste Sun Oct 7 2012
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  • This is an excellent film and deserves a higher Time Out rating than 3; I've given it 5 but to be fair 4+ would be my ideal rating. Ok some of the scenes are a little familiar but this is easily compensated by the direction, acting (particularly Omar Sy who is superb) and general feelgood factor. The opera scene was particularly funny and the paragliding sequence magical. Overall very enjoyable film; highly recommended.

    BusheyEyed Fri Oct 5 2012
    Rated as: 5/5
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  • This film celebrates life, its that simple, and unfortunately, so many of us don't these days. I'd hate to be a critic, you get paid for spotting other people's faults.Yes, if you want to be picky, the bit where Omar Sy does his dance groove thing is arguably contrived, but the film is so good, that it simply doesn't matter. I also went to see the Juliet Binoche play afterwards[at the Barb], and as brilliant as she was, this was better. I do hope its still on, I want to see it again. I'm sure some of our audience wet themselves laughing

    Rumplestiltskin Thu Oct 4 2012
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