The Intouchables The movie “The Intouchables” (first released on November 2, 2011 in Belgium and directed by Olivier Nakache and Eric Toledano) is the factual story of an unconventional relationship between a millionaire quadriplegic from the ritziest neighborhood in Paris and his Senegalese caregiver from the ghetto—a 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.
In Paris, the upper-class and academic Philippe (François Cluzet) is a quadriplegic millionaire that is interviewing candidates for the position of his caretaker. Out of the blue, Driss (Omar Sy) cuts the line of candidates and brings a document from the Social Security and asks Philippe to sign it to prove that he is seeking a job position to receive his unemployment insurance. Philippe challenges Driss and offers a period of adaptation of one week to him to gain experience helping him. Then Driss would decide whether he would like to stay with him or not. Driss accepts the bet and moves to the mansion, changing the boring life of Philippe and his employees. The two develop a remarkable friendship. Driss is a poor black man from the French ghettos in Paris, the Banlieux. Philippe is a very rich, quadriplegic man fond of classical music and art.

This film has humor, sadness, and ultimately great inspiration. The film’s credibility is boosted by it being based on a true story. It is the story of friendship that goes beyond race or class.
The man in the chair becomes a muse and means of escape, an emotional and spiritual home for a foreigner who instantly resumes the role of immigrant once he steps back beyond the threshold of Cluzet’s luxurious apartment and back onto the streets of Paris.
The two men desperately need each other, in completely different ways.
The theme of “difference”