Concept: An African-French down-on-his-luck man ends up care-taking a wealthy, irascible quadriplegic while going on an employment search to fulfill his public assistance requirements.

• An excellent “feel-good” movie that’s easy to overlook, being that it’s French, independently-made, and ten years old. The story concept appears to be a very predictable one, and it is. But it’s the performances and the characterizations that the two principal actors bring that make this move standout.
• The African-French actor, Omar Sy, became more well known after this movie, and especially after the recent Netflix series “Lupin,” in which he stars.
• The movie is funny, moving, and real, avoiding sentimentality. And it’s a joy to watch these two great actors play off each other and really inhabit their characters.
• Remade into a forgettable U.S. movie called “The Upside.”
• Based on a true story.
• French with English sub-titles.
• Not for kids
• I saw this movie on a tiny in-flight entertainment screen, maybe 5 inches diagonal. It proves my theory that if a movie is really good, it doesn’t matter how you watch it—on your phone, on a big projection screen, on your TV. If it’s good, it will immerse you regardless.

The Intouchables (2011) 85%