Intouchables (2012)

This is a feel good movie from start to finish.  It has elements of Pygmalion.  It has some rags to riches components.  It is wise and funny and while much of the plot is predictable, the performances of the two main actors is so sweet that we forgive that.  And it has a basis in a true story, and we always like to see happy endings that have some basis in reality.

Philippe (Francois Cuzet) is a millionaire who was is a quadriplegic secondary to a para-gliding accident. Driss (Omar Sy) is a man out on parole for robbery, who applies for the job of Philippe's caregiver only so he can be rejected and get a signature on his application for unemployment benefits. As Philippe interviews one boring job applicant after another, many with ample caregiving experience but very little in the way of life experience, it becomes clear that Phillppe needs not only physical help but friendship and companionship. When you cannot perform any of your activities of daily living, the person who is doing them for you is someone you not only rely on for your very existence but also the person you spend the day with.  Driss' elan and irreverence is refreshing, and Philippe astonishes him and his own household staff by offering Driss the job.

So these are two men separated by almost everything: education, culture, money, you name it.  Phillippe has retained a sense of humor and Driss has retained his sense that he knows what the good life is--and that while money matters, there is a whole lot available out there that is free.  Good music, dancing, walking outdoors, sex, a little bit of marijuana--okay all of that is not free, but it doesn't cost the earth and you don't need to live in opulence to have access to it--Phillippe is afraid to take chance and Driss can't resist them.  Phillipe offers Driss a chance at a better life, and Driss offers Phillippe a way to re-engage with the world.  Which works for both of them.  It is not a deep movie, but it is a lot of fun to watch.