Wealthy quadriplegic Philippe needs an assistant to help him with all the functions of daily life.
Immigrant, ex-con Driss needs a signature on his application to fulfill unemployment requirements.
Philippe hires Driss because the regular applicants are missing one important quality and the lives of both men are changed.
This sounds like a predictable enough plot except it is played as a sympathetic comedy. Philipe doesn't want pity. Driss has irrepressible honesty and humor that changes the dynamic of many scenes from what we expect to see. They make each other laugh. They enrich each other's lives. They broaden each other's worlds.
Omar Sy is a delight, as always. We've been enjoying him in the French series Lupin where his charm keeps coming through. Francois Cluzet is masterful in a role where all the acting must be done with voice and expressions. Both performances are nuanced.
It is based on a true story. The original Philippe turned down several movie offers until these filmmakers presented him with this comedic script. After watching the movie I can see why. There are moments of both pathos and comedy for both men. Neither is perfect and each is untouchable in his own way. It shows that no matter our handicaps, life goes on. We choose how to live it.
