If you're noticing an uptick in depressing/Awards movies, it's because I'm hitting a pocket of them in my queue. They all seem to clump together like wet spaghetti. I'm sure I'll be back to my nonsensical picks any time now.Phillippe (François Cluzet), a rich quadriplegic, is tired of all the pity from his caretakers so he hires Driss (Omar Sy), an ex-con with no experience, to be his companion and the pair form an unlikely friendship.
This is based on a true story and, for being awards bait, it's a pretty entertaining film. So much so that an American remake called The Upside with Bryan Cranston and Kevin Hart was made earlier this year.
Omar Sy is ridiculously charismatic even as he leans heavily into the stereotypes that define this film. (Driss basically stalks Phillippe's assistant, Magalie (Audrey Fleurot), despite her repeated refusals, which is gross.) Cluzet does a very good job of emoting, considering that he's not allowed to move more than his eyebrows and mouth. The story is heavily invested in his emotional journey but it feels like a lot is conveyed through exposition and not through the film itself. The daughter, Elisa (Alba Gaïa Bellugi), is kind of a throwaway character and I would almost rather she not have been included at all if her entire purpose is to be a bitch to Driss and then come around after he makes fun of her for a failed suicide attempt.
So it's not without its problems but it's still a pretty decent watch if you want a feel-good foreign film that you don't have to think about very hard.
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