THE INTOUCHABLES
A life-affirming French comedy — for discerning adults.
Should You Watch It?
THE INTOUCHABLES is an unusually engaging and emotionally satisfying film. Its performances, music, direction, and editing all help create a charming story about friendship, dignity, and learning to embrace life.
The movie’s moral center is especially strong. It rejects euthanasia of disabled people and celebrates the value of life, while showing two very different men helping one another grow. The ending is heartfelt and uplifting.
But the R rating matters. Strong foul language, off-color comedy, and marijuana use make this unsuitable for children and young teens. Discerning adults should see it; families with younger viewers should choose something else.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESPhilippe, a wealthy paraplegic, hires Diss, an ex-con, as his physical therapist. Diss treats Philippe as an equal rather than with pity, and Philippe is amused by his outgoing attitude.
As the two men spend more time together, their working relationship becomes a genuine friendship. Diss helps Philippe enjoy life, while Philippe encourages Diss not to waste his own.
Is It Any Good?
Four stars means this is a highly engaging and entertaining film with outstanding emotional appeal. The performances by Francois Cluzet and Omar Sy are completely captivating, and the relationship between their characters carries the movie.
The editing, direction, and music are equally engaging. The film can move viewers from laughter to tears as Philippe and Diss discover the value of their unusual friendship. Its uplifting ending gives the story a satisfying emotional finish.
The Worldview
THE INTOUCHABLES strongly celebrates life, friendship, and helping others. It presents Philippe’s disability without treating his life as worthless or hopeless, and it gives him a friend who encourages him to experience joy more fully.
The film’s clearest moral stand is its rejection of euthanasia for disabled people. It also contains some redemptive content, as Philippe and Diss challenge one another to grow and make better use of their lives. The hymn “Ave Maria” is heard near the beginning.
The worldview is not without complications. The source identifies Romantic elements and notes that one female character turns out to be a lesbian. These elements sit alongside the film’s otherwise strong affirmation of life and friendship.
The film’s central longing is to live fully and recognize the value of every person. Jesus says, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
Strong moral worldview celebrating life, friendship, and helping others, and rejecting euthanasia, with some redemptive content, including the hymn “Ave Maria” is heard near the beginning, mitigated by some Romantic elements, plus one female character turns out to be a lesbian; about 53 mostly strong obscenities (including about 12 or so “f” words, many “s” words, some “h” words), one or two GDs; light violence includes policeman roughly shoves speeding driver onto hood of car; some sexual innuendo includes men hire massage therapists in one scene, woman rubs paraplegic man’s ears, man tries to flirt with woman, and brief homosexual content in one scene that becomes a joke; upper male nudity; alcohol use; smoking, man smokes marijuana alone and with friends, and man smokes marijuana with paraplegic patient he’s helping; and, man’s younger half-brother appears to be involved some way with some street thugs, man steals a Faberge Egg but eventually returns it, and men in speeding car try to evade police and then lie about it.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
The film celebrates life despite disability. How does Scripture describe the dignity and worth of every person?
Genesis 1:27 · Psalm 139:13–16Philippe and Diss help one another grow. What does faithful friendship look like when someone needs encouragement or practical help?
Proverbs 27:17 · Galatians 6:2The film rejects euthanasia and affirms life. How can Christians offer compassion to people who are suffering without treating their lives as less valuable?
Romans 12:15 · 1 Corinthians 12:22–26Diss is encouraged not to waste his life. What gifts or opportunities might God be asking you to use more faithfully?
Ephesians 2:10 · Colossians 3:23–24The Final Word
THE INTOUCHABLES is a beautifully performed, emotionally satisfying celebration of life and friendship. Its strong moral message is worth hearing, but its language and mature content rule it out for children and young teens. For discerning adults, the answer is WORTH THE TRIP — ADULTS ONLY. For younger viewers, begin with.
