English Fundamentals Assignment

 

Title of Text 
The Intouchables
 Composer
Olivier Nakache and Éric Toledano
 Subject matter
The film 'The Intouchables' describes the relationship of a rich paraplegic (Philippe) with his new carer who has just been freed from jail (Driss). Driss is very poor and unemployed and only goes to the job interview to become a carer to get unemployment benefit. Philippe hires Driss and both create the most improbable friendship.
 Journey
Throughout the film, two types of journey are shown: inner and physical journeys. The main type of journey that Philippe experiences is, the physical journey, Phillipe who is a paraplegic faces many challenges and obstacles due to his physical condition, however he tries to overcome those challenges and obstacles with the help of a new carer who's name is Driss. Driss also faces a type of journey which is the inner journey, Driss is still yet to find who he is, his attitude towards

Phillipe changes, Driss becomes more like Philippe and Philippe becomes more like Driss.

"My true disability is not having to be in a wheel chair. It's having to be without her.​" 

Philippe's physical journey consisted of very hard obstacles, (Paraplegic)

"Don’t wait for things to get easier, simpler, better. Life will always be complicated.’ Learn to be happy right now. Otherwise, you’ll run out of time."

Driss's journey consisted of poverty and just being released from jail did not help his situation.

Emotions
The composers' idea of journey is represented throughout the film by creating an improbable friendship between two people with very different social levels and very different views in life. Emotions are expressed throughout this film, love is shown towards the two protagonists Philippe and Driss. The predominant emotion shown throughout the text is happiness and love, the bond between Philippe and Driss is strong. In the film Driss left Philippe for a little while, you could tell Philippe was not happy as he did not shave and went through a phase of depression.
Obstacles
Philippe is physically disabled (paraplegic) and consistently needs help.
Driss is not accepted by society and is always rejected by people on the streets. 

"My true disability is not having to be in a wheel chair. It's having to be without her.​" 

Both Philippe and Driss work together to overcome their obstacles.

Rewards
At the start of the film Driss doesn't appreciate the values and goods of life much but throughout the journey, with his new companion, he starts to be influenced by a new social level which leads him to a better understanding of life's purpose and starts appreciating things such as Art and Literacy. Driss paints his own painting; learns grammar and other literary techniques with Phillip.

"Don’t give up. Never give up until the fight is over." Driss's development from a man who didnt care what people thought about him, to a full developed gentlemen, taking Philippe as an influence.

Techniques
Medium Close-up Shot: This technique is used to show the detail, emotion and thought that is taking place on the actors face. This technique makes the audience feel as if they are experiencing the moment and as they are expressing emotion. In the beginning of this scene Driss is very resistant when it comes to go paragliding, until he realises that he needed to be there for Philippe. At this moment he is frightened, the camera comes quite close to his face and he gets over his  fear and jumps off the cliff.  

 

 

 

 

Extreme Wide Shot: This technique is used to inform the audience about the characters

location and the activities that they are participating in. 

Philippe and Driss enjoyed doing fun activities together; this activity had a very deep meaning to Philippe. A paragliding accident is the reason Philippe is a paraplegic. This shot gives a meaning which is that anyone of any race, size, social or physical state can make the most of life.  This wide shot in this scene produces very strong emotion such as happiness and serenity.

 

 

 

 

Low Angle Shot: This technique was used to capture the experience and action that was happening. When the characters are looking down on us, the low angle shot expresses that Driss has power, as he is looking down at us. It highlights the important emotions in this scene. This scene expresses to the audience Driss's experience of trying something new and makes the audience partake in his emotions.