Ziemlich beste Freunde

A pleasant dramatic comedy with likeable protagonists that here and there delivers some dark and incorrect jokes, but that in the end is nothing but your typical feel-good fairytale with a humanistic message, or a film that is in no way exceptional. And that’s why it has received so much attention, because its exceptionality cannot piss anyone off. It's just so generally likeable. 7/10 (09.03.2012)

This is one of the series of nice and positive movies that doesn’t follow the templates and negative atmosphere of contemporary movies but that tells a true story that you will keep taking with a pinch of salt, all the while knowing that the movie is really close to the truth. It was really a pleasure to watch this film, both actors put in really excellent performances. Omar Sy was maybe slightly better. His acting reminded me of a 1980’s Eddie Murphy. It was great, finally a movie that I will watch every time I get the chance and I will know that I won’t easily be bored with it. It came out of the blue and it immediately hit me right in the feels. I tip my hat off. (08.03.2013)

Ein schwarzer Engel in einem bürgerlichen Anwesen. In Amerika bringen schwarzafrikanische Kindermädchen bürgerlichen Kindern bei, wie man emotionale Vollwertigkeit erreicht, in Großbritannien predigt ein jemenitischer Scheich depressiven Helden über den Sinn des Lebens, und in Frankreich ist wiederum ein senegalesischer Riese, der einem quadruplegischen Millionär die Lust an allem wieder einflöst, indem er das idyllische Ambiente der Stinkreichen zu einer Soft-Version eines Pariser Vororts umwandelt (dabei jedoch selbst von der Schönheit der "hohen Kunst“ assimiliert wird). Wenn das hier kein Midcult-Gemache mit allen Schikanen ist, bin ich ein beinloser Satyr. Die Ziemlich Besten Freunde haben mit jenen beiden Filmen auch gemeinsam, dass sie von der Gürtellinie abwärts gelähmt sind (einschließlich des Herzens und der Hoden), aber dennoch denken sie gut genug, damit man ihnen nicht beleidigend entgegnet. Das ganze ist fröhlich, rührt, und begibt sich manchmal sogar etwas jenseits der politischen Korrektheit, aber sprichwörtlich gesehen, ist´s in dem Fall, wie der georgische Schnauzer sagen würde, konfliktfrei und seideumhüllt. Die Franzosen sind in der Lage dazu, diese Multi-Kulti-Ornamente zu drehen, wobei die kraftvoll gepriesene Arbeit der beiden Regisseure die wunderschöne Eigenschaft hat, dass sie uns zumindest keine klischeehaften sozialen oder politischen Stereotype untermogeln will (zumindest rettet der philanthropische Reiche den Armen ja nicht aus der Gosse). - Letzten Endes ist es tatsächlich etwas zwischen einem Märchen und Komödie. Die hoch angesiedelten Bewertungen verstehe ich - im Gegensatz zum langweiligen Kacke namens The Help ...jedoch an mir hinterlassen diese emotionalen Taschenrechner eben keine Wirkung. P.S. Kommissar Cluzet ist ein großartiger ... (28.05.2012)

Through black humour to a touching comedy about an unusual friendship. On paper, it looks like a cheap tear-jerking humanist drama, in the end, however, it is not cheap at all. (19.02.2012)

The best French film I've ever seen (though admittedly I haven't seen many of them). Comedy and drama in one, each component properly balanced. At the end of the film I was completely satisfied, happy, and moved. I saw the film without knowing what I was getting into, without looking at the ratings on FilmBooster, so I was very surprised to find it so well rated. A nice non-exploitative human drama with all the aspects of humanity that only these two can have. P.S.: I almost peed myself laughing at the beard shaving. (02.04.2012)

An excellent, superbly dramatic, and well-crafted film about real life among paraplegics and similarly disabled individuals. Philippe belongs to that fraction of the population who can afford to live in a castle with plenty of staff, and in such an environment, paralysis is much more bearable than languishing in an institution with burnt-out staff who make it abundantly clear how much your mere physical existence irritates them, and who keep you perpetually in a state of miserable survival. However, such a truthful film would not offer so much heartwarming humor, interesting situations, and appealing characters. The mutual chemistry between caregiver Driss, a black plebeian from the outskirts, and the aristocratic upper-class Philippe is simply perfect and fully functional. The film not only explores the development of a great friendship but also interestingly tackles the clash of different cultures, social classes, and the eternal conflict between the so-called high elite culture and the popular culture of the masses. The Intouchables excellently fulfills both genres it represents. You laugh at these characters and at the same time, you are afraid for them. There is one thing more I need to criticize - the film's epilogue is unnecessarily literal, and here, I would have left a more or less open ending and room for the viewer's imagination. Overall impression: 90%. (13.06.2012)

I have no hesitation in giving this all five stars, even if it is a purpose-made product, full of cliché and the right type of humanity. It flows past pleasantly, always something happening, and even above average in terms of acting. The customary French tempo has left the handbrake on, so in fact it rolls on just right for us to be able to appreciate the millionaire’s attributes... The Maserati, the great bath tub. I agree that sooner than later we’ll see an American remake. (05.04.2012)

Das Universum, in dem die französische Komödie mit Omar Sy in der Hauptrolle punktete, ist ein anderes Universum als das, in dem ich lebe. Was aber völlig in Ordnung ist. Dies ist auch ein Beispiel dafür, wie reichhaltig das filmische Multiversum ist. (31.12.2015)

There's a lack of insight, so it remains a very briskly shot and brilliantly humorous comedy. The French pulled their punches, fudged the script and avoided the clichéd philosophising in luminous Paris and classic gritty street stories. Intouchables is a fresh ride full of emotions and spontaneous improvisation of the main characters, without pathos and sentimentality. It's not reality, but neither is it beyond reality. A hit about right in the middle, with the heart in the right place. (30.07.2016)

Ein neuer Film, der: 1) weder aus Großbritannien noch aus den USA kommt; 2) trotzdem in unseren Kinos erschienen ist; 3) keinen einzigen Fehler hat? Das hat es lange nicht mehr gegeben. Ich meine… Zumindest seit The Artist. Es lebe (wieder einmal) Frankreich! So etwas Schönes sieht man auf der großen Leinwand selten. Wissen Sie, wo man einen Querschnittsgelähmten findet? – Nein. – Dort, wo Sie ihn zurückgelassen haben. (03.11.2012)

There’s no doubt this is a beautiful story that can make you fly, but perhaps (though the comparison is very exaggerated) compared to the similarly will-inducing Shawshank, it gets old fast and the initial enthusiasm wears thin. I still enjoy watching it more than most American comedies of the last few years, but I'd look elsewhere for undying cult-status. (02.05.2018)

Ziemlich beste Freunde bricht in Frankreich Zuschauerrekorde und hat bald 15 Millionen verkaufte Tickets. Die Franzosen reflektieren sehr gut die derzeitige Lage und sind in Filmen mit einem sozialen Kontext wahre Meister. Das Duo Cluzet-Sy zeigt eine hervorragende Leistung, es dauert nur wenige Minuten, bis man die beiden als Zuschauer mag. Trotzdem muss ich anmerken, dass mich der parallel laufende Premierenfilm Polisse mehr angesprochen hat, auch wenn dieser ein etwas anderes Genre aufweist. (26.11.2011)

I know that there will be those who will say that it is actually a pathetic story that only stands on the fact that one of the characters is disabled and can only move their head, but I cannot help it, this is simply a story that touched my heart. The main characters are quadriplegic Philippe and his caretaker Driss. At first glance, they are a pair that logically should not go together. Philippe is rich but paralyzed, requiring permanent care. Driss, on the other hand, is a young man who has just gotten out of prison, he is straightforward, says what he thinks, slightly unreliable, and above all, from a poor neighborhood. People like him usually don't fit with the wealthy. But it is precisely with his straightforwardness and behavior that Driss wins over his new employer, turning his life upside down. Driss wins over everyone and also wins over the viewers, just like this movie does. It is a smart, touching comedy that relies on the interaction of the two main characters, as well as Driss with other people. It works. It doesn't matter that it is based on a true story. I don't judge it as such. "The Intouchables" would be a great film even if it were made as an original story. The French once again prove that they are capable of creating something that can overcome national boundaries and captivate the whole world. It's a good thing, French cinema has a strong tradition and it needs to be rekindled. It's working in horror, and now apparently in other genres as well. More: http://www.filmovy-denik.cz/2012/07/runaways-rok-jedna-nedotknutelni-johnny.html (22.02.2013)