The Intouchables (Blu-ray) Official AVSForum Review

The Review at a Glance: (max score: 5 )

Film:

Extras:

Audio/Video total rating:

( Max score: 100 )
87





Studio and Year: Sony Classic Pictures - 2011
MPAA Rating: R
Feature running time: 112 minutes
Genre: Drama

Disc Format: BD-25
Encoding: AVC (MPEG-4)
Video Aspect: 1.85:1
Resolution: 1080p/24


Audio Format(s): French DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio
Subtitles: English, English SDH, Spanish
Starring: Francois Cluzet, Omar Sy, Anne Le NY, Audrey Fleurot
Written & Directed by: Eric Toledano & Olivier Nakache
Music by: Ludovico Einaudi
Region Code: A

Blu-ray Disc release Date: March 5, 2013

Film Synopsis:

When Driss, an ex-con from the projects, is hired to take care of an eccentric French aristocrat named Philippe, his newfound job quickly becomes an unpredictable adventure. Speeding a Maserati through Paris, seducing women and paragliding over the Alps is just the beginning, as Driss turns the often humorous world of upper-class Parisian society upside-down. As this unlikely duo overcome adversity of every flavor in this true story, they also shatter their preconceptions of love, life and each other. Based on the #1 international best-selling book, “You Changed My Life.”


My Take:

“Sometimes you have to reach into someone else’s world to find what’s missing in your own”. I have often said that one of the things I enjoy about reviewing home video is that it exposes me to quality films that I probably would never have seen otherwise. The intouchables is another example of just such a film. Based upon a true story from the international best selling book “You changed my life” this drama tells the story of an unlikely friendship that develops between Philippe a wealthy Parisian quadriplegic and a down on his luck ex-con named Driss who Philippe takes on to be his caregiver. While this has all the ingredients for an overtly sentimental hodgepodge it turned out to be nothing of the kind.

The intouchables is a beautifully crafted dramatic film that eschews pointed melodrama and speaks to the human condition from a candid perspective derived from an enchanting story of the healing power of friendship. Driss and Philippe are two completely different men that together come and assimilate on a level that can’t be understood by those around them. Their bond is personal and fed by a dual kinship based upon an innate understanding of one another. The script incorporates humor that plays perfectly against the elements of drama pertaining to culture clash, physical disability and a fish out of water tale. Not at all what I was expecting I found this to be an enriching film experience. While it does adhere to a crowd pleasing formula it doesn’t require a deep emotional investment and asks only that you open up to the adventurous spirit and engaging devotion of these characters. The performances and chemistry shared by Francois Cluzet, and Omar Sy is marvelous and a big part of what makes the film work so well.

I watched it twice, once alone and then with my family. It’s a wonderful and fulfilling film that is a little clichéd but irresistibly entertaining. I can’t recommend it enough.


Parental Guide:

The rating is for language and some drug use.



AUDIO/VIDEO - By The Numbers:
REFERENCE = 92-100 / EXCELLENT = 83-91 / GOOD = 74-82 / AVERAGE = 65-73 / BELOW AVERAGE = under 65

**My audio/video ratings are based upon a comparative made against other high definition media/blu-ray disc.**


Audio: 80

(Each rating is worth 4 points with a max of 5 per category)

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Video: 94

(Each rating is worth 4 points with a max of 5 per category)

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The intouchables comes to Blu-ray Disc from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment featuring 1080p AVC encoded video that has an average bitrate of 19 Mbps and lossless DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio sound that has an average bitrate of 3.3 Mbps.

This is a top notch video presentation that boasts plenty of high level detail, boldly applied contrast, rich colors, and appreciable dimensional perspective. Fleshtones are lifelike and exhibit warm yet descriptive complexional tonality. Blacks are punchy and visibility in low lighting/darkened areas is estimable. Images are dynamic, clearly drawn, and well suited for the source material. I saw no signs of deleterious artifacts and found the presentation to by whistle clean and beautifully rendered in high definition.

The lossless DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack presents the film’s soundtrack with aplomb. The sound mix features dialogue that is full bodied with defining tonal characteristics and prominent soundstage position. High level detail enhances the detection of less prominent sound effects and the subtle nuance in the music score’s instrumentation. The film is driven by dialogue and other than a brief sequence in the opening scene there is little call for low bass/room filling sound effects. The surround channels supply rear channel ambience which extends the front soundstage in a natural fashion that never draws attention away from the moment. All in all this is a complimentary audio presentation that sounds quite good.


Bonus Features:

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• 5 Deleted scenes
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• Ultraviolet Digital Copy

Final Thoughts:

Based upon a true story from the international best selling book “You changed my life” The intouchables is a beautifully crafted dramatic film that eschews pointed melodrama and speaks to the human condition from a candid perspective derived from an enchanting story of the healing power of friendship. It comes to Blu-ray Disc from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment featuring reference quality high definition video, crystal clear lossless sound and a disappointing supplemental offering. The intouchables has made its way onto my list of personal favorite films and is highly recommended viewing.












Ralph Potts
AVS Forum Blu-ray Reviews





Reference Review System:


JVC DLA-RS55 3D Ready 1080p High Definition Front Projector
(Calibrated with Calman 5 & C6 Meter from Spectracal)
Stewart Filmscreen - Studiotek 130 G3 100” 16x9 Screen
Onkyo PR-SC5508 THX Ultra 2 Audio/Video Processor
Sherbourn Technologies - 7/200 Seven Channel Amplifier
Oppo BDP-103 Universal Disc/3D capable Blu-ray Player (HDMI Audio/Video)
Panasonic DMP-BDT310 3D capable Blu-ray Player (HDMI Audio/Video)
Toshiba HD-XA2 HD DVD Player (HDMI Audio/Video)
Sony Playstation 3 Blu-ray disc Player (HDMI Audio/Video)
System Controller: Apple iPad/iRule Pro HD Universal Remote Control
Canton "Ergo" Series speakers
Axiom Audio QS8 Quadpolar speakers
SV Sound PB-13 Ultra (Rosenut finish)
APC AV S15BLK Power Conditioner/Surge Protector
Wireworld, Better Cables (Silver Serpent) - Audio/Video/Speaker Cabling
Cool Components - CP-CP102 cooling package

Greetings,



Glad you enjoyed it Deja Vu.


Regards,

Greetings,

I am glad to hear the positive responses to The Intouchables. It really is a wonderful film..


Regards,

Greetings,

Glad to hear you enjoyed it just the same SS4L..


Regards,