he Intouchables (Intouchables) charmed the world with its heartwarming story of an aristocrat and his caregiver. Initially, it seemed like a modest French comedy, but it quickly exploded into a global phenomenon that broke box office records. Furthermore, the chemistry between François Cluzet and Omar Sy turned a simple script into a masterpiece of modern cinema. Consequently, the film remains a definitive example of how humor can bridge the widest cultural gaps. Explore these fascinating details about the movie that made the world laugh and cry.
Intouchables
Actually, the story is based on two real men. Specifically, the script adapts the true friendship between Philippe Pozzo di Borgo and Abdel Sellou. Later, the directors discovered their story in a 2003 documentary. Immediately, they felt compelled to turn it into a feature film.
Surprisingly, the real caregiver was Algerian, not West African. In fact, Abdel Sellou is from Algeria. However, the directors changed the character’s background to Senegalese to cast Omar Sy. Ultimately, they felt his energy was perfect for the role, even if it meant altering the biography.
Crucially, Philippe insisted the movie must be a comedy. When the directors approached Philippe, he had one strict condition. Specifically, he did not want a depressing drama about his disability. Therefore, he told them he would refuse the project if the movie was not funny.
Remarkably, Omar Sy became the first Black actor to win a César for Best Actor. His electrifying performance as Driss earned him France’s equivalent of an Oscar in 2012. Historically, he beat out Jean Dujardin, who had previously won the actual Academy Award for The Artist.
Believe it or not, the opening car chase actually happened. The scene where Driss speeds through Paris in a Maserati is not Hollywood fiction. In reality, Abdel Sellou really did drive Philippe’s luxury cars at dangerous speeds. Frequently, they used Philippe’s disability to get out of speeding tickets.
Impressively, Omar Sy choreographed the famous dance scene himself. During the birthday party scene, Driss dances to “Boogie Wonderland.” The directors simply asked Sy to just “feel the music.” Consequently, he improvised the entire routine on the spot without a professional choreographer.
Eventually, it became the most successful French film in history. Upon its release, The Intouchables shattered records. Also, it became the most-viewed French movie outside of France. Ultimately, it grossed over $400 million worldwide, surpassing the previous record-holder, Amélie.
Symbolically, the title refers to the lowest caste in India. Specifically, the word “Intouchables” draws a parallel to the Dalit caste. The directors chose this title to symbolize that both men were cast aside. Effectively, society rejected one for his disability and the other for his social status.
Generously, 5% of the profits went to a charity. The producers and Philippe agreed to donate a portion of the box office earnings to Simon de Cyrène. Notably, this organization builds shared homes where able-bodied and disabled people live together in community.
Authentically, the actors used a real Maserati Quattroporte. The production used the high-end Italian sports car for the driving sequences. However, they used a stunt vehicle for aggressive jumps. Wisely, this prevented them from destroying the expensive luxury car.
Musically, Ludovico Einaudi composed the hypnotic soundtrack. The Italian composer provided the piano-heavy score that gave the film its emotional weight. Soon, tracks like “Una Mattina” became inseparable from the movie’s identity. Consequently, they saw a massive spike in popularity on streaming platforms.
Admittedly, the “No arms, no chocolate” joke was risky. The famous line is a dark joke well-known in France. Initially, the directors worried it might be too offensive. Yet, the real Philippe loved it because it reflected their ruthless, pity-free humor.
Later, Abdel Sellou wrote his own memoir after the film. After seeing the movie’s success, the real-life “Driss” wrote a book titled You Changed My Life. In it, he admitted that he was even more reckless in his youth than the movie portrayed.
Inevitably, Hollywood remade the film as The Upside. In 2017, an American version starred Kevin Hart and Bryan Cranston. Surprisingly, it performed well financially. However, critics felt it failed to capture the unique magic of the French original.
Touchingly, the real men remained best friends until the end. The end credits show footage of the real Philippe and Abdel together. Happily, they stayed close for decades. For example, Abdel often visited Philippe in Morocco until Philippe passed away in June 2023.
Anthony Hopkins is a titan of the acting world who scares and delights audiences in equal measure. Although he is best known for playing villains, he is actually a gentle musician and painter in real life. Furthermore, his career has spanned decades, earning him the highest honors in the industry. Consequently, his personal journey offers as many surprises as his movie roles. Explore these fascinating details about the man behind the mask.
Anthony Hopkins
He won an Oscar for only sixteen minutes of screen time. In the movie The Silence of the Lambs, he appears on camera for a very short portion of the film. Nevertheless, his terrifying performance was so impactful that he won the Academy Award for Best Actor.
Surprisingly, Anthony Hopkins composed a waltz that became a global hit. He wrote the piece of music called “And The Waltz Goes On” when he was a young man, but he was too shy to release it. Eventually, he sent it to the famous violinist André Rieu, who performed it for a massive audience in Vienna.
He famously improvised the creepy hissing noise in The Silence of the Lambs. During the scene where he mentions eating liver and fava beans, he spontaneously made the slurping sound to disturb his co-star, Jodie Foster. Instantly, the director loved the unscripted moment and decided to keep it in the final cut.
Passionately, he wrote a fan letter to the cast of Breaking Bad. After he watched the entire series in two weeks, he felt compelled to email Bryan Cranston. Specifically, he told the actor that his performance as Walter White was the best acting he had ever seen.
Unfortunately, he struggled in school due to undiagnosed dyslexia. As a child, he felt isolated because he could not keep up with his classmates academically. Therefore, he turned to painting and playing the piano as a way to express his emotions.
Deliberately, he chose not to blink his eyes while playing Hannibal Lecter. He wanted the character to look reptilian and absolutely focused on his prey. Consequently, this intense, unblinking stare became one of the most iconic traits of the villain.
Anthony Hopkins is the oldest person to ever win a Best Actor Oscar. Recently, he took home the trophy for his role in The Father at the age of 83. Thus, he broke the previous age record held by the late Christopher Plummer.
Officially, Queen Elizabeth II knighted him for his services to the arts. He received the high honor at Buckingham Palace in 1993. Hence, you can formally address him as Sir Anthony Hopkins.
Obsessively, he reads his script aloud over 200 times before filming begins. He believes in over-preparing so that the lines become a natural reflex for him. As a result, he can recite complex dialogue effortlessly while performing difficult actions.
Originally, he wanted to be a concert pianist rather than an actor. Although he eventually chose drama school, he never lost his love for the piano. Frequently, he posts videos on social media where he plays beautiful classical music in his home.
Late in life, doctors diagnosed him with Asperger’s Syndrome. Interestingly, he views this condition as an advantage for his acting career. He claims it helps him deconstruct characters and analyze their behavior more deeply than other actors.
He has been sober for nearly fifty years. Previously, he battled a severe addiction to alcohol that threatened to ruin his life and career. However, he quit drinking in 1975 and often speaks openly about his recovery to inspire others.
Creatively, he is an accomplished painter with his own art studio. He describes his painting style as wild and free, using bright colors and chaotic strokes. Furthermore, his original artwork is quite valuable and hangs in galleries around the world.
Adorably, he often plays the piano for his cat, Niblo. The actor posts heartwarming clips of himself holding the cat while he plays gentle melodies. In fact, these videos have made him a viral sensation on TikTok and Instagram.
Finally, Anthony Hopkins played Odin in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He enjoyed the role of the Norse god because it required very little acting effort. Playfully, he joked that he just had to put on the beard and the armor to look commanding.
Samuel L. Jackson stands as a towering figure in cinema history with a presence that defines every scene he enters. While millions recognize his iconic voice and intense gaze, this legendary actor possesses many unique habits and surprising professional rules. Indeed, you can find a history of specialized contract clauses and unexpected hobby expertise behind his famous film roles. Furthermore, his journey from a young activist to the highest-grossing actor of all time remains a truly incredible story.
Samuel L. Jackson
Samuel L. Jackson is officially the highest-grossing actor of all time thanks to his many blockbuster film franchises. His movies have earned over 27 billion dollars globally, which places him ahead of every other star in Hollywood history.
He famously includes a special “golf clause” in every single film contract he signs for a new movie. This legal agreement allows him to leave the set twice a week to play golf at a local course nearby.
The actor struggled with a severe stutter during his childhood and used acting as a way to overcome it. Specifically, he discovered that using a certain famous curse word helped him find his rhythm and stop his speech blocks.
He personally requested a purple lightsaber for his role as Mace Windu in the Star Wars prequel trilogy. He wanted to be able to find himself easily during the massive battle scenes that featured many different Jedi characters.
George Lucas agreed to the unique color even though Jedi lightsabers usually only appeared in blue or green hues. Consequently, Jackson became the only character in the film universe to wield a weapon with that specific purple glow.
Samuel L. Jackson was a dedicated civil rights activist during his time as a student at Morehouse College. In 1969, he even participated in a protest that involved locking the school’s board of trustees inside a building.
He served as a pallbearer at the funeral of Martin Luther King Jr. shortly after the leader’s tragic death. This experience deeply impacted his worldview and his commitment to social justice throughout his long and successful professional career.
Surprisingly, he did not find mainstream fame until he was forty-five years old with his role in Pulp Fiction. This proves that success can arrive later in life if a person remains dedicated to their craft and passion.
He is a massive fan of comic books and actually gave Marvel permission to use his likeness for Nick Fury. The comic writers redesigned the character to look exactly like him years before he ever played the role on screen.
The actor once worked as a security guard for the popular television musical variety show called Soul Train. He watched many legendary musical acts perform while he stood off-camera to ensure the safety of the famous guests.
Samuel L. Jackson has appeared in over 150 movies throughout his career, which is a staggering number for any actor. He often works on several projects at the same time and rarely takes a long break from the camera.
He possesses a black belt in the martial art of judo, which he earned during his younger years. This physical training helps him maintain his incredible stamina and perform his own stunts in various high-octane action movie scenes.
The actor is a vegan and credits his plant-based diet for helping him maintain his health and energy levels. He made the switch several years ago and often advocates for the benefits of a lifestyle without animal products.
He famously recorded an audiobook version of the humorous children’s book Go the F**k to Sleep. The recording became an instant viral hit because his signature intense delivery perfectly matched the frustration of a tired parent.
Finally, Samuel L. Jackson never watches his own movies once they are finished and released to the public. He prefers to move on to the next creative challenge rather than dwelling on his past performances on the screen.
