-
Tananarive Due and Steven Barnes Bring New ... -
A Woman's Body Is Not A Plaything - from ... -
How You Can Light for HD... Until You Can ... -
Review: 'Peeples' is a Charming Farce with ... -
Was The Man Behind 'The Lone Ranger's' Mask ...
-
S&A 'Scandal' Recap - An Unexpected Blast ... -
Review - 'Venus And Serena' Is An Entertaining ... -
Review: 'Peeples' Is Essentially A Predictable ... -
How to Read (Black) Classic Films -
Kerry Washington and Craig Robinson Talk ...
-
David Alan Grier and the 'Peeples' Cast Talk ... -
5 Netflix Streaming Titles You May Not Know ... -
Interview: Chicago Native Aims To Match NYC, ... -
Tribeca 2013 Review: Revisting Charles Lane's ... -
Craig Robinson Talks To S & A's Sergio About ...
Exclusive: Trailer for Acclaimed South African ...
Netflix Offerings: 5 Streaming Titles You ...
Netflix Picks: 'Black Butterfly' Deals w/ ...
Review: 'Iron Man 3' Is The Most Entertaining ...
The Mainstream Media's Coverage Of Crowdfunding ...
About That Popular 'Black Films Don't Sell ...Weinstein Company Moving Full Speed Ahead w/ "Intouchables" Remake; Who Should Play Driss?
The Weinsteins aren't wasting any time with this are they?
First, I'm just going to recap all that Tambay has long said about this film and its adaptation:
On the heels of his historic César Award win for Best Actor, the film Omar Sy won the award for - the box office record-setting dramedy Intouchables - now has an official USA theatrical release date, courtesy of The Weinstein Company, who also own remake rights to the film.
Really curious to see how this is received here in the USA, given all the polarizing talk I've read/heard about the film, from Omar Sy being hailed by some in France as a blossoming black cinema icon, to the negative reviews the film has received from some American critics who've seen the film.
The film, which is said to be based on a funny and moving true story, centers on the relationship between a wealthy white aristocrat who becomes a quadriplegic after a paragliding accident, and the young, poor "street-tough" black man he hires to take care of him.
Omar Sy stars as our "street-tough" dude, Driss, while François Cluzet (one of France's movie stars), plays Philippe the rich quadriplegic.
I'd previously expressed my reservations with regards to the film, even though I STILL haven't seen it yet; but based on the info available, there's nothing particular fresh about the basic buddy/comedy concept, and one can't help but instantly see some familiar character archetypes here, specifically where the black man is concerned. And I'm wondering what the Weinstein Company sees in it (other than the fact that it broke box office records in France), enough to want to release it in the USA, and how they might translate it in an American remake, if Harvey will stick to the original story and characters - the right white quadriplegic and the poor, street smart, black tough guy - or revamp the entire idea.
And, unfortunately, the reviews I've read thus far, one from Variety, one from The Hollywood Reporter, and a third from an S&A reader, don't do much to change my expectations of the film.
First, the bad, from Variety:
Though never known for their subtlety, French co-helmers/scripters Eric Toledano and Olivier Nakache have never delivered a film as offensive as “Untouchable,” which flings about the kind of Uncle Tom racism one hopes has permanently exited American screens. The Weinstein Co., which has bought remake rights, will need to commission a massive rewrite to make palatable this cringe-worthy comedy about a rich, white quadriplegic hiring a black man from the projects to be his caretaker, exposing him to “culture” while learning to loosen up. Sadly, this claptrap will do boffo Euro biz.
From The Hollywood Reporter, which wasn't as harsh:
The King's Speech meets Driving Miss Daisy in Untouchables, a loosely based-on-fact French tale of a quadriplegic white millionaire given a new lease of life by his uncouth black caretaker. Corny, calculating and commercial... Driss's characterization veers perilously close to caricature at certain junctures, most notably when he displays his energetic dance-moves to liven up Philippe's stuffy birthday party. (The real Driss, we eventually discover, is Arab rather than black.) The racial angle is often clumsily dramatized, as when Elisa makes an implausibly stupid remark about how things are done "in your country." The chap may have been born in Senegal, but is unmistakeably a home-grown son of the banlieues.
The Hollywood Reporter review does praise the performances of both leads.
And finally, from an S&A reader, which is the most positive of the 3:
Well, you'll hate it. It's a Magical Negro Driving Monsieur Daisy film. I know that you would role your eyes at the dance scene set to Earth Wind and Fire's Boogie Wonderland. That said, I did enjoy it even though seeing it made me realize how much my French sucks. My husband, whom I dragged from his sick bed and who did not know that he was going to see a movie in French, enjoyed it too. He thought it was the best of French humor: chock full of every stereotype, but done in an unforced way. (His words, not mine.)... Omar Sy was quite engaging. His smile lit up the screen. I'm wondering if he'll be able to cross the pond like Djimoun Hounsou. I was trying to imagine who would play his role in the American version. Will Smith springs to mind, but he's too old and he already played Bagger Vance... In fact, all of the performances were good. I would have liked to have seen more about Driss' homelife. This is where our French failed us. We couldn't figure out what exactly was going on with his brother at the end. That was the fault of our lousy French, not the film maker's. Still, it was enjoyable, but I can't wait to read how your readers rip it apart!... Yeah, it was a feel-good movie. Was it on your site or Deadline that I read that Intouchables was the Titanic of France, i.e., people were seeing it repeatedly? The theater yesterday was about 60% full, but my friends who saw it last week said that it was packed and the line for the next showing was around the corner. around the corner.
So there ya have it....
I'm looking at that Variety review and sighing at the part where the writer says the Weinsteins would have to commission a "massive rewrite" to make the "cringe-worthy" comedy palatable to stateside audiences... will stateside audiences cringe as the Variety writer did?
We'll see on May 25th, when the film will be officially released in the USA.
Next, announced by Variety just moments ago, Bridesmaids director Paul Feig is in early negotiations to direct the English-language remake for The Weinstein Company, and Colin Firth is in early talks to star in the role played by François Cluzet.
Variety says there's no script yet, but the Weinsteins are expected to hire a writer shortly, and a fall production start date is planned.
So the obvious next question that you're all probably asking is: who will play the role originated by Omar Sy??? And if the review from Variety is correct about the need for "massive rewrites" to make the film more palatable and less cringe-worthy for stateside audiences, should we be concerned?
Here's the first English-subtitled trailer:
8 Comments
jingmei | April 2, 2012 5:35 AM
If need to be a black guy then Anthony Mackie gets real potentials. Or as long as any races opposite to the discapable wealthy dude. So it's not the character matter, it's about the worldwide social racial humanity subject matter. For this part no surprise Hollywood is keen on remaking any adaptions just not French films. But since it's an original French people's living sotry, look forward to this project.
cyn | March 30, 2012 10:01 AM
Please see the movie and formulate your own opinion.
I personally enjoyed, I do know that the African American experience colors the way people would view a movie like this one. I am an African living in America and I wasnt as offended as some of the critics were. I thought it was a story that rings true- theres unfortunate truth in all stereotypes. Also, its loosley based on a true story...
I understand that African Americans want new and different or more positive stories to be told, but that shouldnt in itself cause you to villify or condemn those that tell the ugly side. And in all honesty, I have also lived in France, and children of African origin are so easily insulated - they stay in their communities, they dont always get exposed to "french culture"- which doesnt necessarily mean its better. Alot of the parents work in low paying jobs as "the help". If anything its an accurate reflection of a portion of french society, it should make people think about why its like that and why things need to change. Showing only positive stories of black people doing well and being rich is much needed and not seen often enough. But even in doing that, it doesnt make the other one less valid or less worth telling.
Just go see the movie.... complain and criticize later.
Chrscoche | March 30, 2012 9:29 AM
I'm so not interested in this movie I actually AM interested! Discuss.
Guest | March 30, 2012 9:07 AM
Omar Sy said in interviews that, to transpose Driss into the equivalent in the US society, he would change the character into a mexican.
Pinocchio | March 30, 2012 7:08 AM
Intouchables was not only a monster hit in France, but also huge in Germany and other countries. Flick so far made 291 million USD worldwide. It seems to have universal appeal -- a fact some critics still don't get. It's even performing very well in Asian markets.
If there's a remake it would be only for the US market and maybe UK/Australia. And that doesn't make too much sense IMHO.
Blake | March 29, 2012 11:20 PM
Why not make the wealthy disabled man black and the poor man white?
Helluva | March 29, 2012 4:45 PM
Sounds like it'll be more of a broad comedy here so...JB Smoove maybe? The white character will probably be the bigger star in the American version. Jamie Foxx'd do it...'specially if he considered doing a Wanda film this late in the game. I can even see the brother from "The Office," his name escapes me at the moment...