Intouchables Exam Study Guide & Movie Companion

Vocabulary flashcards featuring key characters, thematic vocabulary, French language terms, and film concepts from Intouchables.

Philippe

A wealthy, educated Parisian widower who became tetraplegic following a paragliding accident; he appreciates art, poetry, and classical music, and desires dignity rather than pity.

Driss

A spontaneous, blunt young caregiver from the banlieue who served time for robbery; originally named Bakary and brought from Senegal at age eight by his aunt and uncle.

Yvonne

The household manager who organizes Philippe's daily life and contacts Driss when Philippe becomes withdrawn and struggles following their separation.

Magalie

Philippe's assistant whom Driss flirts with; her partner is a woman named Frédérique.

Marcelle

A healthcare professional who trains Driss on how to wash, move, and physically care for Philippe.

Élisa

Philippe's adopted teenage daughter who faces personal problems and whose boyfriend Bastien is confronted by Driss.

Éléonore

The woman with whom Philippe corresponds via letters; Driss urges him to call her and later secretly coordinates their restaurant meeting.

Alice

Philippe's late wife whose illness and death are central to his grief; she gave him sentimental Fabergé egg gifts.

Antoine

An acquaintance who cautions Philippe regarding Driss's criminal history and suitability, and later purchases Driss's abstract painting for €11,000.

Adama

Driss's cousin who was raised as his younger brother; his legal and street troubles lead Driss to step down from caregiving to support his family.

Albert

The estate gardener whom Driss teases Yvonne about having a mutual romantic interest in.

Philippe Pozzo di Borgo and Abdel Sellou

The real-life inspirations for Philippe and Driss identified in the film's closing captions.

Éric Toledano and Olivier Nakache

The directors of the 2011 comedy-drama film Intouchables.

Un auxiliaire de vie

A caregiver; the professional role Driss occupies to assist Philippe with personal and daily physical needs.

Tétraplégique

Tetraplegic; characterized by paralysis of both the arms and legs, requiring extensive daily assistance.

Un fauteuil roulant

A wheelchair; mobility equipment used daily by Philippe.

La banlieue

A suburb; the geographic setting outside central Paris where Driss lives, which is not inherently poor.

Une cité

A housing estate situated in the suburbs where Driss's family resides.

Un entretien d'embauche

A job interview; the meeting Driss initially crashes purely to seek a signature demonstrating a rejection for social support.

Les allocations

State benefits or welfare aid that Driss seeks to collect by presenting proof of job hunting.

Le chômage

Unemployment.

Embaucher

To hire; what Philippe chooses to do with Driss on a trial basis despite warnings and lack of training.

Faire confiance à

To trust; an attitude Philippe deliberately chooses over suspicion when evaluating Driss's character.

La pitié

Pity; a condescending attitude that Philippe refuses from caregivers and commends Driss for lacking.

Les préjugés

Prejudices or preconceived assumptions related to criminal records, social status, and physical disability.

Vaincre un obstacle

To overcome an obstacle.

Un retour en arrière

A flashback; the cinematic narrative mechanism employed following the high-speed car chase opening scene.

Une comédie dramatique

A comedy-drama; the genre classification of the film Intouchables.

Un gros plan

A close-up camera shot.

Un plan d'ensemble

A wide shot or establishing shot in cinema terminology.