Paralyzed after a paragliding accident, wealthy daredevil Philippe (Francois Cluzet) hires Driss (Omar Sy), a cocky ex-con, despite the concerns of his aides, including Yvonne (Anne Le Ny).
An Unlikely Friendship, Made For The Movies
()Based on a true story, a popular award-winning French film follows the therapeutic relationship between a quadriplegic aristocrat and his ex-con caretaker. Critic Mark Jenkins says The Intouchables is likable, but airbrushes the sociocultural conflicts inherent in its material.
'OC87': A First Film, Personal And Hard-Won()
May 24, 2012 Bud Clayman dreamed of becoming a filmmaker in Los Angeles, but those dreams were complicated by his Asperger's syndrome, OCD, bipolar disorder and depression. Three decades later, he's co-directed a film about his struggles with mental illness.
'Moonrise Kingdom': Quirk, And An Earnest Heart()
May 24, 2012 Wes Anderson directs a 1960s-set fable of young love about two kids who run away into the New England wilderness. (Recommended)
'Men In Black 3': A Cartoonish Blast To The Past()
May 24, 2012 Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones return in the second Men In Black sequel as J and K, two of the sable-clad agents monitoring the Earth's secret alien population. Critic Scott Tobias says a time-travel plot and a strong performance from Josh Brolin as a young Agent K give the franchise a lift.
'Oslo, August 31st': A Long Day In A Gray Hour()
May 24, 2012 The second film directed by Joachim Trier (Reprise) follows a self-destructive writer released from rehab for a day in Oslo. Critic Mark Jenkins says the film is a meditative look at one man seeking connection while considering ending it all.
'Polisse': In Paris, A Thin Bleu Line()
May 17, 2012 Based on actual cases, the documentary-style drama follows officers of Paris' Child Protection Unit through successes and failures and the ambiguity in between. Critic Mark Jenkins says the film features a virtuoso ensemble cast and is both humane and disturbing. (Recommended)
Down In 'Virginia,' Where The Crazy Runs Deep()
May 17, 2012 Milk writer Dustin Lance Black directs a swampy Southern melodrama about a single mother's affair with the married sheriff of a small Virginia town. Critic Scott Tobias says the film suffers from inconsistent direction that treats its characters with contempt and its place as caricature.
'Elena': A Femme Fatale, In The Rubble Of Perestroika()
May 17, 2012 Two families united by marriage but divided by class are the focus of an intensely compelling slice of noir about moral rot and class warfare in post-Soviet Russia. Critic Ella Taylor says the film by director Andrey Zvyagintsev (The Return) smolders with existential unease.
Board Game + Explosions + Aliens = 'Battleship'()
May 17, 2012 Inspired by the popular board game, the summer blockbuster pits the U.S. Navy against an invading force of hostile aliens. NPR's Bob Mondello says the Transformers-like mayhem that ensues is more or less incoherent.
A 'Hysteria' Epidemic, And A Notably Electric Cure ()
May 17, 2012 The invention of the vibrator is the focus of a romantic comedy set in 1880s London and starring Hugh Dancy, Felicity Jones and Maggie Gyllenhaal. Critic Jeannette Catsoulis says the film is disappointingly limp, turning the story of a device that rocked sexual politics into coy costumed farce.
A Wes Anderson 'Kingdom' Full Of Beautiful Imagery ()
May 25, 2012 Wes Anderson's latest film is the story of a 12-year-old girl and boy who merge their imaginative worlds on an island off the coast of New England. Critic David Edelstein says Moonrise Kingdom will appeal to Anderson's longtime fans as well as anyone who appreciates good cinematography and design.
About Movie Reviews
Opinions on current offerings at the cinema from a slate of reviewers, including Fresh Air contributor David Edelstein, Kenneth Turan of the Los Angeles Times and NPR's Bob Mondello.
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