Character Relationship Map: The Intouchables

Characters

• Philippe (played by François Cluzet) — protagonist

  Wealthy quadriplegic aristocrat seeking a caregiver to restore his zest for life.

• Driss (played by Omar Sy) — protagonist

  Carefree young man from the suburbs who brings humor and vitality to Philippe's life.

• Yvonne (played by Anne Le Ny) — supporting

  Philippe's strict, highly efficient executive assistant managing his daily affairs.

• Magalie (played by Audrey Fleurot) — supporting

  Philippe's physical therapist assisting with his rehabilitation and mobility.

• Eléonore (played by Dorothée Brière) — minor

  Philippe's pen pal and romantic interest who communicates via letters.

• Adama (played by Cyril Mendy) — supporting

  Driss's friend from the projects who shares his background.

• Elisa (played by Alba Gaïa Bellugi) — supporting

  Philippe's young niece who visits the household.

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• Yvonne → Magalie (Professional Coworker) — Yvonne and Magalie serve on Philippe's household staff.

  Yvonne and Magalie both work in Philippe's household, with Magalie assisting in the caregiver interviews.

• Yvonne → Eléonore (Professional Go-Between) — Yvonne handles the correspondence with Eléonore.

  Philippe asks Yvonne to send a pre-accident photo to Eléonore.

• Driss → Adama (Family Cousin) — Driss leaves his job to help his cousin Adama.

  Driss's cousin Adama, in trouble with a gang, comes to fetch Driss at the mansion.

• Driss → Magalie (Professional Colleague) — Driss and Magalie share the household care duties.

  Both work in Philippe's household; Magalie is part of the care team during the interview.

• Driss → Yvonne (Professional Colleague) — Driss and Yvonne work together in Philippe's household.

  Yvonne greets Driss on his first day and later calls him back when Philippe's morale is low.

• Philippe → Elisa (Family Adopted Father) — Philippe cares for his adopted daughter Elisa.

  Philippe has problems with his adopted daughter Elisa, whom Driss helps him manage.

• Philippe → Eléonore (Romantic Pen Pal) — Philippe corresponds romantically with Eléonore by letter.

  Philippe has a purely epistolary relationship with Eléonore who lives in Dunkirk.

• Philippe → Magalie (Professional Patient) — Magalie helps Philippe with physical therapy.

  Magalie is Philippe's physical therapist assisting with his rehabilitation and mobility.

• Philippe → Yvonne (Professional Employer) — Philippe relies on Yvonne to run his household.

  Yvonne is Philippe's executive assistant who manages his daily affairs and greets Driss on his first day.

• Philippe → Driss (Professional Employer) — Philippe employs Driss to care for him daily.

  Philippe hires Driss as his live-in caregiver on a trial basis despite his lack of experience and indifference during the interview.

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• Driss → Elisa (Social Friendly Mentor) — Driss helps resolve tensions with Elisa.

  Driss helps Philippe organise his private life despite problems with Elisa.

• Driss → Eléonore (Social Matchmaker) — Driss brings Philippe and Eléonore together.

  Driss encourages Philippe to talk to Eléonore by phone and arranges their final lunch date in Cabourg.

• Philippe → Adama (Social Sympathetic Benefactor) — Philippe understands Driss's need to help Adama.

  Philippe overhears Adama's visit and releases Driss so he can support his family.

Story Analysis

An unlikely friendship between a quadriplegic aristocrat and his streetwise caregiver transforms both their lives.

Plot Progression

1. The Midnight Chase — The film opens with Driss and Philippe fleeing police in a Maserati. Driss claims a medical emergency and Philippe fakes a seizure to escape.
2. An Unlikely Hire — In flashback, Driss attends a caregiver interview only to get a rejection signature. Yvonne offers him a trial job and he begins caring for Philippe.
3. Breaking Down Walls — Driss learns Philippe's past and brings vitality to his life, discovering art and music. The birthday concert becomes a turning point in their friendship.
4. The Eléonore Gamble — Driss discovers Philippe's pen pal Eléonore and pushes him to meet her. Philippe's fear leads him to flee the arranged date.
5. Parting Ways — Adama's gang trouble brings Driss back to his family. Philippe releases him, then declines without his caregiver.
6. A Second Chance — Yvonne calls Driss back. After another police chase, Driss brings Philippe to the seaside and arranges a final meeting with Eléonore.