A feel good film that made me think (what doesn't?!)

  I watched a film today that at first is a story with a few jokes here and there and a happy ending, but in actual fact it has so many strong messages inside. It was based on a true story.

  Two men. One from a bad background, brought up by his uncle and aunt since the age of 8, uncle dies, aunt has many children, none with the same father, just recently spent 6 months in prison for robbery, thrown out by aunt, you get this gist! The other, a very wealthy man, widower of his much loved wife, paralysed from the neck down due to a paragliding accident, needing constant care. Basically, two men in very similarly negative situations, but having  got to this position in very different ways, the first is the fault of the man himself and the second is simply a very unfortunate man with bad luck.

  Of course the two men's paths meet! The ex-prisoner becomes the other poor man's carer, a bloody good one at that, and they get on like a house on fire. They build a strong relationship and over the duration of the film you notice an uplift of spirits within both of the characters. They become better people and best of friends. Making jokes about invalids, as a best friend would, and beating up neighbours for parking in front of the gate- true friendship! They even go paragliding together (yep, the exact thing that paralysed the poor man in the first place- mad!!) The paralysed man who had only been having letter relationships due to his situation, is even united with the receiver of his poetry! A real life girlfriend! And somehow the ex-prisoner rakes in €11,000 for a very abstract painting, thanks to his new best friend.

  So despite the film being entirely in French (not my forte) and rather funny throughout, in fact one of the best films I have seen in a while, it also had hidden messages. How different upbringings can really effect who you are and how you are envisaged, but also how you can completely ignore this and become an extremely good person despite an awful upbringing. How the richest of people can end up in the most weak and feeble situation, and how two people, living very different lifestyles, are completely equal, rely on each other and develop the most special relationship. No matter how rich or poor, weak or strong, clever or stupid, we are all people, equal, and bonds between people, are among life's most precious treasures. ( I now feel like Hugh Grant at the beginning of the film 'Love Actually' talking about people and relationships, so I shall shut up and let you get on with your days now- happy Thursday everyone! Happy Halloween!)