Editor’s Note: For this Icelandic film, an artistic image of an iceberg on an Icelandic black sand beach.
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I am not a regular movie “goer”, much less a movie reviewer. However, to distract myself from the earth metaphorically tilting on its axis this coming Monday, January 20th, Inauguration Day, I have been earnestly searching for distractions.
On Amazon’s Prime Video I found not only a distraction, but the best movie I have ever seen: the 2024 movie Touch.
It replaces my long-standing favorite The Color Purple — so beautifully done, and yet so very painful to watch. Unlike The Color Purple, Touch is not painful to watch. It is instead heartwarming, yet realistic about the vicissitudes of life, creatively presenting the best of our humanity against the backdrop of the worst consequences of our decisions.
Touch deftly weaves together a love story over five decades, three continents, three languages, and three cultures. Often all at the same time.
I want to tell you about it, but I am purposefully vague to not spoil it for you. I feel like just saying: trust me. Watch this film!
But here is what I will say: in equal measure, it is about youthful passions, love, aging, and loss. It doesn’t give away the plot either. It leaves you at various twists and turns wondering “but what happened”. Isn’t that skillful movie making at its best?
Touch is so tender. The Icelandic and Japanese actors lovingly work their way into your heart and mind.
Carefully the film reveals “Hibakusha”, a Japanese term that was totally new to me. In learning about it you will see why in the “real” world Touch was screened in Oslo during the Nobel Peace Prize ceremonies in December, 2024.
The awards for this 2024 film are coming in. Iceland submitted it to the Academy Awards for best international film. It had its Japanese premier at the Hiroshima International Film Festival in November, 2024.
It is a must-see film. Young and old will be smitten by it. The film’s ending is not an ending, but a beginning. As the earth tilts on its axis on Inauguration Day and the days to follow, Touch will allow your imagination to take flight as you wonder again and again about this fine film.
I leave you with a few tidbits that won’t spoil the movie for you: Touch is an adaptation of the novel of the same name by Icelandic author Ólafur Jôhann Ólafsson; young Kristófer is played by Icelander Palmi Kormákur, the director’s son who is/was an art student and not an actor; old Kristófer is played by veteran Icelandic actor, musician, and newly-diagnosed Parkinson’s patient Egill Ólafsson; young Mika is played by Japanese actress, model, songwriter, and flute player Kōki.
To honor this Icelandic film, this is the iconic sculpture “The Sun Voyage” by Jôn Gunnar Árnason in Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital city.
Copyright © 2025 by Jane Iddings
Will figure out how to watch this! Piqued my interest for sure! Thanks for the recommendation!😃
I was finally able to watch TOUCH and found it to be a film filled with emotion, intrigue and hope; one that causes the audience to continue to reflect on it as it relates to their own lives. Everyone’s life journey consists of continuous “what if’s”, not unlike the journeys of Kristoffer and Miko. And – what a lovely ending!! Thanks for the recommendation!
I need to watch this. The last time I watched a captioned movie was in a theater on my trip to Europe in early 1970’s. Thanks for the review.
A very moving movie. I find myself going over the “what ifs” of every twist and turn.
This will be one of those movies with lingering effects.
As the mother of two adopted children, there are emotions that have been stirred up that I will need time to reflect upon.
Jane, thank you for your intriguing review and prompt to watch this film.
I will be watching it soon! I love the review.
Yes, Touch is a must-see movie! It is heartbreaking, on so many levels; touching and uplifting “with promise,” reconciliation and more. I plan to re-watch it with the new perspective of knowing how all with turn out but interested to catch the fine points I may have missed on the first viewing. Your recommendation is most appreciated Jane.
Sounds like just what I need tonight!
I bothered the younger generation to get Amazon Prime on a device just so I could see this film. It was the evening of the day I sprained my ankle and was immobilized. Perfect! Touch is stunning as you said, Jane. I felt such sympathy, not only with the main characters but also young Miko’s father, haunted by memories, trying so hard to protect his daughter. It is humane and beautiful. Thank you Jane!
That is a great review, Jane. I can’t wait to see the movie. I do have one question, though. Was it filmed at the Nobel Peace Prize ceremonies in 2024 or 2023?
Thanks for sharing this with us!
Mary
Hi Mary,
It was screened (not filmed) at the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize ceremonies. I hope you enjoy this fine film.
I will watch it soon!!
I knew you would like it given your month traveling in Iceland with your family. And now that you’ve watched the movie, I love your emailed comments: “Stunning. Beautifully done.”