In the emotionally-rich narrative of “Touch” by Icelandic director Baltasar Kormákur, memories, love, aging, and loss play the central roles. The film, with an expansive scope spanning continents, cultures, languages and multiple decades, stays true to its title, delivering a narrative as delicate as a butterfly flutter.
The central character, Kristófer, played by Egill Ólafsson, is an aging restaurant owner in Iceland dealing with the loss of his wife and the onset of memory and motor skills decline. A doctor's suggestion prompts him to address unresolved life issues, leading to memories of a long-lost love in London from his youth. Despite daunting circumstances such as an impending global pandemic, Kristófer sets out to find his first love 60 years later.
Viewers are taken on a journey between past and present, showing us a young Kristófer and his love, Miko, in the vibrant 1960s London. Vibrant hues bring out the memories, contrasting with the cooler tones of present-day scenes.
Kristófer's journey leads him to work in a Japanese restaurant and fall in love with the owner's daughter, Miko. The film delicately uses imagery of lavish meals as metaphors for love, and the story is set against the backdrop of John Lennon and Yoko Ono's Vietnam War protest "bed-in", and references to the implications of WWII.
In his present-day quest, Kristófer eventually discovers Miko's whereabouts in Japan, trudging through the new normal of hand sanitizers, masks, canceled flights, and temperature checks. The film accentuates his journey rather than his destination, embedding in it a sense of appreciation for the world around him. Moments like a candid conversation with a Japanese worker in a restaurant fuels this motif.
The narrative of “Touch” isn’t merely about reclaiming lost love or youth but is a reflection on an individual’s life journey, painted on a vast canvas of cultural contexts, historical events and personal developments. The story’s underlining message of compassion and forgiveness adds a certain depth to it. With engaging performances and a mingling of past and present scenes, the movie captures the essence of vital first-love, making it a compelling and heartwarming viewing experience.
