Director Baltasar Kormákur's newest endeavor, "Touch," based on Ólafur Jóhann Ólafsson's novel, presents an emotional narrative surrounding an elderly man, Kristofer (Egill Ólafsson), in search of his first love during a period of uncertainty. In the frosty landscape of Iceland, Kristofer leads a solitary life following his wife's death, filled with choir practices, conversations with his daughter, and tending to his restaurant. Concerns about his memory lead him to a diagnosis of early-stage Alzheimer's, compelling him to set important personal matters straight - the most crucial being the search for Miko (Kôki), his first love who left him fifty years back.
Despite Kormákur's portfolio predominantly consisting of action films, "Touch" demonstrates his ability to craft complex, character-driven narratives. The film navigates through different timelines, intertwining the past and present as Kristofer embarks on a journey from Iceland to England and Japan amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Every moment is meticulously sculpted to captivate the audience and build up to an emotionally resonant climax.
Furthermore, relationships are carefully explored - the lost romance between Kristofer and Miko, the evolving friendship with Miko's father, and even connections with secondary characters - enhancing the depth of the narrative. Each character is intricately designed with their own rich internal lives, adding layers to the storytelling.
Visually, Kormákur and cinematographer Bergsteinn Björgúlfsson create a compelling spectacle with subtle shifts in color palettes and lighting, which amplify feelings of longing and regret. Alongside the captivating visuals, Högni Egilsson's emotive score intertwines with the narrative to heighten emotions.
Performance-wise, Ólafsson and Kormákur brilliantly portray the same character at different ages, while Kôki delivers a compelling performance as Miko, exuding grace and strength. Throughout its runtime, "Touch" manages to pulsate with a similar tone to classic romantic movies but carves its unique narrative about resilience, courage, and the power of love amidst personal loss and world suffering.
