TOUCH
Written and directed
by Paul Schrader, based on a novel by Elmore Leonard, starring Bridget
Fonda, Christopher Walken, Skeet Ulrich, Tom Arnold, Gina Gershon, Lolita
Davidovich, Paul Mazursky, Janeane Garofalo, John Doe, Conchata Ferrell,
Mason Adams, Breckin Meyer, Anthony Zerbe.
Trap:TOUCH
is a comedy about a saint in the secular world. Juvenal, a former monk
(Ulrich) who returns from seven years in a Brazilian monastery to work
in an LA rehab center attached to a Catholic church. As rumors about him
(stigmata, miraculous healing) begin to circulate, he attracts the attention
of the usual collection of screwballs, hustlers and opportunists who more
typically populate the novels of Elmore Leonard (GLITZ, GET SHORTY). Chief
among these are Bill Hill (Walken), a former evangelist turned RV salesman,
who sees him as his ticket to the big time and August Murray (Arnold),
the head of an ultra-conservative Catholic group who sees him as a sign
from God to return the Church to its traditional roots – as well as Lynn
Faulkner (Fonda) a cynical young woman who once was an assistant of Hill’s,
who ends up falling in love with him. Now, Paul Schrader is probably not
the first person who comes to mind when it comes to comedy, being known
for writing and/or directing such downbeat fare as TAXI DRIVER, RAGING
BULL, AMERICAN GIGOLO, and THE COMFORT OF STRANGERS; so to find him directing
a comic caper film like this is a bit of a surprise. What’s more of a surprise,
though, is that he actually manages to pull it off.
Bluesy:
He does more than pull it off. I feel like giving Paul Schrader a special
award… one for finally giving movie-goers something worth their $8.50.
I have to say that TOUCH
is the first good – no, GREAT film I’ve seen this year. If the rest of
the year gives us movies like this, I might start believing that some authentic
faith healer laid his hand on those running the film industry. Not only
are we served some of the wittiest dialogue (thanks to Elmore Leonard and
Schrader’s carefully crafted adaption), some of the dryest humor (Walken’s
delivery, as always, is a stand-out), a terrific musical score, a faced
paced, credible and perpetually twisting plot; but I also got to watch
the very talented and extremely hunky Skeet Ulrich, who looks cross between
Johnny Depp and James Dean… with a body. I am simply in heaven.
Trap: Well,
I don’t know -- I think "great" is pushing it. I thought it meandered
a bit toward the middle, but I’ll admit it’s still extremely enjoyable.
The light touch rarely falters and it has a consistent, slightly off-kilter
charm that always keeps you looking forward to the next scene. Schrader’s
films have always been about searching for grace in unlikely places. And
although in the past this has usually meant finding it as the result of
some cathartic burst of violence, here it comes more as a gentle acknowledging
of one’s humanity, foibles and all – so perhaps it’s not so odd that the
man who made a spiritual film about a drug dealer (LIGHT SLEEPER) would
end up making a comedy about a saint.
Bluesy: Speaking
of which, funny how this film is being released on the heels of MICHAEL…
TOUCH
is a far better handling of the subject of a real life saint with some
real life carnal desires. Just for example, the scene where Bridget Fonda’s
character awkwardly tries to find out if the ex-monk, present miracle man
is… er available, is funny, while not being condescending to the material.
That’s another thing I really liked about this film, everyone actually
says the things people would say, given this incredulous situation – or
rather, everyone says the things we all WISH we could’ve said if we were
in their shoes.
Trap:
A lot of the credit for this goes to the film’s eclectic cast. Even people
I don’t usually care for, such as Arnold, are so perfect for their roles
that it’s hard to imagine anyone else doing anywhere near as good a job.
Everyone seems to be enjoying themselves immensely, and it’s hard not to
get caught up in the enthusiasm
Bluesy: I
agree, Arnold, Davidovich, Gershon and Mazursky all were very fun to watch
in, what could’ve been very stereotypical roles… except this time, they
managed to take those stereotypes and really have some fun with them –
like the stripper with the heart of gold (only she doesn’t), the magazine
reporter who really cares (she doesn’t), the corrupt music producer out
for a quick buck (okay, so he is). It should also be said that Bridget
Fonda gave a fine performance as Ulrich’s love interest… not to mention
seeming perfectly comfortable in a itty bitty apron nothing else.
Trap: Well,
don’t forget that when you make popcorn, you have to watch out for flying
grease – so doubtless this was the producers way of demonstrating that
she is an intelligent and sensible young woman – and not merely a means
of getting in some gratuitous semi-nudity. At least that’s my story and
I’m going to stick with it.
Bluesy: And
a fine story it is. As is TOUCH…
and on that note, Happy Valentines Day, Trap.
Trap:
Yeah, whatever. Um, I mean, Happy Valentine’s day to you, too.
