Familiar Touch

Writer-director Sarah Friedland has accomplished an extraordinary character portrait of an older woman entering a new chapter in her life, experiencing "a coming of age" we haven't seen before on the big screen. Memory loss and dementia is often described and presented as tragedy but what "Familiar Touch" shows us is that appreciation for beauty, sensual joy, creative discovery, and abundant humor persist. Lead actress Kathleen Chalfant is luminous in the role, capable of conveying the quicksilver changes of her character's circumstances with enormous grace and subtlety. I look forward to seeing the film again; this is a story that asks (and deserves) our careful attention and open hearts.

Every so often, a film comes along that feels like it's been cobbled together from bits and pieces of other movies you've seen. Familiar Touch is exactly that kind of film: a tedious, uninspired, and ultimately forgettable cinematic experience. It's a movie that tries to pass off well-worn tropes and lazy storytelling as something meaningful, but what we're left with is a film that drags from start to finish. Though there are moments of decent acting, they are undermined by a woefully predictable script and direction that feels more like an afterthought. A major flaw of Familiar Touch lies in its direction, which is as lifeless as the script. The pacing is uneven at best and downright agonizing at worst. Scenes that should be brief and punchy are unnecessarily drawn out, while more significant moments are rushed, leaving no room for emotional impact or character development. It's clear the director is unsure of how to create a compelling scene. Attempts at building emotional resonance often result in awkward silences and overlong shots that add nothing but time to an already dragging runtime.

Furthermore, the camera work is flat and uninspired. There's a sense that the director was going through the motions without a clear vision or understanding of cinematic language. Close-up shots, meant to capture intimate or intense moments, feel overused and invasive, while wide shots of supposedly scenic backdrops lack any visual flair or symbolic depth. Even scenes that are intended to create tension-whether through dramatic confrontations or quiet moments of introspection-feel stale and without energy. Ultimately, Familiar Touch is a forgettable film that fails in almost every way. The direction is uninspired, the script is derivative, and the pacing is excruciatingly slow. While the cast does its best to salvage something from the wreckage, their performances are not enough to overcome the film's many shortcomings. It's one of those movies that leaves you wondering how it was made in the first place-why no one along the production line noticed the glaring problems and took steps to fix them.

I had the pleasure of seeing this at the Venice Film Festival, where I could feel the audience's captivation with the film. I found the central concept of a "coming of (old) age" film to be compelling, new, and beautifully handled. Friedland's directing is subtle, precise. Kathleen Chalfant's performance is completely astonishing, and the pairing of director and actor felt really, really right: a scene where Chalfant simply walks down the hallway transforms (with a few key choices of lighting, editing) into something completely magical. The care and love with which the film handles even minor characters was moving. Friedland conveys so much, so deeply through quiet, deceptively simple moments. A new director to watch!

I had the great pleasure of seeing "Familiar Touch" at the Venice Biennale and I was blown away by Friedland's self-assured directing and beautiful cinematography. Each frame is carefully wrought with the most exquisite light. There's no rush in the unraveling of the story; it's patient, quiet, and true-to-life. Chalfant's performance is masterful. I could not take my eyes off her. She is at the top her craft, never missing a beat, never giving us a false note. The manner she inhabits the character is remarkable: with total honesty and commitment. I offer my deepest congratulations to the filmmaker, actors, and crew.

Having a family member with dementia can be very difficult, as this illness affects over 55 million people worldwide. It is a terminal condition with no known cure, making it hard to watch loved one's struggle. Many individuals have their own experiences with dementia either working with an individual with dementia or having a family member who has dementia. For example, my girlfriend's father passed away with dementia. However, Sarah Friedland's film "Familiar Touch" is a powerful example of the struggle of a person with dementia from a caregiver's perspective or someone looking from the outside in.

This is Sarah's directorial debut, and she's telling the story of Ruth, a woman who must move into a care home because her son and doctors believe she can no longer live independently. The film shows Ruth's journey as she alternates between resisting this change and accepting her new life. Despite her mental decline, she tries to prove that she is still capable. "Familiar Touch" is a drama without suspense that expresses care and empathy. It portrays the challenges of dementia without diminishing the experience to clichés. Instead of depicting care homes as cold places, the film creates a warm and loving environment, emphasizing the importance of dignity and self-awareness for the residents. Dealing with dementia and the feeling of isolation can make anyone feel alone. However, the film is not just about these struggles; it's a character study that avoids all the sad emotions, focusing instead on the daily life of Ruth in the care facility. Kathleen Chalfant's performance as Ruth is exceptional. She captures the character's depth and complexity without relying on narration or flashbacks, allowing the audience to connect with her through gestures and expressions. Her performance feels genuine in a non-acting way. Despite the serious subject matter, "Familiar Touch" is heartwarming. The director focuses on Ruth's everyday moments, making the story feel authentic. The film is more about the journey of acceptance rather than a traditional plot, making real-life portrayal on screen. "Familiar Touch" offers a compassionate perspective on dementia, celebrating the resilience of those affected by it. The film is filled with heart, humor, and a deep understanding of human experience, making it a beautiful and uplifting exploration of a challenging issue.

The film was showing at Lincoln Center, and the tickets were free. I decided to take my girlfriend because her dad just passed away from dementia. I thought the film would be a good fit for her because of the struggles she had with her father. During the film I noticed my girlfriend getting emotional because she never looked at dementia from the perspective of the person going through it. After the film I asked my girlfriend what she thought about the movie. "Her reply was It saddened her when Ruth's family was talking about her in past tense just because she was in a facility. It's like they are killing her off while still being alive. That's part of the reason my family never decided to put my father in a home and cared for him until the day he passed." Which is how some families do forget that they exist until they get that phone call. On the other hand, some nursing facilities for the elderly normally have a bad reputation for the treatment of their patients. However, the facility Ruth was in was very on hand with the patients and treatment with the upmost respect. The movie was shot at the Bella Vista Nursing Home in Los Angeles, California for patients suffering from dementia. They filmed actual patients during group activities and incorporated them in the film.

Familiar Touch showcases the perspectives from the individual's point of view and from a caregiver's point of view. The effects of dementia on both sides and how they can help each other get through it. I'm glad her disability wasn't the main focal point and nobody in the movie treated Ruth's character as such. Referring to the movie "Code of Freaks" a movie that emphasizes how films put the person's disability first instead of person to make a storyline this film doesn't. After the film there was a Q&A with the film's director Sarah Friedland and the main character Ruth played by Kathleen Chalfant's. They answered questions about the film and how the film came about. Friedland experiences as a caregiver for a person with dementia inspired her to write this film. So, it was inspired from her own personal experience. The movie Familiar Touch is worth the hour and thirty minutes out my daily life. I enjoyed the funny moments they had and the fact that people with dementia were actors in the film. Upon leaving I noticed I had to pay 64.00 dollars for two hours in Lincoln Center which is ridiculous. But what's crazier is none of the card machines were working. So, I kindly beat the fare and went out together with a van.

Shhhhh don't tell anybody!!!!!!

Aurora Martin.