D'amour et de courage

Such an important theme like AIDS is here shown in a light mood. We see no strong scenes, but we get the message. It may be seen as an alert by many people. If it does, we all understand how bad and dangerous AIDS can be.

The cast is good and the direction competent. Watching "Touch Me" (the title of the movies says it all) is seeing a good movie.

I had no idea what this movie was about before I watched it and I have to say that I really liked it. I thought that the story was told in a very interesting way. The AIDS storyline is rarely told from an heterosexual perspective (philadelphia, etc...) I liked the fact that it wasn't just a dramatic movie but that there was also romance in it.

I thought that the cast was incredible and the chemistry between Amanda Peet and Michael Vartan was great. I didn't know any of the actors before but I have definitely seen talent in this movie. Although the story is a bit slow at times and some might say contains some clichés, in general this movie is very good. Who said clichés have to be a bad thing? In this case I think that what one might say is superficial, was actually done intentionally. I recommand this movie to everyone. Amanda Peet is amazing in it!

I've just watched this movie on YouTube in April, 2025. As a male, I can't resist that face of a young Amanda Peet.

But more seriously, it is now about 25+ years since HIV Positive (and even AIDS) stopped being a death sentence. This movie was made right about the time the ART drug cocktail started effectively turning the corner. So, it served as a poignant reminder to me there was a time it was almost always debilitating and frequently fatal. That alone makes it worth watching to be solemnly reminded of that.

The romance is not Hallmark, but rather a trial and tribulation version. Amanda Peet and Michael Vartan deliver well on both the chemistry and simultaneous angst of romance under the scripted circumstance. I would have liked more time scripted for their interaction as a couple, especially at the end. But, overall, a poignant story, and a chemistry-correct romance under a trying circumstance.

This is a touching movie starrting two hotties before their prime. Amanda Peet displays her prowess as a woman diagnosed with HIV who has just begun a new relationship with Michael Vartan. Vartan exposes his sensitivity by not running scared, but by continuing to pursue a relationship.

Touch me is a very interesting film as it takes on the topic of aids in a sympathetic and sensitive manner. Indeed, the first third of the film looks just like a listless stock t.v. romance. The film is distinctly clunky along the way and the substance of Vartan's character is the same as that of the Cutty Sark.

But where the film really starts to kick in and grab you, is when Peet's character finds out she might be infected by a previous boyfriend. This subverts the misguided stereotype that Aids is not a heterosexual issue and takes us into new territory. People in films want to see something new, something truthful and this film does this. Wow, what a challenging role this is for Amanda Peet to take on, few actors would have done this role. The somewhat cheesy romance is put on the back burner which is for the better while we focus on Peet and her experience of trials and tribulations of medical examinations and support groups.

The way the support group is introduced is terrific and the acting of the members of the group is great, particularly Irene Cara (remember her?) who is really ballsy. Peet's character was isolated but now is no longer alone. After passing through every possible tortured emotion, she reaches some kind of acceptance of her condition. Vartan's character loves her and has learnt there is more to life than money.(Cheesy, but hey)

If someone thought they might have aids or who knew someone who did, and they saw this film it would be of great benefit. And this is why this movie is worth seeking out.