Touch Blu-ray Review

The Touch's worldwide Blu-ray debut showcases an AVC encoded 1080p presentation, stemming from a new 2K restoration of the original 35mm interpositive, displayed in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio. This transfer honors director Schrader's vision, embodying the film's low-budget constraints and tight filming schedule by presenting images that are intentionally soft, focusing on the earthy and muted tones of 90s American life. These choices reflect the film’s aesthetic preferences for subdued colors and naturalistic settings, contributing to its realistic portrayal. Grain structure is well-managed throughout, maintaining the filmic texture without overshadowing details. Although not aiming for the eye-catching vibrancy of contemporary restorations, the color grading is proficient, ensuring that primaries are balanced and skin tones are natural, with particular attention paid to capturing the nuances of different lighting conditions, from the dimly lit interiors to more brightly lit exteriors.

Detail levels in this restoration are deliberately moderate, a choice that underscores the film’s narrative and stylistic intentions. Finer details in skin textures and costumes are discernible, albeit not as sharp as found in higher-budget productions or those benefiting from more elaborate restorative efforts. The preservation of grain supports the film's original look, avoiding an overpolished appearance while ensuring that scenes retain a consistent visual depth. The meticulous encoding handles both indoor and outdoor scenes adeptly, with a high bitrate enhancing exterior shots more noticeably than its interior counterparts. Despite these technical decisions, the presentation successfully conveys the intended atmosphere and character of Schrader's work.

Moreover, the digital source appears to be in commendable condition given the film's age and production limitations, with minimal noticeable damage or judder, an achievement that merits recognition. The color palette, favoring more natural and less vibrant hues, plays a significant role in establishing the film's mood. From the distinctive blood reds to the varied greens of outdoor scenes, the restoration team at Cinématographe has effectively managed to recreate the intended visual narrative of “Touch,” providing an authentic experience that respects the filmmaker's vision while delivering a technically sound presentation to viewers and aficionados of this 90s gem.

Touch's audio presentation on Blu Ray, despite a discrepancy between the packaging's promise of a 5.1 theatrical soundtrack and its actual 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix, delivers a notable auditory experience. The clarity of the mix is immediately apparent, particularly during dialogue exchanges where each word can be discerned with ease, even through the more subtle and quiet moments designed to convey intimacy between characters. This clear reproduction extends to the guitar-driven score by Dave Grohl, which benefits from sharp instrumentation and a freshness that complements the film's narrative well. The mix does well to transport the listener to various settings and community events throughout the film, making effective use of atmospherics to add depth to the overall audio presentation.

The DTS-HD MA 2.0 track mirrors the film's video quality in its high standard, presenting an audio experience that, while lacking in the expected bass-heavy LFE performance due to its 2.0 limitation, does not falter in delivering clarity and stability in dialogue. It's worth noting that Grohl’s sparse yet impactful score is resolved with commendable clarity, ensuring that the emotional and thematic undertones of the soundtrack are not lost amidst spoken words. Despite these strengths, the absence of a true 5.1 surround soundtrack as suggested might disappoint some audiophiles looking for a more immersive audio experience.

In summary, Touch's Blu Ray audio presentation strikes a balance between clarity, detailed sound mixing, and faithful music representation within the constraints of a 2.0 DTS-HD MA track. While it may not deliver the full aural depth that some might expect from a more robust 5.1 surround setup, it ensures that dialogue, music, and environmental sounds are presented with precision and clarity, offering a satisfying listening experience that supports the film's visual storytelling effectively.

The Blu-ray extra presentation for "Touch" stands out as a meticulously curated assortment tailored for aficionados of Paul Schrader's cinema. Featuring a comprehensive bounty of supplementary material, this edition shines a spotlight on Schrader's unique filmmaking vision and the critical reassessment of one of his less lauded works. Noteworthy is the inclusion of a 40-page booklet with essays from esteemed critics and filmmakers, offering varied insights that evade repetition and enrich the viewer’s understanding of the film. The detailed commentary by film historian Howard S. Berger and filmmaker Steve Mitchell, alongside a compelling visual essay and a candid interview with Schrader himself, provide an in-depth exploration of the creative process behind "Touch." The thorough assembly of these extras reflects Cinématographe's commitment to elevating the appreciation of Schrader's filmography, serving both as an educational resource and a tribute to the director's enduring influence in cinema.

Extras included in this disc:

• Booklet: Essays by Bilge Ebiri, Chris Cabin, and Cosmo Bjorkenheim.
• Commentary: With filmmaker Steve Mitchell and film historian Howard S. Berger.
• Shelf Life: A video interview with writer/director Paul Schrader.
• Something Approaching Confrontation: A visual essay by Daniel Kremer.
• Theatrical Trailer.

Paul Schrader's 1997 movie "Touch," based on Elmore Leonard's novel, presents a challenging narrative, merging themes of faith, love, and exploitation in a way that echoes the inconsistencies often found in Schrader's directorial efforts. The film's ambition to adapt Leonard’s work—considered by many as underdeveloped and lacking convincing characters—into a compelling cinematic experience is evident. However, the execution stumbles, failing to keep the various tonal elements and character arcs engaging throughout its runtime. The story follows Bill Hill (Christopher Walken), a former evangelist, as he encounters Juvenal (Skeet Ulrich), a miraculous healer and former Franciscan monk, which sets off a series of events involving love, zealotry, and the thirst for exploiting Juvenal’s gifts.

Schrader’s portrayal of religious exploitation within contemporary American society aims to be both a serious examination and a subdued seriocomedy but often lands in a tonally incongruous middle ground. The romantic subplot between Juvenal and record promoter Lynn Faulkner (Bridget Fonda) aims to add depth but suffers from a lack of chemistry and awkward staging. Christopher Walken adds a necessary vigor to the proceedings, playing Bill with an energy that partially compensates for the film's pacing and narrative issues. Tom Arnold’s August Murray introduces a more vivid character dynamic, providing one of the more engaging elements of the movie through his aggressive pursuit of traditional values.

Despite these struggles, "Touch" showcases moments of genuine intrigue and complexity, particularly in its exploration of the ways individuals seek to manipulate and profit from genuine miracles. Schrader’s attempt at navigating the nuanced territory between skepticism and belief, alongside the human behaviors surrounding Juvenal’s abilities, offers fleeting glimpses into what could have been a more consistently compelling film. Unfortunately, these moments are overshadowed by the film’s overall failure to harmoniously balance its elements, resulting in a presentation that is less a cohesive exploration of its themes and more a collection of missed opportunities.

"Touch" emerges in its Blu-ray incarnation as both a testament to its era and a reminder of the complexities that surround adaptations of idiosyncratic novels into cinema. The film itself, an attempt by Paul Schrader to navigate the nuanced territory of satire and sobering commentary, oscillates between the potential for depth in its exploration of themes like purpose and the trappings of fame, and the pitfalls of an execution that veers into the settings of mundane absurdity. The feature, characterized by a noteworthy score by Dave Grohl that promises more than the narrative delivers, struggles with pacing and a resolution that feels more accidental than conclusive. Such aspects indicate a potentially turbulent editing phase or a struggle in translating the book’s essence onto the screen. The cinematographic critique suggests an endeavor that, while ambitious, ultimately lands as underwhelming due to its failure to fully capitalize on its thematic and satirical ambitions.

Cinématographe's Blu-ray release of "Touch" provides a fresh lens through which to appreciate this curious piece of Schrader's directorial journey. The 2K restoration markedly accentuates the film’s earthy color palette, enhancing the viewing experience and giving it a visual refresh that underscores its thematic intentions. Additionally, the addition of extensive supplemental material adds layers of understanding and appreciation for the challenging nature of the project. These features offer invaluable historical and critical insights, framing "Touch" in a context that may elevate it from a misunderstood misstep to a piece of cinematic curiosity worth revisiting.

In conclusion, while "Touch" remains a divisive element within Paul Schrader's oeuvre, the Blu-ray release challenges viewers to re-evaluate it amidst newfound technical polish and rich contextual offerings. Despite the film's apparent narrative and tonal dissonance, this edition serves as a critical vehicle for reassessment, emphasizing potential where once there might have been disappointment. It stands as a compelling invitation to explore the intricacies of adaptation and directorial vision, making it a recommendable acquisition for those inclined toward cinema that prompts discussion and re-evaluation.