Touches You

good back-story, and good acting

What begins as a feel-good-human-interest story turns into a mystery, then a tragedy, and ultimately an outrage.

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

I love this movie...best movie I have seen ... last 5 years... just brilliant... epic black comedy masterpiece... highly recommend.... There are so many things I like about this movie... a young woman possible having Aspergers trying to figure out who she is... thinking she could find herself in her new marriage... realizing that marrying a beer drinking sports guy ... who hangs out with football playing friends he has had since childhood... along with the cheerleader girls... then she gets divorced and goes punk...and the contrast between going punk and the yuppies...just brilliant.... Go Punk USA !!! and how healing that is. If ever have major heartbreak from any relationship..the best medicine is to heal with music... best yet "Punk Music" !! Where everyone is just rebellious and having fun in the process. Music is the magic that heals ones broken heart to heal again... listening... singing... dancing... partying ... celebrating... to the music... be the music... be free....

The opening scene, as is mentioned in many reviews, is not the "hook" they intended, and you might click your Roku back to Menu, but give it a chance and this film will break your heart. It's so real and true, I've met all these people, I've even been some of them. The directing is subtle and jumps around like a mosaic, but I got it. And the awkwardness is well done. This is a terrible comparison, but think of the silent, awkward moments in The Office. Instead of being funny, these situations are so cruel but so real and familiar that you believe them. We've all encountered these things at some point, but here, no one steps in for the downtrodden protagonist. She's left out in the cold over and over again. It's one of those films you stay with until the end of the credits.

I can be a bit squeamish about this or that, so the first 10 minutes or so of this film made me wonder what I was getting into, but I was soon deeply involved in poor Maris' sheltered life. It is a journey and I loved watching every darkly funny moment of it. Yes, the film is low- budget but the writing - the three acts, the dramatic arc - is all there. There is actually falling action and a full resolution after the horrifying climax. I was giggling at Maris, sad for Maris, laughing with Maris, cheering for Maris, fearing for Maris...and I won't spoil the ending, which I loved. I also loved her sugar-addicted friend. Please take this film to be very much like the very early days of independent film, where locals could be found in the background and local artists made cameos. If you liked "Scumrock" or other films like that, then you'll like this film. Honestly, I'm troubled by the poor reviews of this film because I think it handles the very important subject of how we treat people who don't fall in what we consider the mainstream - from women, to artists, to people of color. Perhaps it takes on some parts of this subject on more than others, but it's only one movie. I also really liked some of the humor with ominous sound, when cutting to shots that showed the small town/pre-fab housing tableaux, for example. Lots of fun moments in this film. Again, I do not understand why people are giving this film a bad review. As someone who is a life-long film watcher (films from all over the world, both big and small budget) and as someone with many friends who work in film, I see this film as nothing but a success. Perhaps the people reviewing the work have some other motives in mind.

The characterization is VERY entertaining. Dawn is hilarious! My favorite line, 'I don't like people who are alternative,". Meris makes you pitiful...its such an amazing range, no other film has ever had such amazing characters. Katie O'Grady did a beautiful job, she's a natural actress. James Westby, a popular local filmmaker, took an extra step ahead to create this film. No other film competes on this level. Its very unique and portrays a different style of filmmaking. It makes me feel the way Meris is feeling, awkward, sad...angry. Thats how great it is, watching it is like a roller-coaster of emotions.IT WAS A LEGIT RIDE! Taking my friends when it comes out... Is it coming out..? thanks for having me to the screening.