‘Familiar Touch’ Review: An Exquisite Study of Living With Dementia That Puts Its Perspective In the Right Place

As a movie buff with a penchant for poignant stories that explore the human condition, I can wholeheartedly endorse “Familiar Touch”. This film, like a delicate dish of salmon and cream cheese on toast, offers a flavorful blend of emotions that leaves you both comforted and challenged.

For an octogenarian widow named Ruth, this potential new relationship appears promising. The man is younger, friendly, and works in the field of sustainable architecture, although she momentarily struggles to recall his name. In preparation for their date, she prepares her favorite brunch – salmon and cream cheese on toast artfully arranged with a sprinkle of fresh herbs. Later, he surprises her with a trip, but the experience is marred by the overly soothing demeanor of the hotel staff and being referred to as his mother. “I’m not a mother,” she insists. “I didn’t have children.” This encounter is filled with awkwardness and poignancy – a delicate balance that Sarah Friedland masterfully maintains throughout her impressive debut film, “Familiar Touch,” which spans 91 minutes in length and delves deeply into its subject matter.

Viewers will likely understand ahead of time that Ruth, skillfully portrayed by Kathleen Chalfant, is being admitted to Bella Vista, a high-end assisted living facility not too far from her beloved, memory-filled suburban Los Angeles home. In essence, it might as well be another world entirely. Her companion is actually her son, Steven (H. Jon Benjamin), who hands her over to the nursing staff with tear-stained eyes that seem poised to overflow the moment he’s out of sight. It’s not a surprise attack; Ruth has been informed and even given approval for this place. Yet as she looks around her sterile, beige room, she can’t help but feel that her life has been taken away from her, thrust into an unfamiliar and potentially hostile environment, despite the warm welcomes extended by her new caregiver Vanessa (Carolyn Michelle).

Debuting in Venice’s Orizzonti sidebar, “Familiar Touch” has generated anticipation with upcoming festival screenings and potential distributor interest. The film joins a growing list of productions such as “The Father,” “Relic,” and “Dick Johnson is Dead,” that sensitively tackle the complexities and hardships associated with dementia. Unlike many films, which either simplify the issue in typical movie-of-the-week style or employ confusing psychological manipulation, “Familiar Touch” adopts a unique approach. It’s a character study structured in a straightforward manner, yet it’s neither overly sentimental nor exploitative. The film distinguishes itself by giving significant focus to Ruth’s viewpoint, portraying her not as a victim or patient, but as the intelligent, capable woman she still perceives herself to be.

In Bella Vista, Ruth seems to encounter a sense of déjà vu, with “Familiar Touch” shaping up like a story from her past where she’s the fish out of water – it feels like starting at a new school where she’s yet to understand the social dynamics and distinguish friends from an overwhelming crowd of unknown faces. At times, she appears to lose track of her current location, resorting to various tactics to shield herself from vulnerability – such as referring to Vanessa and Dr. Brian (Andy McQueen) as friends instead of helpers.

Occasionally, I find myself slipping back into the past entirely, especially in the kitchen at this place. As a seasoned chef, I step into the kitchen like it’s my old diner, feeling most comfortable when I hold a chef’s knife in my hand. For one morning at least, my fellow residents are treated to an upgraded breakfast.

Friedland’s script, subtly portraying Ruth, vividly illustrates her character in her earlier years – a woman who was similar yet distinct from the proud, caring, self-reliant person she is today. Despite this, others often fail to recognize her in the same light. Vanessa, skillfully played by Michelle, presents a steady source of practical empathy and understanding, though at times, the facade of professionalism fades as she looks upon Ruth with a poignant sadness that mirrors a daughter grappling with her own parental struggles. Ruth isn’t oblivious to the emotions and lives of others, yet she finds it challenging to construct complete stories beyond her own experiences.

Despite subtly tackling the bitter wit associated with memory loss and the challenges of aging, “Familiar Touch” steers clear of stereotypical “senior moments” humor. Similarly, Chalfant’s performance avoids portraying Ruth as a comedic prop or tragic figure. Known for her exceptional work in theater, Chalfant skillfully depicts Ruth’s fluctuating states of mind with a delicate touch, her facial expressions sometimes lined with concern and her body tensed from the struggle to maintain control over her thoughts and speech.

At various moments, she lightens up and relaxes with a sense of relief as intuitive feelings or memories resurface within her – nostalgic glimpses from her past sweeping over her as she swims in the therapeutic pool, hesitantly dances with her son, or is given recipe notebooks bearing her own handwriting. Friedland’s film, both crisp and gentle, captures not only the fear of losing a familiar life, but also the sporadic, piecemeal happiness that comes with finding it again.

2024-09-07 16:24

‘Familiar Touch’ Review: An Exquisite Study of Living With Dementia That Puts Its Perspective In the Right Place

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