‘Touched With Fire’ Contains a Different Perspective

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CHICAGO – How do you explain air? That is what our thoughts are, after all – carbon-based cells interacting with circumstantial environment, sending the “message.” What if those cells send the thought receiver something outside “normal”? This is the exploration in the new film ‘Touched With Fire.’

This is narrative fiction, but it brings out another side of the debate regarding the mental condition, and the judgement associated with it. The main characters in the film have Bipolar Disorder. Now, notice the word “disorder” – out of order, not orderly. The medical profession has defined the Bipolar condition is an anomaly. “Touched With Fire” seeks to take back the disorderly part of that definition, and doe it through the story of two people who take it to another place. There are clichés in the film, and scenes that were a bit too cute, but the writer/director Paul Dalio actually has Bipolar condition, and he does make a powerful statement regarding its perception in society – both in the inflicted and among the outside observers.

The story is about Carla (Katie Holmes) and Marco (Luke Kirby), two writers who has found success and dread under their Bipolar condition. Both simultaneously get to a point where their families have to step in (Christine Lahti and Bruce Altman for Carla, Griffin Dunne for Marco) and check them into a clinic. They meet there, and find a kindred spirit together, and fall in love.

Katie Holmes, Luke Kirby
Paint Your Palette Blue and Gray: Carla (Katie Holmes) and Marco (Luke Kirby) in ‘Touched With Fire’
Photo credit: Roadside Attractions

This love is star crossed, and once it is found out by the clinic they are separated. But outside those doors they find each other again, and convince their parents that the relationship could work. When they ramp it up together, in harmony with their condition, everything seems fine. But those elusive reactions in each consciousness begin to conspire against them. They will need to make decisions, despite their state of being, and because of it. 


There is a sensitivity and empathy in this film that promotes understanding of Bipolar condition – we all, for example, experience highs and lows. The thesis is about the highs, and the intense creativity that comes from it. Vincent van Gogh’s ‘The Starry Night,” one of the most famous paintings in the history of civilization, is an example of output during a manic high in the condition. In essence, the condition is what it is, how can they and we learn to live with it? 



The actor Luke Kirby – a relative unknown – is paired with Katie Holmes as the couple, and each of them do a stellar job of living the consciousness. Kirby has to do most of the heavy lifting, as his state seems to be more severe, but he never overplays it or is false in character. Holmes portrays Carla as more delicate and vulnerable, but also has her moments in the manic phases, and is held up as an example that is a different degree.


The supporting roles are interestingly cast. Christine Lahti and Griffin Dunne, both name actors from an earlier era, prove their worth again in portraying the difficulties that parents have who want the best for their children, but are pushed to wall by the fear and consequences of the “abnormality.” To get such a high level of interpreters in these roles added to the height of where this film chose to go, and it was a pleasure to see them on screen again.

Christine Lahti
Christine Lahti Emotes in a Tense Scene in ‘Touched With Fire’
Photo credit: Roadside Attractions

However – and really this is typical when thinking about commercial possibilities for such a subject – the story could not help using the co-stars, who are very easy-on-the-eyes, as props for moments of cutesy-ness that were glaring in the midst of the rest the message. Also, in the scenes at the clinic, the group therapy sessions are too much to take seriously. As a filmmaker, you have to go back to “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” to understand how group therapy should be filmed, and use it as a starting point. While I love the actress Annie Golden (“Hair”), I didn’t buy her for a second as a wacky older patient in the group.

Beyond all that though, lies a story that offers something for everybody, and something for everybody to think about. Who are we anyway, except – as the late great comedian Bill Hicks once said – viruses with shoes. The transmutations and experiences collide, the triggers inside us are tripped, who are we to judge anyone else?

CLICK HERE for the HollywoodChicago.com interview of writer/director Paul Dalio and actor Luke Kirby of “Touched With Fire.”

“Touched With Fire” opens in Chicagoland on February 19th – at the AMC River East 21 (322 E. Illinois, Chicago) and Landmark Renaissance Cinema (1850 2nd St., Highland Park). Limited release elsewhere, see local listings for theaters and show times. Featuring Luke Kirby, Katie Holmes, Christine Lahti, Bruce Altman and Griffin Dunne. Written and directed by Paul Dalio. Rated “R”

HollywoodChicago.com senior staff writer Patrick McDonald

By PATRICK McDONALD
Writer, Editorial Coordinator
HollywoodChicago.com
pat@hollywoodchicago.com

© 2016 Patrick McDonald, HollywoodChicago.com

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