Review by John Delia
“Bipolar Disorder: any of several psychological disorders of mood characterized usually by alternating episodes of depression and mania —called also manic depression, manic-depressive illness†Merriam-Webster Dictionary
It’s an odd way to start out a film review with a dictionary definition, but apropos with the movie Touched With Fire, a drama dealing with the psychological problem that alters the life of two poets. Written and director by Paul Dalio and taken from true experiences, gives this production a keener perspective of the lives he portrays on the screen. Heartfelt and heartbreaking the movie provides the audience with the realism of the troubles that go with bipolar disorder.
The story opens with poet Carla Lucia (Katie Holmes) finishing a reading from her newest book “Faded†at a library gathering. Seemingly down from what she just read, she leaves the event in a bad mood. In another part of town Marco (Luke Kirby) makes his way through his darkened room to a hallway in his building where he plugs in an extension cord in the A/C outlet to bring some electricity to his apartment. In his room he lights up a marijuana cigarette.
Marco’s phone rings and George (Griffin Dunne) his father asks why his landlord informed him that the electricity has been cut off to the apartment. Marco tells him he’s going off the map, an expression of bailing out of society. That evening he entertains with rap lyrics at a night club under the name of Luna. Having stopped his medication, his performance shows his agitation.
After a misguided effort by Marco and Carla trying to work out their behavioral issues, the two end up in the same hospital psych ward and start to identify with each other. The film goes on from their showing their relationship at first as a collaborative friendship, then romantically while coping with their illness. Director Paul Dalio bravely looks at his life and brings it to the screen as Marco and Carla. Although circumstances may be different in some respect to his real life, the deep seeded feelings, emotions, transgressions, and passions are all translated realistically to the screen.
The acting by both Holmes and Kirby are terrific in the roles of these two souls that are fighting against their condition. Showing the chaotic side of bipolar, Kirby depicts Marco as lose cannon. He thinks the universe controls him, especially the moon. Whenever he makes a decision that’s not the social norm he blames it on the coming of the apocalypse. It’s an excuse for his bad behavior. He can’t come to grips with reality and acceptance of society’s rules, so he makes his own. Under Dalio’s direction we can see the debilitating effects of bipolar through Kirby’s fine acting skills.
Making her performance realistic and sometimes frightening Katie Holmes shows Carla as a woman spiraling down due to her bipolar condition. She’s lost in her poetry that has taken a dark emotional path far from the social norm. She wraps herself in this psychotic blanket pushing away her mother (in a nice performance by C Christine Lahti) and father thinking they are antagonists trying to control her. This by far is one of Katie’s best roles and she nails it.
Touched With Fire has been rated R by the MPAA for language, a disturbing image, brief sexuality and drug use.
FINAL ANALYSIS: A compelling film with fine performances. (B)
Additional Film Information:
Cast: Katie Holmes, Luke Kirby, Christine Lahti, Griffin Dunne and Bruce Altman
Directed and Written by: Paul Dalio
Genre: Drama
MPAA Rating: R for language, a disturbing image, brief sexuality and drug use
Running Time: 1 hr. 47 min.
Release Date: February 19, 2016
Distributed by: Roadside Attractions