Touched with Fire

source: Touched with Fire

I mean, come on! This film is a realistic and confronting, yet poetic and philosophical exploration of the challenges, problems and abuses eccentric, gifted people face in a society that is prejudiced and hostile against what it perceives as strange and threatening, because it fears what it reflects back, and this film shows the full tragedy of this cruel denial and rejection, but also the great beauty of authenticity, creativity and courage, for which it deserves a lot more recognition and appreciation than it got, so from me it gets a 9/10 rating.

Katie Holmes plays a manic depressive poet named Carla who meets Marco, played by Luke Kirby, in a psychiatric hospital. Both suffering from Bipolar disorder they find a connection in poetry and alien conspiracy in their manic states. At it's center the film looks at the relationship between mania and creativity and the pros and cons of the mental illness, bipolar disorder. The strength of the film lay in it's characters and direction. Writer/director Paul Dalio creates two characters who are relatable in their humanity, even if you don't suffer from mental illness. Luke Kirby's performance is solid as well as supporting actors Christine Lahti and Griffin Dunne. Unfortunately, some faults lay in star Katie Holmes, as much as she seems to be really trying, she comes across as a little unbelievable at moments although she does perform passably. The pace is a little crooked at times but the on screen dynamic between the two stars really pulls the viewer in and lets us understand the way they see the world. six and a half stars.

For 20 years I have been conflicted with the validity of being diagnosed bi-polar. By chance, I caught this film on TV. I didn't see much connection while I watched it, but the next morning, I started thinking about the movie and my past experiences/difficulties,and I started crying. It was a near perfect match being that I am more manic than depressive and the movie shows what bi-polar mania looks on someone. It was refreshing to be able to relate. I have since excepted my diagnosis, because I now know it to be true inside myself.

It felt like it's promoting for such kind of love. There's been times during the film where I was like "I want to experience a love like that". I rarely watch romance unless there is an idea behind it and this film was radical, a ball of energy, and actually enjoyable.

Touched with Fire was a whirlwind of a film to watch. Although it had its brief moments that pumped its audience with adrenaline, the story dragged for the rest of the show time. The film centers around two writers suffering from an episode of the condition they both share: bipolar disorder. They meet as patients in the psych hospital they are being treated at. Carla is a mysterious and quiet poet who is tricked into committing herself into the hospital by her psychiatrist. Marco- a rebellious songwriter- is committed against his will after a night of mania and foolish acts. As the two attempt to accept their treatment, they grow a bond that widens their hearts but threatens their mental health. The performances was probably one of the aspects of the film that boosted the film's quality, but Katie Holmes acts more like she is high on drug which has the purpose to release you of stress rather than a sufferer of bipolar. Although many praised her performance in the feature, I found it lifeless and tedious. Luke Kirby shines as Marco and portrays both the aggressive and humane aspects of his character. His performance brought out the accurate feelings, sorrows and artistic abilities of a bipolar sufferer. One of my problems with the film was that the plot was disorganized and many events that occurred didn't seem to match the puzzle of the story.There was certain repetition of each event and many 'Romeo and Juliet' moments. These moments included the parents of both characters telling them they couldn't be together, them running away , being found and the cycle occurring a few more times. Despite the disorganized plot, Touched With Fire does display bipolar disorder to a superb degree. The characters are written accurately and aren't displayed by any false stereotypical means. Touched with Fire is worth watching due to the important message it spreads about an illness everyone thinks they know-but they really don't. 7 out of 10 stars.

Carla Lucia (Katie Holmes) is a struggling poet. Her mother Sara suggests going to check out her files at the hospital. Marco (Luke Kirby) is a borderline hoarder. His father George finds him in a mess after he stopped taking his medication. He is picked up by the cops. Carla and Marco end up in the psychiatric hospital together. It's intriguing as a character study of these two with mental issues. It's less appealing as a romance. His troubled nature makes it more difficult. Their instability makes the movie a rambling journey. Katie Holmes provides a good performance. She doesn't have to be the cute spunky girl which allows her to stretch. There is some good work here even if it doesn't all pull together.

Wow. How did I miss hearing about this movie? In the past, Katie Holmes has been hit and miss with her acting mainly due to miscasting, but here she is spot on---watch closely. Great to see her giving a masterful performance. The acting alone by both Holmes and Luke Kirby kept me watching to the end. Subject matter is a bit of a downer but fascinatingly portrayed. (Although not the focus of the plot, the movie illustrates what daily lives of people suffering from manic-depressive disorder can be like, both from trying to hold down jobs to their uncontrollable thirst for highs. And the movie succeeds in showing how even psychologically unbalanced individuals are able to fall in love.) It's the best movie on manic-depressive disorder since 'Mr. Jones' (Richard Gere, Lena Olin--which I also highly recommend for the acting!). I hope Holmes is recognized for her excellent work here.

It's hard to give a positive review of a film, where all of the characters depicted are rather horrible people, especially during the final third of the film. But it has good intentions, the director is trying to express his life experiences on screen, so you cannot help but show a little empathy toward the main character and his struggles. Two poets with bipolar disorder meet in a psychiatric facility, and embark on a passionate artistic partnership..... From the upstart, the film oozes pretentiousness from every one of it's cinematic pores, and although the film does show slight signs of humour, it's a very depressing affair that shouts doom and gloom for its duration. Kirby plays the Bi-polar Romeo to Holmes' Juliet, and when they are not waxing art/philosophy, they are getting hassle from their parents about what they should and shouldn't do....several times during the film. It gets to the point where you want to climb into the scene and tell the parents to let them get on with it. Yes, there are a couple of instances where they endanger their lives (the highlight of the film), but as the film progresses, their illness begins to alleviate, so antagonising the two would only exacerbate things wouldn't they? Holmes is great, and it's a wonder why she isn't in more films, she carries the film, even if she delivers the biggest insult in the final third, and this is where the film fails. Spoilers ahead....... Holmes appears to get better, and return to a form of normality. So what would be the best thing to do? Anybody would stand by their man, as they have had first hand knowledge into his illness, and identify traits associated with it. Nope, she leaves the first chance she gets, and then they release a book together. And this is what ruined the film for me. She is such a caring person for the majority of the film, and for her own selfish reasons, decides to uproot and go. Yes, there maybe a chance that his behaviour could 'reignite' her illness, but isn't where true love conquers all? Or can't people with mental health problems have true love? the final act really vexed me, and guess what, the family come back and kick him while he's down....yet again. Although it's very well acted, and has a dream, almost Vanilla Sky-esque feel to it, the final third just ruins it.

i just saw the movie ..and i can deeply relate.. We're often told love is a form of madness.. and its true..BPD are people with third degree burns over 90% of their bodies. Lacking emotional skin, they feel agony at the slightest touch or movement.Having Borderline feels like eternal Hell. Never knowing how they going to feel from one minute to the next. Hurting because they hurt those people who they love.It is hard to be accused of manipulation when really it's a scream for love Believe me its hard to be in love with with a BPD person there are able to instantly drop all their feelings for somebody who meant the world to them moments before..] ..i can relate..i have been there.. They can crush your insides every time with cruel words and behavior .. but you know deep down they love you.. more than anyone else who's ever loved you ..