Touch (1997)

When Juvenal, a presumed miracle worker, appears on the scene Bill Hill attempts to exploit him but his plans go astray with the untimely intervention of August Murray and the developing ... See full summary »

Director:

Paul Schrader

Writers:

Elmore Leonard (novel), Paul Schrader (screenplay)

Stars:

LL Cool J, Christopher Walken, Skeet Ulrich

3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
LL Cool J	...	Himself
Gina Gershon	...	Debra Lusanne
Conchata Ferrell	...	Virginia Worrel
John Doe	...	Elwin Worrel
Christopher Walken	...	Bill Hill
Skeet Ulrich	...	Juvenal / Charlie Lawson
María Celedonio	...	Alisha
Chris Hogan	...	Scruffy Staff Worker
Anthony Zerbe	...	Father Donahue
Bridget Fonda	...	Lynn Marie Faulkner
William Newman	...	Court Clerk
Tom Arnold	...	August Murray
Breckin Meyer	...	Greg Czarnicki
Matt O'Toole	...	Bailiff
Richard Fancy	...	Judge

Storyline

When Juvenal, a presumed miracle worker, appears on the scene Bill Hill attempts to exploit him but his plans go astray with the untimely intervention of August Murray and the developing relationship between Juvenal and Lynn Faulkner.

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Plot Keywords:

miracle | evangelist | miracle worker | con | exploitation | 

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Taglines:

Everyone wants a piece of the action

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some sexuality, language and a scene of violence

Details

Official Sites:

MGM

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 February 1997 (USA)

Also Known As:

Les mains de Dieu

Filming Locations:

Fullerton, California, USA

Box Office

Gross:

$408,097 (USA) (14 March 1997)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Initial Productions, Lumière International

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Paul Schrader originally wanted to adapt the Elmore Leonard novel "Rum Punch", but when Quentin Tarantino got the rights and made it Jackie Brown, Schrader decided to use this Leonard novel instead as his next project.

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Quotes

Elwin Worrel: You know, Virginia's mother gave us these dishes when we got married. Christ, 21 years ago, I hated these God-damned dishes. they got rosebuds on 'em like a little girl's tea-set you know. All that time, you know, you get through your mashed potatos, and you wipe your gravy, and there's those god-damned rosebuds lookin' at ya!

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Connections

References Escape Me Never (1947)

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Soundtracks

"Remembering Jobim"
Written by Joseph L. Altruda (as Joey Altruda)
Performed by Joey Altruda and His Cocktail Crew
Courtesy of Will Records
By Arrangement with Ocean Park Music Group

User Reviews

A Refreshing Look at God, Faith, Love and Media

Don't be fooled by the subject matter - an ex-monk, who can heal the sick by touching them, but suffers stigmata each time and gets caught up in a whirl of religious fanatics, big-business evangelists and ratings-hungry media - this is a sweet and touching romantic comedy!

Leave it to Paul Schrader to find a way to do some heavy soul-searching without getting heavy-handed, yet always remaining quirky as we know him from his dramas. A wonderful supporting cast (Christopher Walken, Tom Arnold, Janeane Garofalo, Lolita Davidovich and Gina Gershon) adds color and texture to the story without detracting from the quiet chemistry going on between Skeet Ulrich and Bridget Fonda. When Ulrich says without grandeur that he believes in God and miracles, you don't even think twice about it - you believe every word he says at face value. A rare performance.