Touch

A film by Baltasar Kormákur

A late Christmas present, as it were.

This charming and heartfelt movie spans generations and cultures in a flowing yet restrained style. Kristófer is a newly-retired Icelandic restaurant owner who, during the start of the Covid epidemic, seeks out a lost love from his youthful days in London where he worked in a Japanese restaurant and fell in love with the owner’s daughter, Miko. This film could have been a treacly disaster, but Kormakúr’s steady hand and measured pace elevate it into something really special. This is a true cross-cultural affair; all of the Japanese actors are excellent, especially Kôki as the young Miko, and Masahiro Motoki as her father. Egill Ólafsson as the old Kristófer and Pálmi Kormákur as the younger Kristofer inhabit their roles with a natural ease. The story is from the novel of the same name by Ólafur Jóhann Ólafsson who co-wrote the screenplay with Baltasar. The subtle score was by Högni Egilsson, who is no stranger to FITK.

This film is a can’t-miss for fans of the romance genre: timeless and engaging. It is available to rent or buy from Amazon, as is the book, both are highly recommended.