Touches You

Blistering performances.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

It's a delightful and lovely drama, with great screenplay, and outstanding performances by both leading actress and actor. I enjoyed every minute of the entire movie, and maybe it's been a long time a movie fully cheers me up that much. It centers around Fisher Wallow, a rich heiress who has returned from abroad, only to find out that her father did some bad thing that damaged a lot of people in Memphis, so now she's hated all over the area. Along with her own personality that is considered quite annoying (she's very sarcastic and honest),this makes it impossible for Fisher to find an escort to go with her to social events. Fisher has always had a feeling for Jimmy, a poor boy whose father works for her family, and mother cannot recognize her own son and is committed to an asylum. Jimmy is, however, not so interested in Fisher. He is actually the grandson of a governor, so everyone actually knows his name and respects his grandfather. Fisher, for her crush on Jimmy, hires him to escort her for the season. Jimmy eventually agrees to get the money to help his parents.After two eventful parties where Fisher took Jimmy with her, the two developed some drama and chemistry together. The biggest drama is around the loss of one of the teardrop diamond earrings, which cost 5,000 dollars each.The plot is surprisingly and pleasantly simple, but with powerful acting the movie becomes very enjoyable. I've never liked Bryce Dallas Howard - not the actress herself, but the characters she played in movies I saw before. In The Help, or 50/50, her characters are really annoying, which fooled me into thinking that's the only kind of roles she does. But that only proves she's a phenomenal actress. Her performance in this movie should have received better recognition as it deserves. Chris Evans delivers a remarkable performance, too. I've always known he's a lot more capable than the superhero kind-of- roles he's famous for, but I was even more amazed by his portrayal in this movie - very refreshing and real. The accent is, however, pretty much of a letdown. But that doesn't make the movie any less good.

This is a very good presentation of a very good story. I have a bit of a love hate feeling for Tennessee Williams. The emotions are so beautiful and raw, and make you truly feel. But the stories are so sad and depressing. Although there is a glimmer of hope, for the most part you feel like the lives of the characters suck and are going to continue to suck, and that change (whether hinted at or imagined by optimistic me) will be hard won.Unlike other types of movie that I like (the rom-com, thrillers, or scifi/fantasy...where all is right in the world in the end) this story is much more realistic. Life gets hard, even for those of us that have it good.SPOILERS I really enjoyed how she recognized that she would always find her social interactions difficult, and outright believes that no one will ever love her. She is a sweet soul, but is so socially inept that she puts everyone off. I can't help but draw a parallel to Bones, where the socially inept Brennan is loved by everyone she works with. Makes a good TV show, but not as realistic. Although perhaps Williams is a bit on the dark side. But those dark and upsetting feelings do occur, and I loved how they were portrayed so beautifully by Howard. Evans did a great job as well. This is the second time I have watched this film, and this time, I really felt a connection to Fisher's character. I think Tennessee William's films are lovely like that, so nuanced, and so many levels on which you can connect depending on your own frame of mind.

"The Loss of a Teardrop Diamond," is a real gem but it is not for everyone. If you are not a big Tennessee Williams fan, you probably will not like it. If you are unfamiliar with Tennessee Williams, then you are better off watching "A Streetcar Named Desire," or "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof."Admittedly, this is not one of Williams' best stories. The reason the film works so well is the acting and directing.I had seen Bryce Dallas Howard in a few other films but they did not prepare me for this absolutely thrilling performance. This is not just the best performance of the year but it is the best performance in the past several years. She brings the character of Fisher Willow to life the way that Vivian Leigh did for Blanche DuBois. In many ways Fisher Willow is like a young version of Blanche. Fisher is a typical Williams' heroine. She initially comes off as a selfish, self centered, Southern Belle but underneath she is much more fragile than anyone suspects. Bryce Dallas Howard is able to bring this out with such complexity and nuance that we can sympathize with a character that we should not care about so much. Even in her best moments she seems as though she could shatter at any moment.This performance alone is enough reason to see this film. The story follows the familiar themes covered in other Tennessee Williams stories: loneliness, loss of wealth, fall from grace, and battling interior demons. The teardrop diamond could represent the wealth and status her family once had. It is not just a $5000 jewel. It is a symbol of what her family once was and what was once the old South.Jodie Markell does an impressive job directing. Her style is old school. She knows when to let the camera linger and when to let the scenes play out. The film does not seem rushed and it never drags. The cinematography is gorgeous with burnished orange dominating the color palette. "The Loss of a Teardrop Diamond," may not be one of the four best movies made from a Tennessee Williams story but it is not far behind. This is mandatory viewing for any fan of Tennessee Williams.

For those of us who don't get to the theater much and depend on the cinema for our acting thrills, this film is just downright fun. The fact that it got made in this century is a pleasant and amusing surprise. Like "An Education", this film features a few strong unknown cast that are outstanding. It also features phenomenal stars Ellen Burstyn and Ann-Margret in wonderful, surprising cameos. Chris Evans shines-has their been a sexier role for a young actor? Bryce Dallas Howard is a wonder, and really pulls off a very demanding leading place in this film. Now blink you eyes and the plot takes you to a movie experience from before 1950. But that is exactly what is so fun. Southern style romance, twisted identical twins, dead bodies up the stairs-it is also somewhat predicable but very lovingly portrayed. I really like this film, exactly because I love the experience of pulling up to a movie theater on a cold winter night a getting the same good time my parents did in their day-a warm, sweet and somewhat bitter romance with a clear sense of time and place.Don't go to this film expecting fireworks. Go for movie magic served Southern style by actors who are real and very good. This is what entertainment is about, and unfortunately it is a lost art these days.