Dawn

Touch is a highly original psychological thriller. After a traumatic event, a mother, Dawn (Leeanna Walsman – Manny Lewis) is on the run with her daughter, Steph (Onor Nottle). She is pursued by a frantic ex-cop (Matt Day - Rake, Doing Time for Patsy Cline). Quite what is driving Dawn, we are initially unsure but there is a persistent sense of danger. She might be a victim but she behaves unpredictably.

This is a finely-crafted, classy production in all respects. The image-making is superb, from haunting vistas of the ancient rolling Adelaide hills of South Australia to claustrophobic scenes in interiors of cars and motel rooms.

The lead performances of Walsman and Day are magnificent and they are particularly well supported by young Nottle as the daughter and Greg Hatton as a cop. The soundtrack is varied and includes local songs which lend authenticity and help create unique moods and atmosphere.

Touch is often disturbingly dark, powerfully visceral, troubling and raunchy. It is a puzzling mystery with a powerful emotional resolution prompting comparison to the classic Australian psychological thriller, Lantana.

In Touch, an intriguing and discomfiting story about parental love is steadily and artfully unfolded with depth, sincerity and intelligence. The rendering of the emotional landscape has the ring of truth. 4 stars