Familiar Touch

Writer-director Sarah Friedland has accomplished an extraordinary character portrait of an older woman entering a new chapter in her life, experiencing "a coming of age" we haven't seen before on the big screen. Memory loss and dementia is often described and presented as tragedy but what "Familiar Touch" shows us is that appreciation for beauty, sensual joy, creative discovery, and abundant humor persist. Lead actress Kathleen Chalfant is luminous in the role, capable of conveying the quicksilver changes of her character's circumstances with enormous grace and subtlety. I look forward to seeing the film again; this is a story that asks (and deserves) our careful attention and open hearts.

Age-related memory loss can be a harrowing, debilitating experience not only for the individuals suffering from it, but also for their families, friends and associates. And, in this superb new release, such is the fate faced by 88-year-old Ruth Goldman (expertly portrayed by Kathleen Chalfant), a remarkably spry, intelligent, creative and physically active woman who appears to be on top of things except when it comes to her fading memory. She has moments when she seems perfectly lucid, as well as a reasonably good grasp of her long-term recall, but her short-term recollection has been failing fast, reaching the point where she doesn't even recognize her son Steve (H. Jon Benjamin) as her own child. These faltering conditions have thus necessitated a change: Since she's increasingly incapable of taking proper care of herself at home, Ruth is being relocated to a long-term care facility for the memory-impaired. It's a transition that takes her by surprise despite the fact that she and Steve had toured the home previously and decided that this is where she should go when she's no longer fit to attend to her own needs. Writer-director Sarah Friedland's second feature outing thus proceeds to follow Ruth's experiences in her new residence, including her diverse interactions with her primary caregiver, Vanessa (Carolyn Michelle), her resident physician, Brian (Andy McQueen), the jovial and accommodating dining room chef (Mike G.), and other facility residents, such as the perky and vivacious Pearl (Joahn Webb). This deftly crafted character study examines the various states of mind that the memory-impaired can go through, as well as the array of reactions that they experience in coming to terms with their circumstances. In telling Ruth's story, the filmmaker expertly shows, rather than tells, viewers what the protagonist is undergoing, driving home the impact of what this heartbreaking condition can yield. At the same time, though, the picture also celebrates all of the little victories that can occur in the course of caring for a patient like Ruth. In addition, the film pays a fitting tribute to the exceptional caregivers who work tirelessly with the afflicted, especially when it comes to the patience and sensitivity that they're expected to exhibit in their daily care routines. This offering also shows the tremendous levels of compassion and understanding associated with this kind of work, particularly when it comes to frankly but tactfully explaining how caregivers and their patients are each experiencing fundamentally different truths when it comes to the nature of their respective realities, a calling that requires being honest and forthright while simultaneously exhibiting a degree of mutual respect, tolerance and acceptance that many of us may find challenging to willingly extend. While this release admittedly begins to slow somewhat as it progresses, it generally holds audience interest well without becoming schmaltzy, manipulative or predictable, quite a feat in a story like this, which could easily fall prey to these traits if left in lesser-skilled hands. For its efforts, "Familiar Touch" has been generously rewarded with numerous award nominations and wins at various film festivals, as well as the 2025 Independent Spirit Awards' Someone To Watch Award for the director. As the population continues to grow old and more of us (especially children of the aged) are left to address scenarios like this, this production presents an excellent look at what those affected might be up against, making for an engaging and informative watch, one that could provide insights that make a difference when the time comes to make the hard decisions of how to care for those who are no longer able to care for themselves.

I had the great pleasure of seeing "Familiar Touch" at the Venice Biennale and I was blown away by Friedland's self-assured directing and beautiful cinematography. Each frame is carefully wrought with the most exquisite light. There's no rush in the unraveling of the story; it's patient, quiet, and true-to-life. Chalfant's performance is masterful. I could not take my eyes off her. She is at the top her craft, never missing a beat, never giving us a false note. The manner she inhabits the character is remarkable: with total honesty and commitment. I offer my deepest congratulations to the filmmaker, actors, and crew.

Having a family member with dementia can be very difficult, as this illness affects over 55 million people worldwide. It is a terminal condition with no known cure, making it hard to watch loved one's struggle. Many individuals have their own experiences with dementia either working with an individual with dementia or having a family member who has dementia. For example, my girlfriend's father passed away with dementia. However, Sarah Friedland's film "Familiar Touch" is a powerful example of the struggle of a person with dementia from a caregiver's perspective or someone looking from the outside in.

This is Sarah's directorial debut, and she's telling the story of Ruth, a woman who must move into a care home because her son and doctors believe she can no longer live independently. The film shows Ruth's journey as she alternates between resisting this change and accepting her new life. Despite her mental decline, she tries to prove that she is still capable. "Familiar Touch" is a drama without suspense that expresses care and empathy. It portrays the challenges of dementia without diminishing the experience to clichés. Instead of depicting care homes as cold places, the film creates a warm and loving environment, emphasizing the importance of dignity and self-awareness for the residents. Dealing with dementia and the feeling of isolation can make anyone feel alone. However, the film is not just about these struggles; it's a character study that avoids all the sad emotions, focusing instead on the daily life of Ruth in the care facility. Kathleen Chalfant's performance as Ruth is exceptional. She captures the character's depth and complexity without relying on narration or flashbacks, allowing the audience to connect with her through gestures and expressions. Her performance feels genuine in a non-acting way. Despite the serious subject matter, "Familiar Touch" is heartwarming. The director focuses on Ruth's everyday moments, making the story feel authentic. The film is more about the journey of acceptance rather than a traditional plot, making real-life portrayal on screen. "Familiar Touch" offers a compassionate perspective on dementia, celebrating the resilience of those affected by it. The film is filled with heart, humor, and a deep understanding of human experience, making it a beautiful and uplifting exploration of a challenging issue.

The film was showing at Lincoln Center, and the tickets were free. I decided to take my girlfriend because her dad just passed away from dementia. I thought the film would be a good fit for her because of the struggles she had with her father. During the film I noticed my girlfriend getting emotional because she never looked at dementia from the perspective of the person going through it. After the film I asked my girlfriend what she thought about the movie. "Her reply was It saddened her when Ruth's family was talking about her in past tense just because she was in a facility. It's like they are killing her off while still being alive. That's part of the reason my family never decided to put my father in a home and cared for him until the day he passed." Which is how some families do forget that they exist until they get that phone call. On the other hand, some nursing facilities for the elderly normally have a bad reputation for the treatment of their patients. However, the facility Ruth was in was very on hand with the patients and treatment with the upmost respect. The movie was shot at the Bella Vista Nursing Home in Los Angeles, California for patients suffering from dementia. They filmed actual patients during group activities and incorporated them in the film.

Familiar Touch showcases the perspectives from the individual's point of view and from a caregiver's point of view. The effects of dementia on both sides and how they can help each other get through it. I'm glad her disability wasn't the main focal point and nobody in the movie treated Ruth's character as such. Referring to the movie "Code of Freaks" a movie that emphasizes how films put the person's disability first instead of person to make a storyline this film doesn't. After the film there was a Q&A with the film's director Sarah Friedland and the main character Ruth played by Kathleen Chalfant's. They answered questions about the film and how the film came about. Friedland experiences as a caregiver for a person with dementia inspired her to write this film. So, it was inspired from her own personal experience. The movie Familiar Touch is worth the hour and thirty minutes out my daily life. I enjoyed the funny moments they had and the fact that people with dementia were actors in the film. Upon leaving I noticed I had to pay 64.00 dollars for two hours in Lincoln Center which is ridiculous. But what's crazier is none of the card machines were working. So, I kindly beat the fare and went out together with a van.

Shhhhh don't tell anybody!!!!!!

Aurora Martin.

I had the pleasure of seeing this at the Venice Film Festival, where I could feel the audience's captivation with the film. I found the central concept of a "coming of (old) age" film to be compelling, new, and beautifully handled. Friedland's directing is subtle, precise. Kathleen Chalfant's performance is completely astonishing, and the pairing of director and actor felt really, really right: a scene where Chalfant simply walks down the hallway transforms (with a few key choices of lighting, editing) into something completely magical. The care and love with which the film handles even minor characters was moving. Friedland conveys so much, so deeply through quiet, deceptively simple moments. A new director to watch!