Touched by Love

This film, starring a young Diane Lane is a film made after Elvis Presley's death. Supported by the Elvis, Inc, this movie tells the story of a girl with Cerebral Palsey who becomes Elvis' pen pal and he actually returns her letters. He also showers her with gifts and gives her his private address to write back. This movie is not really about Elvis, but rather about a girl who struggles to do everyday tasks that we all take for granted and a caring nurse who never sways from her belief in "Karen" (played by Diane Lane). Also featuring Michael Learned (of "The Walton's" fame) and John Amos (of "Good Times"), this is a moving film and despite it's undisguised attempts to pull at the audience's heart strings, shows a side of Elvis Presley rarely seen, that of compassionate friend to a very sick girl.

I saw this film as an accident, after having watched a film I'd planned on viewing, but actually liked this film better than the one I'd planned on watching! I've been a fan of Diane Lane for years, ever since I saw the OLDEST LIVING CONFEDERATE WIDOW that she was in, among others, and she was flawless in this one, though she was only 15 at the time. She and Deborah Raffin are simply superb as a Cerebral Palsy victim and a young woman who comes to work in a mountain therapy center (in Canada, I think) and how they differ from each other at first and come to relate to one another, with Elvis Presley as an unseen but present part of her therapy. I never was able to deduce if this was a true story or not, but I hope it is, as it is not only well acted all around but a nice story of how kind big stars can be, and I believe Elvis could have and really was as nice as he was portrayed in this film. See it; it's a winner!

This is a touching true story and fine adaption of Lena Canada's book about a lonely handicapped girl(Diane Lane) and her devotion to a very special person. With the help from a social worker(Deborah Raffin), the girl begins writing letters to her hero and the return correspondence transforms her dying days. Her special pen pal is none other than Elvis Presley.

For Elvis fans there is vintage TV footage and Elvis music throughout. Miss Lane is outstanding and warms the heart. This story is sad, uplifting and hopeful. You'll feel good about not passing this one up. Also in the cast are Michael Learned, Clu Gulager and John Amos.

Note: This movie is also known as TO ELVIS, WITH LOVE.

Touched By Love was based on nurse Lena Canada's equally moving book, To Elvis, With Love. While the film indicates Elvis Inc. was involved, this was the name of the production company registered while it was filmed - it was not the official Elvis Presley Enterprises (EPE) organisation responsible for marketing Elvis and running Graceland. An official DVD/Bluray release of this positive and emotionally heart-rending film is long overdue.

When I was little, I absolutely loved this movie. It was so touching. I was born in 1973, so I watched this when I was pretty young. I think it was on HBO. Anyway, I loved Elvis and I loved this movie. My grandmother loved Elvis and I looked up to grandma. Diane Lane is wonderful in it, I also adored another one of her younger actress movies: A Little Romance. So, I've always thought she was a great actress. I wish this movie would come out on DVD! I'm dying to see it again. Maybe they have it on VHS at Blockbuster or Hollywood Video, I'll have to check into that. I wonder if I'll still need a box of tissues to watch it! Enjoy.