The Touch (1971)

In the quaint confines of a small Swedish town, the seemingly idyllic life of physician Andreas Vergerus and his wife, Karin, unravels. Their fifteen years of marriage, though loving, has slipped into the mundane, punctuated by the rhythmic cadence of raising their two teenage children. Their life takes an unexpected turn when they cross paths with David Kovac, a Jewish-American archaeologist, unearthing the secrets of an ancient church in their town. David, a survivor of the cruel clutches of a concentration camp, who has found refuge in the U.S., is mysteriously drawn to Karin. He confesses his love for her, a love that bloomed the moment he saw her in the hospital, a beacon of beauty on the day her mother died. Despite never straying before, Karin finds herself succumbing to the magnetic pull of David's affection, stepping into the thrilling world of an adulterous affair. However, David's love is a double-edged sword. His passionate advances are tainted with a passive-aggressive nature, a lingering shadow of his scarred past, leading to bouts of physical violence against Karin. Nevertheless, she finds herself entangled in a love she believes is genuine, a vibrant contrast to the blandness of her marriage with Andreas. Despite her transgressions, she remains loyal to her marriage, torn between the comfort of the known and the exhilaration of the unknown. Andreas, perceptive and patient, senses the tumultuous undercurrents of their relationship, aware of a secret concerning David that might explain his erratic behavior towards Karin. As the narrative unfolds, the mystery deepens, and Karin's encounter with a character named Sara brings them closer to the truth. The Touch is an intricate exploration of the fragile human heart, trapped in the complexities of love, loyalty, and life's haunting scars.

The Touch is a drama movie featuring Elliott Gould and directed by Ingmar Bergman.

The Touch is currently streaming on Criterion Channel.

It is also possible to buy The Touch on Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Vudu and YouTube.