The Touch (1971 film)

Plot

Andreas and Karin Vergerus (von Sydow and Andersson) live in fine rapport, their personalities matching well. Both are quiet, contemplative, and very rational persons, not liable to act spontaneously. The intruder, "David Kovac", played by Elliott Gould, is in contrast an impetuous man, uncompromising, overbearing, and tormented by inner contradictions and compulsions. Karin and David become clandestine lovers, but arent appropriate for each other. Before they meet David attempted suicide and Karin was unhappy to be reduced to a wife. They flower in their new love and it destroys their lives.

Themes

Instead the question of why Karin turns away from Andreas seems intentionally perplexing. The dialogue and acting of the lovers is cerebral and cold, as if they were reciting dazedly on a stage, astounding themselves with their actions and feelings, and acting on an impulse isolated from their personalities. This impulse or drive is not eros, as especially at the beginning of their affair sex is more of a problem than a release for the lovers.

The central metaphor of the film is a medieval wooden statue of Mary, recently excavated after being buried for centuries, analogous to Goulds and Anderssons potential to be lovers or man and woman. But with the disinterment of the Mary, insect larvae come alive inside her, corroding her from within, much as David and Karins awakening causes them similar destruction.

Cast (in credits order)

Rest of cast listed alphabetically

Reception

The film earned rentals of $485,000 in North America and $650,000 in other countries. It recorded an overall loss of $1,080,000.