Familiar Touch - Review (London Film Festival 2024)

You Don't Know Where My Home Is.

Review written by Jack Aling

Familiar Touch is written and directed by Sarah Friedland. Starring Kathleen Chalfant, Carolyn Michelle & H. Jon Benjamin.

Following an octogenarian woman’s transition to life in assisted living as she contends with her conflicting desires and self-narratives amidst her shifting age identity and memory.

Kathleen Chalfant leads this emotional human story that isn't afraid to explore the harsh reality of living with dementia and the accompanying uncertainty on the lives it touches.

Documenting the confusion of the situation firsthand, the new environment of a care facility and the new company of its residents are the setting as we follow Chalfant's Ruth as she adjusts to her new way of living.

Writer/Director Sarah Friedland lets the camera roll to sit the audience in Ruth's experience, but leaves space for moments of warmth and connection to show that there is still life after diagnosis. An uncomfortable but purposeful watch.

Our verdict: 2 out of 5 stars.

Familiar Touch releases in the UK in 2025.

Read more of Jack's reviews at: letterboxd.com/TheJackAling