In the last few years, we have seen many cross-cultural romance dramas taking the limelight. Be it “The Big Sick” or “Past Lives,” these richly layered dramas have started getting the widespread recognition they deserve. Baltasar Kormákur’s “Touch” (Snerting, 2024) is a similar romance drama that revolves around two lovers who had to endure years of living away from each other due to circumstances beyond their control. It follows the man, now a widower, on a journey to find his lover, who disappeared decades ago. Based on Ólafur Jóhann Ólafsson’s eponymous novel, the film stars Egill Ólafsson, Kōki, Palmi Kormakur, Masahiro Motoki, Yoko Narahashi, and Masatoshi Nakamura in the central roles.
Spoilers Ahead
Touch (Snerting, 2024) Plot Summary & Movie Synopsis:
Written & directed by Baltasar Kormákur, “Touch” (Snertig) follows Kristófer, an old widower from Iceland, who travels across the globe to find Miko, a woman he loved decades ago. It traces their past, which leads to their endearing reunion.
What is ‘Touch’ (Snertig, 2024) about?
“Touch” (Snertig) follows the story of Kristófer and Miko in a non-linear form by taking us through flashbacks of their past. Let’s look at these events chronologically. In the late 1960s, Kristófer (Palmi Kormakur) was studying economics at a university in London. He had staunch left-wing beliefs and spoke against oppressive conservatives. It didn’t sit well with the college administration. His peers challenged his views. They made him realize that he was also an aristocrat and had no real-life experience as a proletariat. So, Kristófer impulsively decided to apply for a blue-collar job at a Japanese restaurant just moments after learning about their job vacancy.
The restaurant owner, Takahashi (Masahiro Motoki), realized Kristófer’s experience working with fish in Iceland. So, he hired Kristófer as their dishwasher and taught him about their work. Kristófer left his education and began working there full-time. That’s where he met Takahashi’s daughter, Miko (Kōki), and fell in love with her at first sight. While working, Kristófer learned that Takahashi & Miko were once Hiroshima residents. They left Japan after the tragic bombings and landed in England to start their lives anew. Later, Kristófer saw Takahashi break Miko’s relationship with her then-boyfriend. Kristófer didn’t understand the reason at the time.
Why did Takahashi break Miko’s relationship?
During the bombing, Miko’s mother prematurely gave birth to Miko. But she couldn’t survive the injuries. Since then, the atomic bomb victims have been referred to as ‘Hibakusha’ and faced discrimination. Takahashi also feared the radiation would lead to some issues in Miko’s future if she gave birth. That’s why he broke up her relationship with her then-boyfriend. Once they broke up, Miko got closer to Kristófer. She joined him at his local apartment and slept with him. His old, white, prejudiced house owner didn’t consider Miko a good company for him
Kristófer realized how differently he & Miko were being treated despite both being immigrants. Later on, Miko began thinking about her future with Kristófer. She asked whether there were any Japanese people in Iceland hoping to find a sense of belonging in a foreign land. He couldn’t recall anyone in particular. That day, before leaving, Takahashi said he and Miko would be going away during their holidays. Soon after, he left an envelope at Kristófer’s local residence with a paycheck. Kristófer returned to the restaurant to realize Takahashi had suddenly closed his business and decided to move away with Miko without saying a word.
How did Kristófer spend his life away from Miko?
After Miko departed, Kristófer was upset for a long time. However, he eventually moved on and returned to Iceland. Then, he got married and adopted a child. He & his wife did not have children of their own. About 50 years after he met Miko, Kristófer (Egill Ólafsson) lives alone as a widower. His memories begin to fade due to his old age. So, his doctor advises him to take care of his unfinished business, if any. As a result, Kristófer decides to locate Miko even if the world was just realizing the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic. He traveled to London to learn about the new global restrictions. Regardless, he returns to the location of Takahashi’s old restaurant.
Touch (Snerting, 2024) Movie Ending Explained:
Does Kristófer reunite with Miko?
Kristófer realizes that Takahashi’s restaurant is now a tattoo parlor. While his daughter stays worried about his safety, he gets a Japanese symbol tattooed on his arm like a romantic. Later, he discovers the present address of Hitomi (Meg Kubota), who used to work with him at the restaurant. She leads him to find Miko’s present location in Japan. Despite the safety restrictions, he travels to Japan and finds the building where Miko currently stays. After a brief hesitation, he buys some flowers to meet her. Then, he realizes that she is quarantined in her apartment. Against her neighbor’s advice, he decides to see her in person. Finally, after 51 years, Kristófer reunites with Miko.
Why did Miko abruptly leave London?
Back when Miko was in London, Takahashi realized she was pregnant. He believed that she was ‘disabled’ as Hibakusha. He didn’t want her to give birth, fearing the child would grow up with issues due to the radiation she endured. So, he forced her to suddenly relocate to Japan. Miko convinced him to keep the baby. However, she had to give the child up for adoption. Later, the child grew up to be a successful chef. Nowadays, Miko often visits his restaurant.
But her son doesn’t know they are related. Upon Kristófer’s visit, she takes him to their son’s restaurant to have a meal. Kristófer gets emotional seeing his biological son. Later, in the film’s final moments, Miko & Kristófer walk down a street holding hands as he sings an Icelandic song he sang back in their restaurant – the one that made Miko fall for him.
Touch (Snerting, 2024) Movie Themes Analysed:
The Cost of War
“Touch” (Snerting) follows events after the disastrous World War II that led to devastation across the globe. Hiroshima and Nagasaki were demolished due to the atomic bombings. Miko and Takahashi, who survived these events, live with these tragic memories. All their decisions thereafter depend on how these events shaped their perspectives. We see them in survival mode, fleeing the country with the cheapest available tickets. Beyond resilience, their stories also convey a sense of void left by a past that could never materialize. On the other hand, the war changed many, like Kristófer, into expecting better systems to fight against oppression.
Cross-Cultural Relationship
Kristófer and Miko’s relationship across the years shows the shifting worldview toward cross-cultural relationships. Back in the late 1960s, when they were just in their 20s, they were not as widely accepted. You can sense the scorn in Kristófer’s house owner’s words when she talks about Miko or Takahashi without any shame about her prejudices. Despite the initial challenges in communication, they found ways to understand and respect each other’s interests and cultures.
She gravitated toward his likeness to John Lennon. He made efforts to learn the Japanese language and to learn about cuisine. Years later, when Kristófer travels to Japan, he converses with a Japanese man as if they are long-lost friends. There is no prejudice, but only a genuine effort to understand and respect each other. Once Kristófer and Miko reunite, they behave as if they were never apart.
Old Age & Regret
Through its two central characters, “Touch” (Snerting) explores the effects of aging and how it makes people reflect upon their past regrets. Before his wife Inga’s death, she and Kristófer felt a sense of regret for waiting to have a child of their own. As Kristófer realizes the diagnosis of his impending memory loss, he decides to fulfill his wish to find Miko rather than live his remaining life filled with regret. When he meets Miko, she regrets that she has never stayed in touch with him since she left London. She feels sorry that he had to lead all his life without any answers as to why their relationship didn’t work.
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