Touching Home (2008)

Simply Perfect

From my favorite movies..

Tells a fascinating and unsettling true story, and does so well, without pretending to have all the answers.

This film is so real. It treats its characters with so much care and sensitivity.

I read the book and grew up in Marin--so I was eagerly awaiting this movie. The movie has four glaring problems, but it solved a philosophical dilemma, for myself. It might prove B.F. Skinner's theory(disregard-sorry--bad humor)? The four glaring problems:A. Formulaic B. The twins acting C.The twin's direction. D. The predictable script(this is where Skinner comes to mind) (Yes A and D overlap)I'm not going to rattle on and on about a movie that could have been watchable, but I need to say something. The twins are Not natural actors, and needed a Strong director, but guess what--they directed themselves. They(the twins) even managed to make Dourif look like a hack actor. His part was so overacted, it was painful--reminiscent of Simple Jack). Harris did a good job as expected, but the awkward, shameless self-promoting of the twins was nauseating. It almost looked like they were thinking this movie would turn them into Brad Pits? I can't imagine what the principal financial guru was thinking watching this ego trip? After reading the book, he probably didn't care, but his money would have been much better spent on the homeless in San Rafael. The scenery was beautiful, but that's why people pay a lot to live in Marin. If the twins happen to read this take away one thing: YOU ONLY NEED TO TELEGRAPH ON STAGE! My sincere condolences for your father. The industry always needs Stage hands. Oh yea--if your ever given money to make a movie--write another book. That would really be a miracle, but stranger things have happened in Hollywood?

Don't know why they don't usually give the Oscar to this types of movies???but this One of my favorite movieIt's certainly eligible and this movie was a fluff feel-good movie for Christmas and if it were nominated, it would be picked for Best Picture. Besides, that category is generally reserved for serious dramas.Anyway great job done the Miller brothers cheers (:o))Good luck for future stay happy n healthy (:o)Two Thumbs Up (:o))

First off, I just want to say how much I admire the Miller Brothers for the trials and tribulations they were able to overcome in producing this film. That said, I was actually kind of disappointed after seeing Touching Home, I really was. After reading "Either You're In or You're In the Way", hearing about the awards Touching Home received on the film festival circuit, and absorbing a considerable amount of hype about the Miller Brothers locally, I was expecting to see something groundbreaking. Instead, I got to see a movie that just didn't quite live up to its full potential.Now, I don't want to dock the movie too much, because, it was after all a valiant effort, and I think more low budget indie flicks like this should be produced. Although, if the Miller Brothers want to be considered respectable film makers, they need to realize this film wasn't pretty. So, rather than most of the people on here awarding 10 out of 10 sympathetic odes of praise to the Miller brothers, I hope to offer a more objective analysis for my fellow IMDb users to consider before seeing this film.Visually, despite minor lighting problems, the movie was acceptable. In fact, there were several instances (such as the helicopter fly over of the Nicasio church) where I was actually somewhat impressed with the cinematography. However, in my opinion, the script lagged far behind. I felt like the movie didn't know whether it wanted to be a drama, baseball movie, or a love story. The thing is, the love story and baseball plot are left completely unresolved. That leads me to believe it was a drama, about their father. But, if it was a drama, it was kind of a corny drama, because there was several instances during the movie where I found myself laughing, and then realized that I wasn't supposed to be after the fact. For example, the excessive use of the line "Shut up!" in supposedly dramatic situations just wasn't having the chilling effect it should have had. Don't get me wrong though, it's both tragic and inspiring what these guys went through. However, I just think that writing the book as well as the screenplay, and directing and acting in the movie, showed the Miller Brothers were perhaps a little bit too self indulgent. Especially when it comes to their acting in Touching Home; come on guys, leave the acting to the professionals, because that was awful. On the other end of the spectrum, one major redeeming factor of this film was the casting and subsequent performances by Ed Harris, Brad Dourif, Robert Forster, and Evan Jones (who I thought stole the show.) If the Miller Brothers do go on to direct more films (and I hope they do), chances are this won't be remembered as one of their best. I think, instead, it will probably be remembered as one of their most raw, and honest pieces of work, which is a nice addition to their portfolio. Cinematically, the Miller brothers could have done better on this one. However, If they keep working and making films with the same focus and determination they used to channel towards baseball, they will achieve success in the film industry.

After attending a screening of "Touching Home" I can't say enough about this movie. This is a true tale of how twin brothers honor their commitment to their homeless father, showing both the good times, which were few, and the other times and how they learned to live with it. The Miller brothers not only wrote the story, but they produced, directed and starred in this film. The end product is simply amazing, particularly since they had no prior experience doing any of these things. This is the epitome of a labor of love with a thoughtful, heartfelt portrayal of their life with their alcoholic, homeless dad. It is remarkable that these brothers managed to function in such a dysfunctional family but they never lost hope that things would get better. In many ways these situations can apply to anyone with an alcoholic love one which left the audience quite thoughtful even after the film was over. I found myself thinking about the film and the act of making this film for days after the screening. I must add that the film, based in Marin County, in the San Francisco bay area, does a nice job of capturing the beauty of this rural area. I am seldom this enthused about a film of this nature but this is a must-see. Run to the theater when it opens in your area.