Touched With Fire
Two poets, Carla and Marco (Katie Holmes and Luke Kirby), who both happen to be bipolar, find each other in a mental hospital and ignite a passionate affair that burns twice as bright but is also destined to burn out twice as fast and hard on the downside of mania. Finding their art and supporting each other will not be easy, will they find their balance?
Written and directed by Paul Dalio this relatively conventional yet unconventional little love story contains a personal edge that seems strongly evident in the degree to which the accuracy of bipolar disorder is portrayed throughout; and, performances from Holmes and Kirby truly feel well fleshed out and dimensional. Still, a bit small in its scope, not much new information is brought to light about the bipolar world, perhaps more could have been offered? As it is, this drama will fit nicely on the shelf with a handful of other smaller titles on the Lifetime network. Perhaps a matinee but really more of a rental later, Touched With Fire is rated R