This Week's SIFF Picks: 'Touchy Feely' & 'The Way, Way Back'
Touchy Feely
Lynn Shelton's latest debuted this year at Sundance and stars Rosemarie DeWitt as Abby, a massage therapist who suddenly can't stand bodily contact. It's not only problematic for her job, but also for her relationship as she just agreed to move in with her boyfriend. Meanwhile, the dential practice run by Abby's brother Paul (Josh Pais) gets a boost when he suddenly discovers his own healing touch. Reviews have pegged Touchy Feely as heavier than Shelton's past work, but then again, isn't everything heavier than Humpday's comedy about two buddies making an amateur porn?
Screenings: May 23 at 7 (Renton Opening Night, Renton IKEA Performing Arts Center), May 25 at 1:30 (Egyptian Theater)
The Way, Way Back
Not only is this comedy penned by Nat Faxon and Jim Rash, two of the Oscar-winning screenwriters of The Descendants, but the ensemble cast is ridiculous: Steve Carell as...well, a jerk; Sam Rockwell as a water park instructor; Allison Janney, Toni Collette, Maya Rudolph, Rob Corddry... all surrounding a teenage boy (Liam James) who's coming-of-age summer gets much better when he starts working at the water park with Rockwell.
Screenings: May 25 at 6:30 (Screening & Party, SIFF Cinema Uptown), May 26 at 4:30 (Egyptian Theater).
