TOUCH OF HOPE
US, 1999, 90 minutes, Colour.
Anthony Michael Hall, Abraham Benrubi, C.C.H. Pounder, Faye Masterson, Alan Rosenberg.
Directed by Craig R. Baxley.
Touch of Hope is based on the true story of Dean and Rochelle Kraft. In his adult life, Dean Kraft discovered that he had some kind of healing power, an electrical force, an experience in himself of going into a room with light, touching and seeing light on the person being healed. At first, he was very sceptical but was approached by some scientists to do some research. When it was clear that he was able to heal, he was asked to take on patients. The turning point was the bringing out of a coma the little daughter of the most sceptical doctor, who feared that if what Kraft was able to succeed, then it would make him rethink his medical vocation.
The film takes account of the innate scepticism of the western world in terms of this kind of healing. Kraft has many lines in which he says he is no miracle worker. However, he is persuaded to see his power as a gift and for it to be at the service of others and he and his wife continue the practice.
Anthony Michael Hall, the star of many of John Hughes's films of the 1980s including The Breakfast Club and Weird Science, is Dean Kraft. There is good support from C.C.H. Pounder and Faye Masterson as Rochelle Kraft. The direction is by Craig R. Baxley, who previously had been more at home in making action shows.
1. The film based on a true story? The credibility of Dean Kraft's healing powers? The scepticism expressed in the screenplay? His experience of healing, his giving it as a service for others?
2. The urban settings, the ordinary life of Kraft, work, home, the hospitals, the medical testing centres? The musical score?
3. The title, his touch giving healing, giving hope? The background of people with powers to heal, from the gospels, from faith healers, for people with extraordinary empathetic powers? The film's looking at this power objectively?
4. The prologue, the young Dean and his being saved from drowning? The confrontation with the little boy throughout the film? The repetition of this sequence as he saved Sophie from her coma and brought her out of the icy water? The effect of his healing on himself, being drained of energy?
5. Dean's ordinary life, at work a salesman, relationship with authorities? His relationship with Rochelle and his awkwardness, not expressing himself, her becoming engaged, his being urged to declare his love for her, the proposal, the discussion about his work, the marriage? Her support of his work?
6. His friend, healing him during the run? Playing basketball, doing ordinary things? His friend's scepticism, questioning, support?
7. His being approached by Dr Neil Bachman and his assistant, the proposal, the tests, Dr Rohan and his scepticism? The continued tests, the dead cancer cells? The encounter with Lily, healing her legs, her feeling pain, standing up? Her support, her direct talking to him and telling him to stop thinking about himself but to think of others? Her continued help, especially with Sophie? Mrs Rohan's request, Dean discovering that Sophie was Dr Rohan's daughter? His being ordered out of the house? His finally coming, bringing Sophie out of the coma? The reaction of the parents?
8. The credibility of this kind of story, people with different powers, connecting with people and being able to heal?
