Touch and Go Is Michael Keatons Most Overlooked Gem

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Touch and Go Is Michael Keatons Most Overlooked Gem

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  • Touch and Go Marked a Change of Pace for Michael Keaton
  • Touch and Go Is Worth Revisiting

As a movie enthusiast with decades of film-watching experience under my belt, I must say that revisiting Touch and Go is a must for any Michael Keaton fan. This underrated gem from 1986 offers a fascinating glimpse into Keaton’s career trajectory, showcasing his versatility as an actor even before the world was graced with the Batman trilogy.

Michael Keaton initially gained prominence in Hollywood during the 1980s, showcasing his quick-witted humor and sharp comedic timing, starting with his standout supporting performance in the 1982 comedy movie “Night Shift.” This was followed by his leading role in the highly successful 1983 comedy film “Mr. Mom,” which garnered an impressive $65 million at the U.S. box office.

In the late 1980s, Keaton’s acting career underwent a remarkable metamorphosis. This change began when he starred as a drug addict in the 1988 drama film “Clean and Sober,” although this movie was a commercial flop, it paved the way for his selection to play Batman in the blockbuster film “Batman” released in 1989. However, this significant career turn wasn’t sudden; it was preceded by a more subtle transition from comedy to drama in the 1986 romantic comedy-drama film “Touch and Go,” where he portrayed Bobby Barbato, a professional hockey player who unexpectedly forms a friendship with a troubled boy, which eventually leads to an equally surprising romance between him and the boy’s mother.

Although Touch and Go maintains the vibrant spirit and quirky charm found in Keaton’s past comedic roles, it also offers a nuanced and multifaceted portrayal of his human side as an actor, elevating the film beyond its predictable aspects to become a touching love story.

Touch and Go Marked a Change of Pace for Michael Keaton

Touch and Go Is Michael Keatons Most Overlooked GemTouch and Go Is Michael Keatons Most Overlooked Gem

1984’s “Touch and Go,” initially kept hidden until 1986, demonstrated that the eccentric, comical character Michael Keaton portrayed to achieve cinematic fame in the ’80s masked a perceptive and empathetic actor who was eager to transcend the comedic stereotype Hollywood often imposed on him during most of the decade.

As a movie connoisseur, I found myself immersed in the gripping tale of “Touch and Go.” In this film, Keaton brilliantly portrays the character of Bobby Barbato, a renowned professional hockey player shining brightly in the bustling city of Chicago. Off the ice, Bobby, the town’s darling bachelor, indulges in fleeting romantic flings and leads a solitary life of luxury within his upscale condo in Chicago.

In this scenario, Bobby manages to fend off the group of delinquents, causing them to scatter, save for one – a young Mexican-American named Louis. Bobby catches up to him and takes him into custody, then drives him back to his residence on the South Side, where Bobby encounters his mother, Denise. Shocked to learn that Louis was implicated in an armed robbery, Denise is, this encounter lays the groundwork for a captivating three-way dynamic as Bobby becomes invested in Louis’s future and finds himself developing feelings for Denise.

For Keaton, the character Bobby offered him an opportunity to demonstrate versatility in pace and tone as an actor, thereby enhancing outstanding supporting performances delivered by Ajay Naidu, who brings life to his role as Louis, and notably Maria Conchita Alonso, whose portrayal of Denise was simply captivating.

As a dedicated movie enthusiast, I’ve witnessed Keaton sharing the screen with numerous actresses across his illustrious career, often in group dynamics. However, there’s no denying the exceptional on-screen rapport I’ve observed between him and Alonso in “Touch and Go.” Alonso, a captivating and gifted comedienne, might be most recognized for her collaborative work with Arnold Schwarzenegger in the 1987 action blockbuster “The Running Man.

Furthermore, the athletic and slender Keaton, aged 32 during the filming of Touch and Go in 1984, convincingly portrays a hockey player. In a scene that resonates with sincerity, this character grapples with his identity, expressing concern about how deeply tied his self-worth is to his hockey persona and pondering his future and personal identity when he might no longer be able to play hockey.

Touch and Go Is Keaton’s Lowest-Grossing Film

Touch and Go Is Michael Keatons Most Overlooked GemTouch and Go Is Michael Keatons Most Overlooked Gem

In 1984, the movie “Touch and Go,” initially planned for a 1985 release, was filmed. At this point, Michael Keaton’s fame primarily stemmed from his comedic roles, a typecasting that had grown stronger over time. This was evident when “Touch and Go” was finally released in 1986, after Keaton’s successful comic performances in the films “Gung Ho” and “Johnny Dangerously.

The movie “Touch and Go,” with a production cost of $10 million, was withdrawn from distribution by Tri-Star Pictures, presumably due to their inability to devise an effective marketing strategy for the film. The inconsistent and unenthusiastic promotional efforts, which gave the impression that Touch and Go resembled Mr. Mom, left audiences perplexed, as demonstrated by its poor box-office earnings.

To start with, the movie “Touch and Go” earned less than $1.3 million at the box office during its short time in around 100 theaters – the smallest earnings for any film starring Keaton. Although other films featuring Keaton have had larger financial losses, such as the 1998 thriller “Desperate Measures,” the $1.3 million figure is the lowest gross for any of his starring movies. The 1987 action comedy film “The Squeeze” comes in second with a box-office total of about $2.2 million.

Touch and Go Is Worth Revisiting

Touch and Go Is Michael Keatons Most Overlooked GemTouch and Go Is Michael Keatons Most Overlooked Gem

Michael Keaton’s groundbreaking portrayal of Batman in the late 80s shattered the comedic mold he had been known for and opened doors to a diverse array of roles during the 1990s. Following Batman, he took on a chilling role in the 1990 psychological thriller Pacific Heights, where he played a malicious tenant who infested a couple’s home with cockroaches. Although comedy has remained a part of his repertoire for the past three and a half decades, particularly evident in his Oscar-nominated performance in the 2014 comedy-drama Birdman, the exuberant, unrestrained comedic energy that characterized much of his early career now appears as an almost forgotten piece of history.

Among the lesser-known films starring Keaton throughout his career, none are as underappreciated, given their initial box office returns, as the film “Touch and Go.” This movie showcases a captivating performance by Keaton that is intriguing to watch due to the range of his acting skills and the fascinating glimpse it offers into his future career trajectory. You can rent “Touch and Go” on Prime Video, Apple TV, or Google Play.

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2024-09-23 02:31