When
one peruses the credits of a straight-to-video title and sees the
above-billed star also featured as a producer, there’s understandably
cause for, A) concern, B ) snickering, C) both A and B, or D) questions
about whether Lebanese-born producer Elie Samaha is involved in what is
invariably described as a long-gestating “passion project” for said
actor. Thankfully there’s no need for D) with regards to Jenna Elfman’s
Touched (though the former Dharma & Greg star is a Scientologist and Samaha did have a hand in shepherding the god-awful Battlefield Earth
to the big screen). In the end, though, that doesn’t necessarily make
this straightforward and earnestly pitched tale of yearning and
you-can-do-it inspiration any more entertaining than your average
Lifetime tele-pic.

Written and directed by Timothy Scott Bogart (the short-lived small screen serial Mowgli: The New Adventures of the Jungle Book), Touched
(rated R, kids… but only for language) centers around loving young
father Scott (Randall Batinkoff), who awakens from two years in a coma
following a terrible auto accident to find his life completely changed.
As he struggles to cope with the loss of his son and the gaps in his
memory, he comes to realize that he is quite literally losing his
bearings and sense of touch.

On cue, enter Angela (Elfman), the nurse who tended to Scott during
his two lost years — the nurse with a kindred spirit and wounded past
of her own. Scott finds comfort and rootedness in Angela; she helps him
confront the realities of his new life and point him toward new
possibilities, showing him that there is a journey of hope and love in
the future. Does standard-issue dialogue about bereavement and
reclaimed hopefulness ensue? Check. Coy flirting around trees strung
with white Christmas lights? Check. Bruce Davison in a supporting role?
Check. Kisses in the rain? Well… you’ll have to watch the movie.

Look, Touched isn’t awful, but neither is it the most
commendable use of Elfman’s sunny-leaning talents. Granted, she’s not
the aggrieved lead herein, but even her casting opposite such seems to
wear off some of her luster. Surely there must be a television pilot or
indie big screen comedy out there in need of an irrepressible female
lead. Right?

Packaged in a regular Amray case, Touched is presented in
1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen, with a Dolby digital 5.1 audio track and
optional Spanish subtitles. There are, unfortunately for Elfman fans,
no supplemental extras to complement this DVD presentation, which does
seem strange given her producorial championing of the project. C- (Movie) D (Disc)