Touchy Feely (2013) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

The story follows several damaged relationships as physical touch, professional identity, and emotional loyalty become intertwined.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

The Refusal of Touch

Abby develops an aversion to skin just as Jesse asks her to move in. Her condition causes her to leave work and destabilizes their relationship.

Key Events

• Abby Develops Skin Aversion — Abby, a massage therapist, develops an intense aversion to skin. Characters: Abby Location: Abby's work
• Jesse Proposes Moving In — Jesse asks Abby to move in with him as her aversion begins. Characters: Abby, Jesse Location: Jesse's apartment
• Abby Takes Leave — Abby takes a temporary leave of absence because touch has become unbearable. Characters: Abby Location: Abby's work
• Touch Damages Relationship — Abby cannot touch Jesse or allow him to touch her. Characters: Abby, Jesse Location: Jesse's apartment
• Ecstasy Suggestion — Abby suggests taking ecstasy obtained from Bronwyn. Characters: Abby, Jesse, Bronwyn Location: Jesse's apartment

A Practice Transformed

Paul's failing dental practice changes after he accidentally cures Henry. The apparent healing success attracts new clients and encourages Paul to seek Reiki from Bronwyn.

Key Events

• Abby Rejects Cohabitation — Abby decides not to move in with Jesse. Characters: Abby, Jesse Location: Jesse's apartment
• Paul's Practice Declines — Paul struggles financially as the family dental practice loses patients. Characters: Paul, Jenny Location: Family dentistry practice
• Henry Receives Cleaning — Jenny brings Henry for a routine cleaning, displeasing Paul. Characters: Paul, Jenny, Henry Location: Family dentistry practice
• Henry Is Accidentally Cured — Paul accidentally cures Henry's temporomandibular joint dysfunction. Characters: Paul, Henry Location: Family dentistry practice
• Healing Reputation Grows — News of Paul's healing powers attracts new clients. Characters: Paul Location: Family dentistry practice

Collapse of Confidence

A disgruntled patient publicly calls Paul a fraud, after which his new patients disappear. Jenny is distressed by her father's return to his former state.

Key Events

• Paul Seeks Reiki — Paul visits Bronwyn to learn Reiki and improve his treatments. Characters: Paul, Bronwyn Location: Bronwyn's home
• Patient Denounces Paul — A disgruntled patient collapses while screaming that Paul is a fraud. Characters: Paul Location: Family dentistry practice
• Practice Loses Its Patients — Paul's fortunes reverse, and the other patients disappear. Characters: Paul, Jenny Location: Family dentistry practice
• Jenny Runs Out Crying — Jenny runs out of the office after watching Paul revert to his former self. Characters: Paul, Jenny Location: Family dentistry practice

Uncertain Escapes

Abby leaves Jesse and moves in with Paul before taking ecstasy and wandering through a park. Adrian brings her to his grandmother's home, where she briefly regains the ability to touch.

Key Events

• Abby Leaves Jesse — Abby leaves Jesse a break-up note and moves in with Paul. Characters: Abby, Jesse, Paul Location: Jesse's apartment
• Abby Takes Ecstasy — Abby takes an ecstasy pill and wanders through a park. Characters: Abby Location: Park
• Adrian Helps Abby — Adrian takes Abby to his grandmother's home, where she can touch him. Characters: Abby, Adrian Location: Adrian's grandmother's home
• Paul Kisses Bronwyn — Paul takes the remaining ecstasy tablet and eventually kisses Bronwyn. Characters: Paul, Bronwyn Location: Bronwyn's home

A Difficult Return

Paul takes the remaining tablet and kisses Bronwyn. Jenny tests Jesse's feelings, but he refuses her because he loves Abby; Abby finally returns and hugs Jesse.

Key Events

• Jenny Tests Jesse's Loyalty — Jenny attends Henry's concert with Jesse and asks him to kiss her. Characters: Jenny, Jesse, Henry Location: Jesse's apartment
• Abby Hugs Jesse — After Jenny falls asleep there, Abby arrives and is able to hug Jesse. Characters: Abby, Jesse, Jenny Location: Jesse's apartment

Story Breakdown

• Abby's Physical Crisis — Abby develops an aversion to skin that prevents her from working and from maintaining ordinary intimacy.
  • Skin Aversion — Abby suddenly finds physical contact disgusting.
  • Leave From Work — She takes a temporary leave from massage therapy.
• Jesse Relationship Strain — Jesse's wish to live with Abby clashes with her inability to touch him.
  • Moving In Request — Jesse asks Abby to move in with him.
  • Breakup Note — Abby decides against cohabitation and leaves Jesse.
• Paul's Healing Rise — Paul's failing dental practice unexpectedly improves after he cures Henry.
  • Henry's Treatment — A routine cleaning results in Henry's accidental cure.
  • New Clients Arrive — News of Paul's healing powers attracts patients.
• Professional Collapse — Paul's newfound reputation disappears after a patient denounces him publicly.
  • Reiki Training — Paul visits Bronwyn to learn Reiki.
  • Fraud Accusation — A disgruntled patient calls Paul a fraud and the patients vanish.
• Drug-Fueled Encounters — Ecstasy creates temporary escapes and unexpected intimacy for Abby and Paul.
  • Adrian's Shelter — Adrian takes Abby to his grandmother's home.
  • Bronwyn's Kiss — Paul reaches Bronwyn's home and kisses her.
• Loyalty And Return — Jenny tests Jesse's feelings, while Abby returns with a newly possible gesture of affection.
  • Jesse Rejects Jenny — Jesse refuses Jenny's kiss because he loves Abby.
  • Final Hug — Abby arrives and is able to hug Jesse.

Directed by

Lynn Shelton

Key Cast

• Rosemarie DeWitt — Abby
• Allison Janney — Bronwyn
• Ron Livingston — Adrian
• Scoot McNairy — Jesse
• Tomo Nakayama — Henry