I first encountered Touch and Go on the USA cable network, in the late 1980's. It was a pleasant little movie, perfect for a quiet afternoon. The film starts out with three masked figures cracking open a safe and making off with the money inside. A car chase ensues, with the bandits making a car switch in a parking garage, revealing the gimmick: the crooks are three attractive women. But, wait, there's more; the money is to help a school! Our criminals are three lady Robin Hoods. Unfortunately, one of our trio isn't very good with numbers (so she is trusted with the accounting) and it turns out their haul is not enough. They stumble upon a target for an even bigger score: a luxury resort hotel. However, to pull it off, they need help and must recruit three more women. Plans are made and the caper unfolds; but, of course, things don't go exactly according to plan.
The film is hardly groundbreaking, but it is entertaining enough if you keep your expectations in the middle ground. The acting isn't likely to win awards but it serves the story. The plot, as in many caper comedies, depends on everyone else acting stupid and never asking questions or checking the obvious. For instance, after the initial robbery, the police are at a loss, despite picking up the getaway car. Apparently the ladies are experts at removing all forensic evidence in the span of a few minutes. Later, when one of the trio goes to the resort undercover, as a journalist, no one bothers to check her credentials and all aspects of the security system are discussed. Now, it is played that the manager is infatuated with the woman, but no one else ever questions him about the woman either. None of the extra women recruited for the heist has any moral qualms about what they are doing, despite having no criminal background. Instead, they all dive in with gusto. No one ever asks for an accounting of the money donated to the school and no laundering is done beforehand. You get the picture.
So, if you ignore logic, then there is a pretty good time to be had. It's 1980, so there is plenty of disco clothes and music, and some silly stereotypes, how else to show these ladies are more than they seem? You aren't likely to bust a gut laughing, but you will at least smile. Everyone is likable and they get their moments. The film looks like it was shot on a TV budget and will never challenge movies like Gallipoli, Breaker Morant, or The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert for top honors of Australian cinema.
Unfortunately, you won't find this on DVD in the US and the VHS wasn't that readily available, but if you stumble across it, and the price is right, give it a try (or, if by some miracle, it turns up on a cable channel). It's perfect for a rainy day.
The film is hardly groundbreaking, but it is entertaining enough if you keep your expectations in the middle ground. The acting isn't likely to win awards but it serves the story. The plot, as in many caper comedies, depends on everyone else acting stupid and never asking questions or checking the obvious. For instance, after the initial robbery, the police are at a loss, despite picking up the getaway car. Apparently the ladies are experts at removing all forensic evidence in the span of a few minutes. Later, when one of the trio goes to the resort undercover, as a journalist, no one bothers to check her credentials and all aspects of the security system are discussed. Now, it is played that the manager is infatuated with the woman, but no one else ever questions him about the woman either. None of the extra women recruited for the heist has any moral qualms about what they are doing, despite having no criminal background. Instead, they all dive in with gusto. No one ever asks for an accounting of the money donated to the school and no laundering is done beforehand. You get the picture.
So, if you ignore logic, then there is a pretty good time to be had. It's 1980, so there is plenty of disco clothes and music, and some silly stereotypes, how else to show these ladies are more than they seem? You aren't likely to bust a gut laughing, but you will at least smile. Everyone is likable and they get their moments. The film looks like it was shot on a TV budget and will never challenge movies like Gallipoli, Breaker Morant, or The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert for top honors of Australian cinema.
Unfortunately, you won't find this on DVD in the US and the VHS wasn't that readily available, but if you stumble across it, and the price is right, give it a try (or, if by some miracle, it turns up on a cable channel). It's perfect for a rainy day.
