Return to Innocence

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

when there is no innocence to return to, 2008-12-17
It concerns complexities. And it does so with stark honesty and delves into an issue that seems so simple on the outside looking in. The reason of betrayal was the boy's been walked away from after begging not to have another back turned, another door closed, and the terrible abuse of silence and alone. br / br /Integrity is caught in a web and a web says this must always be looked at as in child molestation, which taints even the kindness of a word, brilliantly dissected by the lawyer uncomfortable as he may be with it. br / br /The ending, the resolution, that all important character witness, the warmth of it, the showing there have been no strings to cut, only a deepest thank you for seeing a former street boy as a person, and Christmas, and come back, putting his own reputation on the line for a friend. br / br /Though I doubt anyone can get a Phd. in writing the topic is not always as it seems, or be such an important part of New Horizons, it says much of how lonely this world, especially for children, and a kind man with an overflowing heart, can maintain dignity and every day of his life, give a place of safety to children with such dark, painful backgrounds. br / br /A somber, well-thought out film, it never loses its footing. And reminds that syndromes are sometimes not that at all---just a need to have a human being see you, really see you, and to lash out at, then to help--we are such needy persons and sometimes just sometimes a film comes along and says look this way over here--and consider.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

Run, Don't Walk, from this tepid tale, 2008-12-14
I couldn't believe I was watching the same movie about which others had raved - and still don't. Where to begin? Acting: the range is from amateur to abysmal. Plot - pure formula. Music - grating. Dialogue: stilted, sophomoric, sybaritic. Characters: flat, unbelievable, laughable. Color - only the very last frame. Film Noir? You betcha - with emphasis on noir - some scenes are so poorly lit you can hardly see the secondary characters. Editing? None. Direction? out to lunch. Story: barely-teen boy sexually abused under dear Mommy's tutelage goes into care, hero doctor tries to help, doctor's assistant is seduced by boy, hero finds out, gives assistant 24 hours to tell wife before exposure, assistant has car wreck and dies in hospital while boy watches, boy blames hero, accuses him of rape, case goes to trial Perry Mason would find laughably pathetic, hero is vindicated when boy recants, they end up hugging and all is beauty and light. Your imagination will be a much better experience than the movie. There - now you won't have to shell out your hard-earned money for this tripe, and can put something worthy on your shelf. Doubt me? Rent, don't buy. If you then decide to buy it, mea culpa - but it will only be money down the drain.

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

Greatness is not only in Hollywood Glamour, 2008-10-17
Even tough this movie is not fill with the typical Hollywood glamor. It is full a great story. It involves many topics. From how many times good deeds might be bad interpreted to How a help professional ethics sometimes are not the best. br / br /It is a great add to any one looking for movies with high psychological content. br / br /I'm writing this and I'm still amaze. This is a must.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

No return., 2008-07-31
Given the sexual hysteria that has been gripping the US for the past several decades this little film addresses something that is really common knowledge. Any accusation of underage sex is prosecuted to the full extent of the law, even as they vary state to state. This does take into account your 18 year old son sleeping with his 17 year old girl friend. Parent's retribution is swift. When we come to such minor/adult sex activity with anyone, it is prosecuted. But hold onto your hats,God help you if you have been accused of a same sex affair between and adult and a minor. All hell will be rained down onto you. No consideration is given to vindicating testimony or evidence. This super hot button issue drowns out any semblance of a coherent pursuit of the facts. Once 'branded', as the main character in this film, nothing can acquit you/him/her. No how, no way. His life is ruined despite any retraction of the accusation. br / br /Then, as a country, we wonder why there are not more foster parents willing to step up and foster kids. No one is now willing to take the risk of pissing off a foster child and be accused of nefarious actions. It is a nightmare of our own creation. Too bad that the children have to be its victims.

49 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

Small Movie, Big Topic, 2008-03-06
"Return to Innocence" br / br /Small Movie, Big Topic br / br /Amos Lassen br / br /"Return to Innocence" is a small film about a very serious problem, child abuse. It is filmed from the point of view of its main character, Tommy Jackson (Andrew Martin) and tells of a misguided youth growing up in a youth shelter. Glen Erskine (Richard Meese) is director and chief of New Horizons, a counseling center for abused boys. He is a child psychologist with an international reputation and impeccable credentials. Tommy Riley, on the otter hand is a victim of emotional, physical and sexual abuse since he was an infant. He is taken into custody by the Department of Social Services and placed at New Horizons after his mother is arrested for making and selling pornographic videos of him and selling them on the internet. While at New Horizons it seems that his life is finally coming together until it is discovered that he is having an intimate affair with one of his counselors. He strikes back at the man he believes is responsible for having his relationship destroyed--Glen Erskine. This sets the stage for a very dark and disturbing story of commitment and love, betrayal and forgiveness and redemption as well as an in depth look at the agendas and processes which are involved in prosecuting a case of child abuse. br / The movie looks and plays like a documentary but it is the performances that make this movie more than just another look at child abuse. However the movie does not answer the most urgent question that that it raises--is a sexual relationship between a boy and an adult always considered molestation and abuse and does it lead to negative effects on the boy? Is there really a difference between sexual predators and men who love boys? The audience is left to make this decision if they can consider it objectively. Glen Erskine embodies a devotion and a passion--he loves his boys and they, likewise, love him. Even without answering these questions, the movie has brought these issue to the fore and has dared to go where others have not. The topic of age of consent is one of the most complex in society. It depends on maturity, beliefs and backgrounds. The movie will not only blow you away, it will make you think br /