Customer Reviews

Return to Innocence - Collector's Edition DVD

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

The DVD/movie is about the fictional story of Tommy Jackson, a physically, emotionally, and sexually abused 13-year-old boy; the story was actually adapted from a novel. However, the movie feels real and is primarily about a sexual abuse case. The film is moving right from the opening scene, where the FBI arrests the boy's mother for making pronographic videos of him and selling them on the internet, as he stands in a room with a camera, clad in only boxer shorts--a very haunting scene. The rest of the film focuses on his relationships with two therapists in his new home, a treatment center, called New Horizons. However, the nature of Tommy's relationship with his counselor develops into a crossing of boundries that is exposed by the other therapist. But Tommy although seemingly confused and hurt by the events, will defend and even strike back to preserve their relationship, "keeping the secret." He pushes it all the way, resulting in a dramatic court case that examines the issue of sexual abuse from the angle of a professional on the subject, but with a twist, and who is defending his freedom and career.
At first, I wondered why the director chose a black and white medium, but then it became clear. This media added intensity to the film, or in the director's words, was used to make the film appear timeless, that is appropriate to any time period. The film is almost done documentary style with a voice over given by the lead character, played by Richard Meese, whose whole presence and voice are perfect for this role. Tommy, played by Andrew Martin, gives a very gifted performance for his age, 14, and due to the subject manner. The only acting perhaps could be improved upon was near the opening where a group of kids fronm the center are standing around talking. Their dialogue sounds as if they are merely line reading from a card, and doesn't sound natural. Of course these weren't real actors but kids the director asked to be in the film that were playing near by at the time of filming. Note this is not a violent or pronographic film and contains no nudity, sexual activites, etc. or even much profanity (it was unrated, just to clear all of this up but not because it contained all of these things) Although eventually by some, this film may be pigeon- holed as a "gay interest" film, but that would be misleading even inspite of the one apparently gay character protrayed (though under very negative circumstances this characte is, but yet only a character) in the film and the subject material of sexual abuse and relations between adults and minors. Both of the therapists Tommy are involved with are married men with children. (Not exactly the dirty old man molesting young boy theme here.) Rather, the film as does the character looks to examine loving relationships between men and boys, in a truly caring way, not the NAMBLA way.
Anyhow, I would especially recommend this film to those who work with abused children and mental health/health care professionals. Having worked in this area, I thought this film was a good protrayal of a kid with these issues and behavior. Really, this film could be enjoyed by many people and therapeutic even to a mature audience, or those dealing with these issues. The film is very emotional and uplifting and provides some closure and resolution, all good elements in a film and therapy. The only thing is the film did focus more on the adults in the situation, rather than Tommy, but that's the context of the story. It does not dwell on or dive into great detail of Tommy's previous or even current experience of "abuse" but nevertheless, the viewer sees Tommy's emotional resolutions in the course of the film. Go out of your way to see this film and you may have to as it isn't in theatres, on tv, or available everywhere--but worth watching.

Based on the subdued novel, which is a very good read, Return to Innocence tackles the issue of an alleged sexual abuse on a minor, with the unique spin of placing the man in the position of victim and the boy as aggressor. You really get a sense of the danger the man is in and you find yourself pulling for him during the trial. Richard Meese (the man) nails the sympathetic male role to perfection, while Andrew Martin (the boy) does a very convincing job at making you love and hate him at the same time. This film is not for everyone, but those of us who work amongst children as I do (teacher) will find this little film to be an educational tool in addition to its entertainment value. It is a well-crafted movie, and a true example of independent cinema at its best. .

"Return To Innocence" is a low-budget, black and white, independent feature focusing on a very provacative subject: sexual child abuse. Despite the boy in the bed on the DVD box cover, the film is not exploitative or sensational. It deals with the exlposive subject with care and understanding, not only for the characters, whose story it tells, but the young actors asked to portray the victim(s). It's a bit talky at times, almost more court-room drama than anything else, but a compelling drama overall. This is the kind low-budget movie and raw, provacative story that rarely makes it to theaters, so it is pretty courageous for the writer, producer, director to have made the movie in the first place, and then to have released it (many years after it was finished) on DVD. It is certainly worth finding and watching. I congratulate the actors and all the production people for their talent and their effort.

As the previous reviewers have stated, this is indeed a powerful film. However, its the premise and some (certainly not all) of the performances which make it so. The film itself leaves much to be desired. The thankfully original and wholly worthy premise is that a 13 year-old boy who was once sexually exploited by his own mother happens to be in love with an older married man who is now his counselor. There is a mutual and highly plausible love between the boy and the man. But when its discovered that the man has had sex with the boy, the man, of course, must pay. His job, his career, his reputation, his life with the wife he loves (whos expecting a child), will all be lost when the news is made public. When the man dies from wounds sustained in an accident, the boy avenges the mans accuser by claiming the accuser  not the man he loved  molested the boy. The remainder of the film is devoted to the accusers trial  and, in a nice twist, the accusers guarding of the boys secret from the eyes of the law, which could certainly never understand. Most of the performances in the film seem completely amateurish with the notable exception of the boy, Tommy, played with a sad, noble innocence by Andrew Martin (who has only two gratuitous underwear shots and conveys a very convincing need to be loved, really loved, throughout). The accuser, his lawyer and the trial judge also play their parts very effectively. The films direction, brave and welcome as it may be to present a story of this magnitude, seems far more hackneyed. The choice of black and white video filming may seem ultra cheap (the movie was never transferred to film), but it lends the atmosphere a somewhat appropriate air of exploitation documentary like youd expect to see on late-night cable TV. But the incessant talking (everybody has A LOT to say in this film) and the annoying two takes that director Rocky Costanzo uses in almost every one of the far too long dialog scenes are unnecessary AND unartful (one speaker bathed by white, another speaker bathed in black, back and forth, back and forth, back and forthyou get the point). Id recommend this film to any of the witch hunters out for so-called child molesters who dont understand the potential of love that a boy can have for a man and the love that a man can have for a boy. But it doesnt matter. The only people who will see this film  or care about its message  are the people who already agree with its premise. Interesting, none the less.

Return to Innocence is a film produced and directed entirely from the OC (Orange County) with a low budget, in black and white, in 2001, but was released recently (May 2007.). It's director Rocky Costanzo tries to portray one of those controversial and taboo topics, child molestation and sexual abuse.

The main two characters, Dr. Glen Erskine, is a PH.D. in clinical psychology, specializing in the area of man and boy relationships, and pedophiles. He is an expert, and published extensively, about whether a man can have a loving and caring relationship with a boy, raising eyebrows and causing him to be suspicious of pedophile. Dr. Erskine is a member of the New Horizons, a home that houses troubled teens awarded to them by the court.

Tommy, (Andrew Martin), is a troubled teen who has been abused since early life (his mother.) He has consensual sex with one of Dr. Erskin counselor (Tommy's counselor.) After learning of this, Dr. Erskin confronts the counselor and he dies of a suicidal attempt. Tommy becomes very upset, and in his anger he accuses Dr. Erskin of molesting him. Because of circumstantial events between Dr. Erskin and Tommy as part of the treatment, he looks real bad in the eyes of the law.

There is a trial of Dr. Erskin and he is defended by a long time friend (since he is a boy) Jim (Steve De Forest). Jim proves that his friend Glen is not guilty. At the end, Tommy breaks down and admits that he had fabricated the whole thing.

Return to Innocence is a term used in which even if someone is absolved from a child molestation crime, that person still labeled and branded for the rest of their life, meaning can not return to innocence. Dr. Esrkin return to his practice at New Horizons (he was suspended during the trial.) Tommy is placed in a loving foster home.

Return to Innocence is a good drama, the actors are admirable and realistic in their acting. The issues are troubled and controversial, but a sadness of reality, of sick and disturbing minds. It is a low budget movie with no big movie fanfare. There is some special features of a reunion of all the main characters in May 2007.

This was a refreshing change of pace from the last 4 or 5 movies I have seen. RTI is a very entertaining movie. The acting was believable and the story held me down. But since I almost never give movies an "A" grade, I must say destructively that the film could have been polished up a bit. I noticed a few mistakes but I guess that is expected from a young director. I do however recommend the movie to any one interested in court cases.

For his directorial debut, Rocky Costanzo has chosen an uncommonly ambitious story that tries to comment on child abuse and the prejudices surrounding an intergenerational relationship. Unfortunately for him though, the screenplay by Gary Frazier touches on issues of homosexuality and pedophilia, which even in the hands of an experienced director may have been difficult to get across the factual emotions and reactions necessary to lift the film from the level of simple drama to that of extraordinary motion picture. Occasional missteps cause this film to get abandoned somewhere along the way, but despite its flaws, it is an affecting film and surprisingly good for someone's directorial debut.

This movie grabs you from the beginning and keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very end. I was particularly impressed with the chilling portrayal of how small-minded and arrogant the legal system can be in trying to preserve the innocence of our youth. The system stinks; Costanzo's movie does not. It's a powerful and provocative achievement from a first-time filmmaker of enormous promise. The Black & White medium really intensified the drama of the film, and quite boldly states that this could most certainly happen to anyone! This is a must see movie for parents, teens and anyone planning on being mentor or counseling troubled youths.

I caught this movie at the local art-house about a year ago, and got wrapped up in it. I haven't read the book so I can't compare the two. I thought this was an intelligent and entertaining movie. It has a good ending - not sure if it's a happy ending or not. There were only a few times I found scenes to be a little on the long side - like when the doctor is trying to get the boys' counselor to admit what he did (I won't spoil it here) but I thought the doctor was great and I was rooting for him all the way to the end. If you are looking for more of a simple movie, you will probably like this one. No computer generation, no special effects - just good old-fashioned storytelling.

This is a serious film about a very controversial subject, and all the people who participated in it deserve credit for their courage. That said, the film sometimes comes across as a third rate melodrama, some of the acting is not too good, especially in the first part of the film, and some of the plot points are not convincing. More films, and much discussion, on this topic are needed. The boy who played the part of Tommy was the best actor in the film.