Innocence MPAA Rating: R Entertainment: +1 1/2 Content: -2

A first love is often never forgotten. The innocence of young lovers entering into a relationship can never be matched again. Such is the case of Andreas (Charles Tingwell) and Claire (Julia Blake). They were once young and in love but due to circumstances beyond their control, found themselves separated for good. Some forty years later, Andreas, now a widower in his late sixties, looks up Claire. An innocent meeting for lunch soon turns into full-blown adultery, as Claire is still married to John (Terry Norris), her husband of nearly forty years. The two elderly lovers are soon acting like teenagers, sneaking around behind people’s backs and having to be policed by their children. John quickly discovers the affair, which is when the great emotional struggles begin, especially for Julia. Does she go her own way, which makes her happy, or keep the commitment to her husband? INNOCENCE tells a rare story highlighting older characters and their thoughts on life. However, the plot is somewhat unbelievable. With its limited release, expect a low turnout at the box office.

Older people have traditionally been looked upon as sources of wisdom, insight, and experience for those younger. Therefore, it’s expected to see older characters who make tempered and discerning decisions informed by many life experiences. However, this film turns that notion on its head, with older leads propounding to know so much about life, love, and death, yet showing an incredible lack of wisdom in their daily actions. At first, Julia keeps her feelings toward Andreas within, refusing to act upon them. But she eventually yields to those feelings and stubbornly goes her own way, even as her husband attempts to account for his past mistakes. Some breast nudity and brief images of sexual encounters occur in flashbacks of the two lovers, which along with the adulterous theme causes this film to lose any INNOCENCE it may have.

Preview Reviewer: John Adair
Distributor: IDP Distribution, 1133 Broadway, Suite 926, NY, NY 10010