Echoes of Innocence

This movie is one that will require you to know who Joan of Arc is, so I did have to provide background info to my teen-aged grandchildren. However, when they watched this with me, they found the storyline and action every bit as intriguing as I did. Their perfunctory sighs soon turned to "shhh" whenever anyone spoke. On one hand I did have to explain some of the symbolism to them, but I do believe they would have enjoyed it just as much without my need to turn movies into teachable moments. I thought the acting was very good and the story was one that unfolded at a nice pace. I found it to be a film that not only spoke to a relevant issue for today's teens, but also presented a beautiful allegory to those of us who are Christians. Frankly, I have watched it several times, and I enjoy it more with each viewing. It certainly is a very thought-provoking film and one that I would recommend to others. The fact that the main character Sarah (Sara Simmonds) was not Catholic, yet her spiritual mentor was a Catholic priest (Benjamin Dane) was handled in a sympathetic yet realistic manner. The acting skills of both, plus the rest of the cast, was sheer delight to watch.

I came to this movie wanting to watch how young people today approach love and its meaning within the context of their preset religious and contextual environment but after watching the first 30 minutes realised that what I was actually watching was more akin to a public health announcement then a study of true love and its meaning to the youth of today.

The religious symbolism did not add to the movies message, if anything detracted from it, its constant moral pandering to the conservative "no sex before marriage" lobby skewed what could have been an insightful view into the life of a teenage women, torn between her ideals of true love and the real world.

For the most part this movie just did not chime with the reality of what its like to be a teenager or young person in our society today. Even though set in a modern high school the "kids" just did not seem to act as they do normally, rather it felt like we were in a time warp or alternate reality of how teens would act in the 1940's or 50's a very rigid, almost unreal feel to the action. Perhaps what annoyed me most about this movie was the cruel way in which it extolled its holier than thou attitude commending those enlightened enough to still be virgins while casting a dark devilish light upon those who lead a different perhaps less virtuous young persons life.

Perhaps to be fair I should add that the acting was above par for the main actors, however given the script and the heavy bias towards religious overtones without a smidgen of reality really just meant that it was an amazing achievement I actually sat through the entire movie instead of switching off and going to sleep.

High school films are the kind of thing that I tend to be in to. I'm not entirely sure where that comes from, I didn't have the best high school experience and that probably has something to do with it. I must like watching people navigate through the experience with what is often more complicated a time then I had. All the drama on screen makes my own seem less terrible. But at a certain point you have to realize that these on screen experiences are just actors playing a role and what ends up being watchable is not necessarily reality. Still, there's an element of comfort in it and that can't be discounted. More than likely because good drama is usually based on some element of truth. In that way the emotional elements take on a universal feel that everyone can relate to for anyone who has gone through the experience of the last 50 years of education where the modern high school experience originated in Western cultures.

Circumstances and technology will change over time, but high school is always just... well... high school. No one likes it, and if you ask some people no one ever really leaves it as you can look at the world and see elements of it in every day life. While watching Echoes of Innocence, I get the impression that the circumstances of today's high school student seems to be ideology. What is belief's place in the high school experience of today? Is there a place for religion and faith in the modern public system? Most people would be turned off by such an idea, but those questions in a lot of ways are more like themes to the film that are creeping around the sides of the film's main plot, much like the background scenery of the visuals or the setting of high school itself. The real story is driven by the character of Sara, a young girl who feels out of place and somewhat ostracized from her classmates. Reasons why are pretty clearly defined through a series of flashbacks which lay out who she is and why she acts the way she does. That coupled with a number of voice overs from Sara herself make her the most interesting character of the bunch, which include her best friend who is both supportive and critical, various classmates who are both put off and intrigued by her, and the new kid in school who joined the local paper and wants to do a story about Sara.

They all play a part in Sara's story but the characters themselves don't necessarily get clearly defined. More often then not they are inserted into Sara's story when necessary to give her someone to interact with. Her own journey is very much a solitary one, defined by her own actions and her own ideas about the world and what she wants from it rather then how she relates to others. This drags down the story somewhat but Sara's progression is defined clearly enough that she manages power through the weak bits. It gives her story the necessary elements not to be bored by it. Obvious parallels to Biblical elements are present but the filmmakers clearly pulled back enough so as not to come off like a preachy film. I'm honestly not sure whether that causes a problem for the film or whether it helps. I suppose it's 50/50 in that department. Still, I think the film is worth watching for anyone who wants to look back and remember the way they saw the world when they were that age. Perhaps give you a new perspective on the vision you have of the world today. I say check it out.

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What I found amazing in this first effort from director/writer Nathan Todd Simms, is that this small budgeted film packs a powerful punch. It is a brave and creative story. I don't think I have ever seen a film that took on such a controversial subject and told a story that was so engaging and imaginative. When I say controversial, I mean to say most filmmakers shy away from the sexual subject most teens struggle with. Many filmmakers take the traditional route we have all grown tired of seeing on the screen. This is a fresh approach. No, it is not a perfect film, there are some glitches – but the messages and extraordinary overall presentation make it an incredible project that succeeds on many levels. It doesn't just speak to the physical struggle within us but the spiritual forces that pull at us. I was impressed with the talent in ECHOES. In addition, the visual composition of the film is colorful and magical. Sometimes lingering a bit too long on a subject, yet it is full of color and grace. ECHOES challenges the viewer to see deeper, to feel deeper... don't attend this film expecting traditional storytelling. It is a unique combination of light and dark. It doesn't hide the dark yet it also offers a hope most films just don't seem to provide. I challenge the viewer to see beyond what is on the screen and see the true power of this little film. I predict most "religious" Christians will have some issues while the cynic will scoff at its approach, but in the end, it is a pioneering work that will hopefully open the door for more.

This movie is great! As an independent film it stands out far from Hollywood pictures as one that actually has a moral standard! The great thing about the film though, is that morality is not the star of the show. The decision of the main character to remain a virgin until marriage (which, contrary to popular belief, is a GOOD thing) is of course discussed and is a part of her character, but she is by no means preaching from a soapbox, it's simply who she is.

It is a love story with a lot of mystery and action thrown in the mix, and the love story happens to center around a virgin. Yes, love stories can be told without sex! This is also a very refreshing portrayal, and a more realistic one, than that of movies like "A Walk to Remember" where social recluse Mandy Moore tip toes around her school in a floor-length overall dress and goes nuts when she gets a new cardigan. In Echoes of Innocence, Sarah has real problems to deal with and does so realistically. She makes mistakes and she struggles with her faith.

Considering the budget of this film, the quality of the final product is a modern-day miracle.

Go see it. If not in theaters, get it when it comes out on DVD!