Our Time / Death of Her Innocence (1974)

Our Time / Death of Her Innocence (1974)

“Boy, I sure don’t see what all the fuss is about.”

Synopsis:
At a boarding school in the 1950s, two friends — Abby (Pamela Sue Martin) and Muffy (Betsy Slade) — lose their virginity, with unexpected consequences.

Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:

  • Boarding School
  • Coming of Age
  • Sexuality
  • Virginity

Review:
While it doesn’t exactly cover new territory, Peter Hyams’ Our Time (which aired on television under the more lurid title Death of Her Innocence) offers a reasonably authentic look at teenage sexuality and its occasionally devastating consequences. The screenplay begins by following the travails of Abby (Martin), who’s genuinely in love with her boyfriend (Parker Stevenson) and trying to decide whether it’s okay to have sex with him before marriage; meanwhile, her friend Muffy (Slade) longs for a relationship with handsome “Buzzy” Knight (Michael Gray) while failing to see the appeal of her loyal longtime admirer, Malcolm (George O’Hanlon, Jr.). Soon the story shifts to Muffy’s life-changing dilemma as she makes an unwise decision during a moment of emotional pain, and ends up paying dearly for it. While her story is compelling, however, Hyams is unable to elicit truly natural performances from his cast of likable actors — even Slade (Brian De Palma’s first choice to play the lead role in Carrie) fails to make the most of her sympathetic character. Ultimately, Our Time will be of most interest to fans of coming-of-age stories, but isn’t must-see viewing for all-purpose film fanatics.

Redeeming Qualities and Moments:

  • A sensitive look at teenage sexuality and its consequences

Must See?
No, but it will likely be of interest to coming-of-age fans.

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One thought on “Our Time / Death of Her Innocence (1974)

  1. Not a must.

    A plotless, Lifetime-for-Teens movie.

    Until the last 1/2-hour, this is the somewhat-overwrought tale of repressed, mid-1950s adolescents overwhelmed by the ‘surreality’ of sex.

    The last 30 min. unveils a harrowing section dealing with the once-very-dark-side of abortion.

    I’m sure the movie means well.

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