R I C H A R D  M E E S E

Richard Meese plays Glen Erskine, the lead role in "Return to Innocence." Richard was last seen in "Being Erin Brokovich", a short spoof that has been making the rounds of several Hollywood production companies. He also appeared in "Godsend", another LifeLine production, as Lee Kerns. On stage, he has appeared in numerous plays throughout southern California.  In 1996, he won the "Pati" award for Best Actor of the Year at Costa Mesa Playhouse for his performance as Alan Baker in "Come Blow Your Horn". He received his training at South Coast Repertory’s Professional Acting Conservatory, Hudson Theater Advanced Acting Workshop and the Groundlings Improv program. He currently resides in Long Beach.

Recently, we sat down with Richard and asked him a few questions about the film and his character.

  • You play the character of Glen Erskine. Can you tell us about him?

Glen is a straight shooter and a professional in every sense of the word. He is passionate about helping children and he is passionate about his controversial views on child molestation. He is not afraid to stand up for what he believes in. It is precisely this characteristic, however, that gets him into trouble. If he hadn't been so passionate and so committed on matters of principle, he may not have gotten into the horrific situation he now finds himself in. He is also a family man who deeply loves his wife and his children. It is this internal conflict between hurting his family and doing what he believes is right that makes him the interesting character that he is.
  • What do you admire most about Glen?

Glen cares about people, particularly young boys who have been neglected and abused. He wants to make a difference and that's what makes him special. He is also a man of his word and places principle above everything, including his own well-being. I don't think I could do that, but Glen does. That also makes him special.
  • Was it difficult to play Glen?

In reading the script, I thought it would be very difficult to play him. But as I got into the role, I discovered that the key element for this character was commitment. As long as I play him as a committed man in every scene, a man fervently committed to everything he was saying, it became easier and easier. There is also a gentleness and a vulnerability to him that comes from the page, and hopefully, on the screen. Those scenes provide the greatest challenge.
  • Tell us about your favorite scene in the movie.

My favorite scene in the film is the "interview" at DSS.  This is when it dawns on Glen for the first time that he is in a world of trouble. The walls of certainty and security that this man has built up over his life as a professional start to crack and tumble. The unraveling continues in the ensuing scenes, but here is where it all starts.
  • What do you think audiences will come away from "Return to Innocence" with?

I think they may have some real problems with Glen's philosophy of what constitutes child sex abuse, but I think they will admire his integrity and his unselfish love for children. I hope they come away understanding how something like this could happen to anyone and how terrifying an experience like that can be. Hopefully, in the future, people will withhold judgment on their fellow human beings until all the facts are in.