In Praise Of Older Women (1978)

Set in post WWII Hungary (although filmed in Canada), a gangly teenage boy (Tom Berenger) has difficulty with girls his own age. But he discovers that older women are not only more receptive but he can learn from them. It follows his sexual adventures from 1951 to 1963 with four women: Karen Black in 1951, Susan Strasberg in 1956, Alexandra Stewart in 1959 and Helen Shaver in 1963. Based on the novel by Stephen Vizinczey and directed by George Kaczender. While the film was a hot ticket at the Toronto film festival and went on to win four Canadian Film awards, it's an awkward piece of film making. For one, it's hard to believe that Tom Berenger would have any trouble getting a girl despite his lame pick up lines and at times, it feels he's exploiting these women rather than genuinely caring for them. The 1951 sequence with Karen Black has the most resonance, the others seem arbitrary. I've not read the Vizinczey source material but surely there must be more substance than what has been adapted here. With Marilyn Lightstone and Alberta Watson.