John Ritter plays as a 29 year old bachelor, Robert Christenberry, successful attorney with a prominent law firm who falls in love with a legal investigator assigned to his office, Isobel Ross (Karen Carlson), age 43, and while Robert opens his heart and craves marriage with her, Isobel, divorced with a 24 year old daughter, holds a more sensible attitude toward their affair, and complications result, both at and away from their workplace. The film is based upon David Kaufelt's debut novel, "Six Months With An Older Woman", with its script by Michael Norell displaying significant changes, e.g., shaving a couple of years off the age of the "older woman", repositioning the work environment of the lovers from publishing to law, and eliding Robert's parallel thralldom to his mother and his psychiatrist, each of whom potentially endangers Robert's bond with Isobel. The work is set in San Francisco and shot there for television, with that medium's pedigree in evidence throughout, including a cobbled score, reliance upon single takes, and erratic editing, particularly pertinent to the sound, but cinematographer Thomas Del Ruth utilizes the scenic locations very well and, following a somewhat unimaginative opening, the film begins to construct itself from within, as it were, despite these flaws, until at last naturalistic emotion controls the scenario. The piece is loosely directed, resulting in its becoming actor driven, with dialogue often trite but yet increasingly percipient as the action progresses, Carlson earning acting laurels for her layered performance as a woman giving in to passion while not losing sight of a higher reality, a deftly defined performance, helping lead this interesting film to its pleasing and only temperately ambiguous ending.

The comedy genre refers to a category of entertainment that aims to amuse and entertain audiences by using humor, wit, and comedic situations. Comedies are created with the primary intention of eliciting laughter and providing lighthearted enjoyment. They encompass a wide range of styles, tones, and themes, appealing to various tastes and audiences.

Will Ferrell, Angela Grillo, and Lap-Gei Cheung in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)

The drama genre is a broad category that features stories portraying human experiences, emotions, conflicts, and relationships in a realistic and emotionally impactful way. Dramas delve into the complexities of human life, often exploring themes of love, loss, morality, societal issues, personal growth, with the aim to evoke an emotional response from the audience by presenting relatable and thought-provoking stories.

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A 29-year-old lawyer (Ritter), falls for a 43-year-old woman (Carlson).

John Ritter and Karen Carlson in In Love with an Older Woman (1982)

The Biggest Movies and TV Coming in September

"The Gentlemen" and "Slow Horses" return this fall, while the "Reacher" spin-off series "Neagley" makes its debut. See our guide of the biggest Fall TV and streaming releases.

2026 Fall TV and Streaming Watch Guide

&quot;The Gentlemen&quot; and &quot;Slow Horses&quot; return this fall, while the &quot;Reacher&quot; spin-off series &quot;Neagley&quot; makes its debut. See our guide of the biggest Fall TV and streaming releases.

Get a closer look at these actors from their many TV and streaming series roles.

Streaming Stars, Then and Now

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John Ritter and Katey Sagal in Chance of a Lifetime (1998)

Olivia Barash, Clark Brandon, Jimmy Brogan, Dixie Carter, Hannah Dean, Eileen Heckart, Shane Keller, Tammy Lauren, and Jason D. Keller in Out of the Blue (1979)

Anne Archer and John Ritter in Hero at Large (1980)

In Love with an Older Woman

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