Fair Haven (2016) User Reviews

Not perfect, but well-acted and very uplifting

[chillbro-42187 · 7/10 · 30 October 2016]

Like the title says, this movie isn't perfect because there's a lot of "stuff" going on that can't all be tackled in 90 minutes. Of course, that doesn't necessarily mean that the film needed to be longer.

Viewer may be left asking for some more backstory on a couple of things, and one of the most critical plot-lines of the movie isn't really referenced or confronted very much outside of flashbacks. I understand that may have been intentional, however I don't think it was successful.

With that said, the positive outweighs the negatives big time with this film. It really is a genuine love story with great chemistry between Michael Grant, who plays James; and Josh Green, who plays Charlie. There are moments in the film that captivate you a bit, because of how genuinely you can tell that one cares for the other despite rough times.

The personal struggles of the father are also well-acted, with a number of subtleties that come through really well for a middle-aged, depressed man dealing with the crumbling of everything he knows.

This movie is one of those gay coming-of-age films that really will warm your heart because of the acting. Definitely worth your time.

Good Movie, Infuriating Subject.

[zinderel · 8/10 · 2 February 2017]

19 year old James (Michael Grant), a young gay man with dreams of pursuing an education in music, is returning home to his family's apple farm (the titular Fair Haven Orchard) after spending several months at an ex-gay camp, which we learn more about through scattered flashbacks. He is met by his father, Rick (Tom Wopat), a gruff and distant authority figure who James clearly fears, who reveals to James that the young man's college plans are basically finished because the father took the boy's college fund and spent it on the failing orchard while his son was getting 'therapy'. When James expresses desire to play piano professionally - a dream he clearly cherishes, and has a chance at, given the quality of the brief performances we see throughout the film - Dad insists that James go to a tech school, and learn to run the orchard after he passes.

Believing himself to have little other recourse, James starts helping around the orchard, and one day is asked to deliver some crates to a buyer. When James arrives at the buyer, he is surprised to discover that the young man accepting deliveries is his former boyfriend Charlie (Josh Green), who is cautiously thrilled to see James and worried about what happened during his time away. James suffers a kind of existential panic, and flees, rushing home to ask - beg - to go to church, where the sermon is, of course, all about 'sin' and 'lust'. As they leave, James is rather quickly set up with the pastors daughter, Suzie (Lily Anne Harrison), a sweet girl with a promise ring and the kind of rosy-cheeked, innocent vigor for Christ that you only read about. Despite his complicated feelings about...well, EVERYTHING...James begins to date Suzie, while also re-igniting his friendship with Charlie and working with his father.

To say more would be to straight up synopsize the entire film, so I'll leave off there and move to the review.

"Should I see this movie?" I think it really depends on you. If you are a member of one of the denominations of 'Christianity' which believes the things espoused by the camp and church in the film, then you will not like it. But then, you likely didn't finish the review anyway, so...who cares? If you, like me, are someone who has gone through the struggle to balance a religious upbringing and 'deviant' sexuality, has suffered abuse, however unintentional, at the hand of a distant parent, or are just the kind of person who likes a well-crafted, well-acted film about controversial subjects and human nature - one that, blessedly, doesn't end with the main character dying or losing everything or closeted and miserable - then I'd say it's worth the ticket price. And more than one viewing.

Two gay kids in a small farming town

[bkoganbing · 8/10 · 21 May 2017]

When Fair Haven came to my attention at first I thought it was going to be about the ill effects of conversion therapy. But that was only part of it. What it really is about is gay life or the lack thereof in small town America.

Young Michael Grant has just returned home after an extended stay with Gregory Harrison who is a man advertising he can cure the gay disease. His father Tom Wopat who has not yet gotten over the loss of his wife and Grant's mother is a distant figure carrying on the responsibility of running the family farm which has been in his family for generations in Red State America and he wants his son to carry on. Grant however here and in real life is a pianist and he wants to go to a school to study music.

This gay thing they both hope is history because Wopat spent enough money on this place he found on line. One who is glad to see Grant is Josh Green who was Grant's lover and whom it is whispered about. But as per what he's been told he angrily pushes Green away. But I think you can safely assume that will not be permanent.

Harrison does very well in a part that could have been satirized and stereotyped. In his flashback counseling sessions, Harrison has some degrees on his wall, but most prominent is that cross right in the center. He cannot think outside the box his religion has him in. In a group counseling session he tells of the absolute impossibility of romantic love between a same gender pair. We're put here on earth to pro-create and romance is only for heterosexuals. This notion is at the heart of the opponents of conversion therapy ban. And since it is not sanctioned in the only written authority that they recognize, the Bible, ergo it is wrong and a sin. Evidence before their eyes notwithstanding.

Fair Haven is more about how life is in small town America for gays. Rule of thumb I've found is that LGBT people for about 99% leave small towns and go to cities just to find a community. Farther away you are from a big city the lonelier you are if you are gay. Poor Green who has been less discreet also gets beaten up by some unknown rednecks. That event also triggers Grant into making him realize he was born this way.

In the end Wopat shows he's not the bad guy we initially think he is. What the future holds for Grant and Green we don't know. But that very speculation partly makes Fair Haven a great film. The rest is a realistic portrayal of small town America not stereotyped at all.

Surprisingly good

[Gordon-11 · 23 December 2020]

The story is very engaging and very believable. The two leads are fantastic, and I hope they will appear in a lot more films!

The Acting lifts the Story

[breckstewart · 7/10 · 13 April 2019]

For some reason, I had a hard time getting into this movie. I would watch a few minutes then stop and did this a couple of times before finally deciding to give it a chance a few weeks after my first trial. Obviously the subject matter doesn't make this an entertainment film and I guess I had to be in the proper mood to let it flow properly.

Once I started to care about the characters it made for an interesting journey although the story is not the strong point. I didn't particularly like the back and forth between the conversion therapy scenes with the lead boy and his return home and felt like the flashbacks were distracting. But the one thing that kept me going was the acting which is stronger than I anticipated.

Michael Grant (as James Grant ironically) is by far the best thing here and his acting is very strong and believable. The supporting actors are also good especially Josh Green as Charlie Green and I have to mention that the 2 boys having the same last name as their characters can't be just a coincidence but it doesn't add or detract from the plot.

I also found the ending satisfying which is why I gave this a strong 7 stars even though this is by no means a great movie but the subject matter is handled with sensitivity and efficiently enough to make this venture a film to recommend. Obviously, if you are looking for a feel good flick this is not for you but if you feel like diving into a difficult subject handled with care, you may actually enjoy it.

Nice Movie with a happy ending.

[jmc56825682 · 6/10 · 4 August 2017]

This movie touches on conversion therapy which has been proved to screw people up. It has some charm, and the acting is fine. It was a bit formulaic, with the gay son and his dad not getting along, been then again that is true with a lot of gay men, but of course not all. It would have been nice to see gay actors playing these parts, but I also realize they need some actors with some sort of a fan base so the movie gets seen. This film was not life changing, but is worth a look, and who does not like a hopeful, happy ending?

Great acting and writing make for an exceptional gay-themed film

[jerry-70896 · 9/10 · 4 February 2020]

Very few low budget gay-themed films have both good acting and a good script. This film has both. As others have said, it would have been nice to see how the two guys made it in the city as well as the father after selling the farm. Maybe they could do a sequel or get cast and writers together for another movie on a different subject. Anyway, fantastic job by all involved,

Simple, but powerful

[uncsbuddy91 · 7/10 · 4 March 2018]

The lead actor does a phenomenal job of portraying internal struggle and self-hatred. The body language and facial expressions showed the complexity beautifully. The father was a good portrayal of the traditional values man who loves his son and wants what's best. I hoped for a longer display of the boys' romance, but it was fulfilling in the love shown during their interactions.

Casting Against Type

[B24 · 10/10 · 23 December 2019]

A simple and straightforward low-budget film like this one, made on location within a short time span, can excel on its own when a good script is backed up by accomplished actors whose talent shines through each and every scene. That talent is accentuated when main characters like the psychologist, the father, and the two leads in this film are effectively cast against type, managing to heighten dramatic impact over and above a modest narrative. Although there are moments that drag on a bit long, and flashbacks can be confusing, I find no fault with the overall production. Look for Harrison to be a smug reactionary, Wopat a downbeat parent, Green to be serious and deep, and Grant to show unexpected real musical ability. A big win all around.

Formulaic, not bad.

[Bill-i-am · 7/10 · 16 January 2023]

How many cliches can you cram into one little movie? Many. It isn't that this is bad. It's sort of tepid and breaks absolutely no new ground. This is a story that's been told to death.

It was nice to see Tom Wopat and Gregory Harrison, both quite capable in their roles. I've noticed a lot of praise for Michael Grant, and he was good as well. But I thought Josh Green was mostly overlooked for his performance.

The story unfolds without surprises. There is nothing in the script to account for Richard's epiphany and sudden change of heart when it came to selling the family farm. A couple of minor, incidental conversations did not convince me. The sudden decision to sell the farm kind of ruined the film for me. Just didn't ring true.

This is not how a young man forced into conversion therapy would react

[tr-83495 · 1/10 · 10 June 2019]

Only if the son is still thoroughly brainwashed by mythical stories from the Bible would a person react in such a manner. Young men released from conversion centers come to the realization quickly that they are being brainwashed and they want out. The forced brainwashing of youth is against the law in most educated states.

Excellent film. Excellent actors.

[jromanbaker · 10/10 · 20 July 2021]

A young man played beautifully by Michael Grant returns to his small home town hoping to take up music. His mother is dead and his father has spent the money needed for him to do that. James (Grant) has also just returned from conversion therapy, as he is gay, and has been almost brain washed to believe that homosexuality is sinful, and makes an attempt at having a girl friend. Alienated from his father who runs an apple farm he feels conflicted and alone. He has also left his male lover in the town and his natural feelings towards him are repressed, but Josh Green who superbly plays Charlie his young lover is brutally attacked by locals, and James realises he has to take positive action. End of spoilers. This is a quiet film, and despite my high praise for ' Boy Erased ' that partly covered similar territory I feel this is for me the better film. The direction is excellent, and all the characters convince 100%. The reason for that is that the love affair between Michael and Josh is treated with so much tenderness, and beauty of feeling that in my opinion is rarely seen in Gay/Queer cinema. The central scene of them about to make love, and I do mean love is one of the most moving scenes I have seen on film. The naturalness is delicate, and yet full of strength and it alone denies everything Michael has been told while enduring conversion therapy which we see in flashbacks. What is a great film, I asked myself ? That is almost as subjective as love itself, and you just know it when you see it. Anyone who cares about humanity and love ( and no, not the sentimental love so often thrown at us ) should see this film, and I do not think this film as cinema will ever be dated. True cinema.

What's right for his eye is wrong for around him!

[Reno-Rangan · 6/10 · 24 September 2017]

Did not get what I was looking for, but the film was enjoyable for its simpleness. Ordinary characters like you could find them in rural, and they are fighting for their beliefs. Caught between what's right for his own eye, but wrong for others, a teenager named James who is about to admit to a college is tangled up in a romance puzzle. After returning from rehab, now he has to comply with the expectations around him. His father does all he can to help him out, but seems not understood his position very well. In his short period of stay before the college, all the developments he sees are revealed to us.

For a B movie, it has a better quality. Impressive in all the level, but not very exciting screenplay. Usually predictable scenes and dialogues. Seems more like would have been a better short film than a feature film. Being a 90 minute stretch, there's nothing to remember the film after a few days its watch. Everything's are already seen in one or the other films. So watching it once would make you no harm, but not a must see, even if you are a big backer of LGBT. Just have a low expectation, that's all.

6/10

Sweet little movie

[qui_j · 5/10 · 21 September 2021]

This is a sweet, but not a very good production. The script is childish and simple, and the dialog seems to be mainly improvised. Low budget is one thing, but lazy writing is another. The acting isn't great but it gets the message across.

honest

[Kirpianuscus · 12 February 2022]

It is a honest film. First, for the wise manner to propose a story about relation between father and his son. Second - for cinematography. Not less, for the fine use of silence. For acting, to. Not last, for a beautiful way to propose a delicate subject, a religious perspective, an option and the reflections of past. And for farm life as large puzzle of details.

Good, not great

[davidrsutton · 6/10 · 24 November 2021]

Not bad. Good music and cinematography was top shelf. Acting above acceptable. Overall, it was a good movie. There are so few great ones nowadays. I gave it a rating of 6. If ratings had decimal points my rating would have been 6.7 just under the stated average of 6.8 posted as of this writing.

***My rating system is not unique. 7's are worth watching on television. 8's are worth going out of your way to see, whilst 8.4's and above are worth the time, effort and expense of seeing in a proper movie theater. 9's are reserved for movies that you are going to watch during its first week of release at a theatre or something more grand, like New York City's Radio City Music Hall five thousand seat auditorium.

**There is no such thing as a ten. Godfather is as close to perfect as I've seen, my rating is 9.8 for part I and 9.8 for part II. Entertaining movies like Jaws also rate high in my book: 9.6 - so popularity doesn't figure into my equation.

*Thanks for reading all the way through. ~David~

GOOD WRITING, GOOD CAST, GOOD CINEMATOGRAPHY, GOOD VIEWING

[raymarsh-51084 · 9/10 · 27 April 2019]

Not a big budget movie (like most gay-themed movies), but what budget there was, was well employed. The narrative unfolds with internalized shame coming to terms with inexorable homosexual desire. It deals with the topical issue of conversion therapy, and the moral responsibility of a gay male to his own truth, and to a female who he might try to deny that truth with. It deals with the critical questions of duty to oneself, duty to family, and duty to tradition. Recommended

Quiet but engaging film!

[derrickluciano · 10/10 · 10 August 2016]

I have seen a lot of films on sexual repression and confusion but this one is a bit different since it involves a lead character who had ex-gay conversion therapy.

Coming from the treatment center, James has returned home to his dad in his traditional family apple farm business named "Fair Haven". The story unfolds from here, showing how he dreams to study in Berkeley to be a concert pianist. This is against the wishes of his dad who wants him to help him continue managing the farm. The business has problems of its own, and is slowly losing out to organic apple farms.

We see some sessions of the conversion therapy that James experienced during flashbacks (I myself is curious about the whole thing). The therapy only made him more confused and miserable as we see during his pensive moments. In one of his delivery jobs, he sees his old boyfriend Charlie who is still in love with him, rekindling his true love and desires. We can predict what happens next but the film still managed to engage us due to its beautiful theme of following one's love amidst difficulties.

I love the subtle performances especially of James' dad as he tries to make sense of his relationship with his son. I love the classical piano playing, the musical scoring and the beautiful photography. And we can understand why James and Charlie should be together with their believable chemistry and natural affection for each other.

This is one of those films you wouldn't regret watching...

Good intentions

[justahunch-70549 · 4/10 · 19 October 2022]

I wish I liked this more, but it's all very predictable, pedestrian, ABC Movie of the Week kind of stuff. It does certainly mean well though. A small town boy is sent to a gay conversion camp and then comes home to his single dad, Tom Wopat looking his years, supposedly "cured". He very rapidly runs into his former boyfriend and after some resistance, he gives up the nonsense that being gay is something that can be cured and the question then becomes can his father accept him. The lead, Michael Grant, isn't bad, but he isn't a strong enough actor to truly pull us into his pain and longings. He's a better piano player. Josh Green, as the love he is trying to run from, gives a stronger performance. Gay conversion therapy is a cruel and pointless thing to put anyone through, so I applaud this attempt at showing the pain it causes, but you'd be better off seeing Boy Erased or have some fun with the topic with But I'm a Cheerleader. This is neither all that affecting or any fun.

Beautifully moving account of a father and son's relationship

[lizardbreath-82364 · 9/10 · 5 March 2017]

Fair Haven provides a moving account of a father and son coming to terms with a family loss, and the struggle of trying to reconnect after this tragedy. It offers an honest and moving account of the son's readjustment to rural life after having spent time away, and the challenge of the father in rebuilding a close and loving relationship with his son. Both the directing and writing of the film deserve specific praise. The audience is able to be taken along the emotional journey between father and son at a well thought out pace, with each chapter of their relationship unfolding without ever feeling rushed and portrayed by some strong performances from Michael Grant and Tom Wopat. The cinematography also deserves recognition, with the lush greenery of the Vermont farmland adding to the film's sense of 'real-life' authenticity. Fair Haven is a great example of all the best elements of indie film making,telling an important story of a topic that deserves more awareness and doing so with compassion without ever bordering into stereotypes.

A lovely film

[tonysloane · 10/10 · 24 July 2017]

This is one of the films that I thought would not enjoy. A Pastor that has his subjects in thrall, and a boy who initially denies his true affections to the extent of dating his neighbourhood girl friend. For me, the defining moments were when James realised that Charlie needed help to cope with his injury, and James came to his rescue with an offer to drive him home. The other very emotional moment was, for me, when James and Charlie were lakeside and Charlie layed his hand on James.That released a torrent of feelings that would be difficult to describe. A very lovely film, that I would highly recommend. As an aside, Michael Grant (James) is an accomplished concert pianist, and all the piano pieces were performed by him. Watch it - and enjoy!

Mature handling of topics

[JamisonRiverwood · 9/10 · 8 March 2022]

The storyline was predictable, i.e. A gay boy trying to fit into a girl/boy relationship because that rural culture expects hetero relationships. Nevertheless, it was good to see a positive ending. Too many times in films and real life, it comes to some type of disaster like suicide. It should assure young gay boys that there can be positive outcomes. Michael Grant, I believe, is actually a pianist. A nice touch. Brahms and Chopin.

Touching coming of age movie

[bladebiker · 8/10 · 6 October 2021]

Sensitive coming of age story around a father and son coming to terms with the loss of a wife/mother while the son struggles to live true to himself in a bible-belt small town. The cast are all brilliant, it may be low-budget, but that doesn't matter, true artists bring their characters to life and this crew don't dissappoint. 5stars.

Sweet Little Film

[stevenemberson · 8/10 · 5 December 2021]

Really enjoyed this film, it was simple and uncomplicated, and showcased some of the real issues that face people in rural communities. Well done Tom Malloy. A special mention to Josh Green, whose expressions conveyed so much without dialog.

It's All-Heart

[matthewharlanjarvis · 9/10 · 20 March 2017]

The real-feeling characters hurdle over the genre norm and you want to stand up and cheer for them.

The well-acted script is all-heart, and never do you have the impression that these couldn't be real people. Kudos to Wopat and Green, and Bryant for lovely writing.