Haven (I) (2004)

During a weekend, two shady businessmen (Paxton and Dillane) flee to the Cayman Islands to avoid federal prosecution. But their escape ignites a chain reaction that leads a British native (Bloom) to commit a crime that changes the nation.

Director:

Frank E. Flowers

Writer:

Frank E. Flowers

Stars:

Orlando Bloom, Agnes Bruckner, Bill Paxton

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Razaaq Adoti	...	Richie Rich
Orlando Bloom	...	Shy
Agnes Bruckner	...	Pippa Ridley
Joy Bryant	...	Sheila
Bobby Cannavale	...	Lieutenant
Stephen Dillane	...	Mr. Allen
Lee Ingleby	...	Patrick
Anthony Mackie	...	Hammer
Bill Paxton	...	Carl Ridley
Victor Rasuk	...	Fritz
Zoe Saldana	...	Andrea
Robert Wisdom	...	Mr. Sterling
Sarah Carter	...	Chanel
Santiago Cabrera	...	Gene
Caroline Goodall	...	Ms. Claire

Storyline

In Cayman Island, the daughter of a powerful man - Andrea - and the fisherman Shy are in a deep but secret love, hidden from Andrea's parents. When Andrea's father sails in a fish-trip, they have a night of love at Andrea's home; however they sleep and are surprised by the arrival of her family in the morning. Later, Andrea's brother Hammer throws acid on the face of Shy and spends four months in prison. In Miami, the dirty businessman Carl Ridley is chased by Federal agents and escapes with his teenage daughter Pippa to Cayman Island trying to reach his lawyer Mr. Allen. Pippa meets the small time thief Fritz sleeping in her room and he invites her to go a party. Before leaving the condo, Fritz sees Carl counting lots of money. Fritz owes money to the dangerous drug dealer Richie Rich and tells him about the fortune Carl has. Along a Friday 13th night, their lives entwine in a chain of tragic events.

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Plot Keywords:

cayman islands | island | money | british native | drug dealer | 

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Taglines:

Can love survive the fall of paradise?

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Genres:

Crime | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language, drug use, sexual content and some violence

Details

Official Sites:

Yari Film Group [us]

Country:

UK Germany USA Spain

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 October 2006 (Japan)

Also Known As:

Haven - L'enfer au paradis

Filming Locations:

Cayman Islands

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$38,355 (USA) (15 September 2006)

Gross:

$136,823 (USA) (29 September 2006)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Yari Film Group Releasing, El Camino Pictures, Robbie Brenner Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

115 min 99 min (DVD)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

Shy: I don't start fights. I mean, look at this face. Come on.

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Connections

References Ri¢hie Ri¢h (1982)

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Soundtracks

"@ Da Party"
Written by Luis Vega and Paul Vega
Performed by La China Maliciosa
Courtesy of Los Brothers Music Group and Napoles for Fragment Muzik

User Reviews

Choppy seas don't always mean a rough ride

I am glad to hear that this film will finally be released, albeit on DVD. I saw 'Haven' at the Toronto film festival and have been awaiting it's release ever since. I did think that the film was a bit choppy, which was mildly distracting, but that the overall ride was great. In following up his critically acclaimed short 'Swallow' with 'Haven', his feature film debut, Frankie Flowers proves that he is more than capable of writing and directing a full length film.

While it is a difficult task to jump back and forth in a timeline, from sub plot to sub plot, while keeping an audience interested; entertained; and able to follow, I believe that Flowers has done a splendid job despite sacrificing some of the continuity for stylistic shot making. Tarantino has tried, despite box office success, somewhat in vain in this regard for years. Movies such as Magnolia have come along and disappointed and perhaps the only film in recent years to truly excel in this style was Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu's '21 grams'.

With strong performances from an ensemble cast of well known Hollywood stars and unknown local talent, 'Haven' is well acted from start to finish. Orlando Bloom leads the way with an excellent performance as the going nowhere fast 'shy', and proves that he can portray a modern day man between timepiece and fantasy blockbusters. Dare I say he would be better off, from an acting portfolio sense, taking on more of these roles.

I highly recommend 'Haven', especially in this age of over the top; special effects no plot movies. I hope that Flowers continues to be given opportunities to hone his craft and I look forward to his next piece.