Fair Haven (2016)

A young man returns to his family farm, after a long stay in ex-gay conversion therapy, and is torn between the expectations of his emotionally distant father, and the memories of a past, loving relationship he has tried to bury.

Director:

Kerstin Karlhuber

Writers:

Jack Bryant (story), Jack Bryant

Stars:

Tom Wopat, Michael Grant, Gregory Harrison

Cast

Credited cast:
Tom Wopat	...	Richard Grant
Michael Grant	...	James Grant
Gregory Harrison	...	Doctor Gallagher
Jennifer Taylor	...	Ruby
Josh Green	...	Charlie Green
Lily Anne Harrison	...	Suzy Thomas
Tom Malloy	...	Reverend Thomas
Lisa Varga	...	Patricia Thomas
Denise Dorado	...	Helena
Michael Cuddire	...	Sebastian St. John
Joanna Herrington	...	Melissa St. John
Dale Wade Davis	...	Redneck
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Susan Aser	...	Mrs. Grant
Madeine Berl	...	Teen girl
Peter Doyle	...	Father at Train Station

Storyline

A young man returns to his family farm, after a long stay in ex-gay conversion therapy, and is torn between the expectations of his emotionally distant father, and the memories of a past, loving relationship he has tried to bury.

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Plot Keywords:

gay | rural setting | father son relationship | gay kiss | religious person | 

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Taglines:

Everyone deserves a chance at finding happiness.

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

March 2017 (USA)

Also Known As:

Fer Hejven

Filming Locations:

Rochester, New York, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Trick Candle Productions,Silent Giant Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Soundtracks

Why Can't We Say Goodbye
Written & Performed by Christo Graham

User Reviews

Got a case of the "gay"? We can fix that.

There will be a reckoning one day for those who try to "fix" gay kids. Though this particular film doesn't delve too deeply into scars left by those efforts it does provide a window into the families who wake up one day to find that their child is gay and then ship them away to a stranger to "fix" them in the name of Jesus. I have two words to say about that practice - Jesus wept...

OK, now to the film. It's good. It's worth your time. The actors are excellent. The script they're working with doesn't help them much though. Michael Grant, playing the main character, James, renders a thoughtful and moving depiction of a young man torn by what he believes is true for him, but against what the world at large would prefer for him. Lily Anne Harrison, who plays his girlfriend for a brief minute, makes an endearing impression with very little screen time. And Josh Green, playing Jame's former boyfriend, is equally engaging. Tom Wopat, playing a grieved and confused father, is heartbreaking and sympathetic even when you'd like to throttle him. Director Kirsten Karlhuber uses long pauses implying deep reflection. I liked it. Sometimes saying nothing invites the audience to sort out the narrative for themselves. It works well here. The flat cinematography is most likely due to the very tight budget of this film. It's as if the cameras were bolted to the ground and the actors just told to run around in front of them and deliver lines. It's unfortunate because there was a lot to work with here; Vermont landscapes, cool farm house, and some very touching performances.

This is a good film about a terrible thing that some churches do. They take vulnerable children and then emotionally and spiritually abuse them by making them believe that they are mistakes. It is hideous. Note that no film has ever been made about the gay person who found Jesus and lived happily ever after as a heterosexual. No one has ever stepped forward and said, "please make a movie about my life as someone who was gay and is now straight, married, and very happy." Why? Because that has never happened because THAT person doesn't exist. The Ex Gay movement is littered with the tortured souls that tried to be THAT person only to realize that they were wrong. I can't wait for the day when the "Ex Gay" movement finds its rightful place in history with the crusades and witch burning.