Fair Haven Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Kid comes home from ‘pray the gay away’ camp, tries dating a girl, but his hot ex-boyfriend is still in town, making apple farming way more complicated.

🍿 Fair Haven: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Returning Home to Fair Haven Orchard

James returns to his family’s apple farm, Fair Haven, in rural Vermont after spending several months at an ex-gay conversion therapy center. His homecoming is complicated by the strained relationship with his emotionally distant father, Richard, who is struggling with the family business and the loss of his wife. Richard expects James to help run the farm and potentially take it over, putting pressure on James whose true passion lies in music and aspirations for college.

Reunion and Internal Conflict

While making a delivery for the farm, James unexpectedly encounters his former boyfriend, Charlie, who still lives in the area. Seeing Charlie rekindles the feelings James has tried to suppress during his time in therapy. Torn between the ‘cure’ he underwent and his genuine emotions, James initially tries to push Charlie away and conform to the expectations of his conservative community and father, even attempting a relationship with the local minister’s daughter.

Struggling with Expectations and Identity

Flashbacks reveal glimpses of the conversion therapy sessions James endured, highlighting the methods and beliefs promoted by Dr. Gallagher. These experiences contribute to James’ internal turmoil and confusion about his identity and desires. The film explores James’ efforts to navigate the conflicting pressures from his father, his religious upbringing, his past relationship with Charlie, and the lingering influence of the conversion therapy.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• James (Michael Grant): A young man returning home from ex-gay conversion therapy, struggling between his father’s expectations and his true identity.
• Richard (Tom Wopat): James’s emotionally distant father who wants his son to take over the family farm and struggles to accept his sexuality.
• Charlie (Josh Green): James’s former boyfriend who still has feelings for him and represents the loving relationship James tries to bury.
• Dr. Gallagher (Gregory Harrison): The man who runs the ex-gay conversion therapy program James attended, promoting religious dogma against homosexuality.
• Suzie (Lily Anne Harrison): The pastor’s daughter whom James dates as he attempts to live a heterosexual life after therapy.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Dr. Gallagher: “Romance is only for heterosexuals.” – Stated during a conversion therapy session, reflecting the program’s rigid, religiously-based view of relationships.
• James: “I don’t know what I believe anymore.” – Expressing his deep confusion and internal conflict after undergoing conversion therapy and grappling with his true feelings.
• Charlie: “I waited for you, James.” – Spoken upon reuniting with James, indicating his enduring feelings and hope for their relationship despite James’s time away.
• James: “This is who I am.” – A moment of self-acceptance and determination after a traumatic event highlights the futility of denying his true identity.
• Richard: “The farm’s not family, we are.” – His moment of profound realization, prioritizing his son’s well-being and their relationship over the tradition of the family business.

💰Box Office

• Budget: N/A
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 Fair Haven Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I watched Fair Haven and wow, it really got to me. I was a bit hesitant because the subject matter is heavy, but I’m so glad I stuck with it. Michael Grant as James is just incredible. You can see the struggle written all over his face, from the forced smiles after therapy to the genuine moments with Charlie. And Josh Green as Charlie? So sweet and understanding, you totally root for them. The father-son stuff with Tom Wopat was also really powerful. Their dynamic felt so real, that distance mixed with underlying love. The ending, in particular, hit me right in the feels – simple but so meaningful. It’s not flashy, but the heart of the story and the performances make it genuinely moving.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of character-driven dramas”
  • “Viewers interested in LGBTQ+ stories”
  • “Those interested in themes of family, identity, and overcoming societal pressure”
  • “Fans of independent films”
  • “Audiences who appreciate sensitive portrayals of challenging subjects”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Deals with ex-gay conversion therapy (depicted in flashbacks)”
  • “Emotional conflict and strained family relationships”
  • “Brief depiction of homophobic violence (mentioned in reviews, not a central plot point)”
  • “Mild thematic elements related to religion and sexuality”

Professional Reviews

• Film Analysis Blog: “Fair Haven navigates sensitive subject matter with surprising grace, elevated by compelling performances from Michael Grant and Tom Wopat. While some plot points feel slightly rushed, the film’s emotional core resonates deeply. It’s a quiet but powerful exploration of identity, family, and the long shadow of conversion therapy, offering a much-needed hopeful perspective.
• LGBTQ+ Film Quarterly: “This low-budget drama shines brightest in its intimate moments, particularly the believable chemistry between leads Michael Grant and Josh Green. The film portrays the realities of small-town life for LGBTQ+ youth authentically, contrasting starkly with the disturbing conversion therapy flashbacks. It’s a well-acted, poignant story about finding your truth despite external pressures.
• Local Paper Review: “Fair Haven is a heartfelt, if occasionally predictable, look at returning home transformed. The acting, especially from Grant as the conflicted protagonist and Wopat as the stoic father, anchors the narrative. Despite its limitations, the film offers a moving portrayal of healing and acceptance, making it a worthwhile watch for its emotional honesty.

Audience Reactions

The chemistry between James and Charlie felt incredibly real and heartwarming.: Many viewers praised the sensitive handling of difficult themes, particularly the emotional impact of the conversion therapy scenes and the realistic father-son relationship.

Michael Grant’s performance, especially his piano playing, was deeply moving.: Audiences appreciated the hopeful and positive ending, which is often rare in films tackling this subject matter.

Overall Consensus: A well-acted, emotionally resonant independent drama that offers a sensitive look at conversion therapy, family dynamics, and finding authenticity, leaving viewers with a sense of hope.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Michael Grant, who plays James, is an accomplished concert pianist in real life and performed all of the piano pieces featured in the film.”
• “Director Kerstin Karlhuber and writer Anthony Gulotta previously collaborated on the film ‘Body of Sin’.”

🖥️ How to Watch Fair Haven?

As an independent drama released in 2017, “Fair Haven” is likely available for digital rental or purchase on major platforms such as Prime Video, Apple TV, Vudu, and Google Play. While it may occasionally appear on streaming services (user reviews mention past availability on Showtime), direct current subscription streaming availability should be verified on specific platforms. Check these digital storefronts for the most current options to watch the film at home.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Fair Haven, you might like these similar films:

• Boy Erased (2018): Directly tackles the traumatic experience of gay conversion therapy and a young man’s journey towards self-acceptance and family reconciliation.
• God’s Own Country (2017): Features a young man in a difficult rural setting, dealing with a distant parent, and finding transformative love, though with a different family dynamic.
• Latter Days (2003): An earlier independent film exploring the conflict between religious upbringing, family expectations, and discovering one’s gay identity.
• Call Me By Your Name (2017): A beautiful and sensitive portrayal of a young man’s coming-of-age and first love, capturing the emotional intensity of self-discovery.
• Ordinary People (1980): Focuses on the complex dynamics within a seemingly normal family dealing with grief, emotional repression, and a son’s struggle with mental health and identity.

🛒 Fair Haven Related Products

• Fair Haven DVD/Blu-ray: Own the moving independent drama Fair Haven on DVD or Blu-ray, featuring the full film and potential bonus content.
• Michael Grant – Classical Piano Album (e.g., ‘The Road Back’): Experience the piano talent of star Michael Grant with one of his classical music albums, featuring pieces similar to those performed in the film.
• Leaving My Father’s Faith: Leaving the LDS Church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or Mormonism and Finding Myself (A Memoir): Explore personal stories of navigating faith, family expectations, and identity, resonating with themes from Fair Haven.
• Fair Haven Movie Poster: A high-quality print of the official movie poster, capturing the essence of Fair Haven’s rural setting and central characters.

🎧 Soundtrack

Fair Haven features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Why Can’t We Say Goodbye” – performed by Christo Graham
• “Various Classical Piano Pieces” – performed by Performed by Michael Grant (including works by Brahms and Chopin)

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Charlie & James | Gay Romance | Fair Haven

Curious about the heartwarming romance at the center of Fair Haven? This fan edit beautifully captures the key moments between Charlie and James, and honestly, it perfectly highlights why their connection is so central to the story.

✨ Rate