Hav Plenty Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A broke writer house-sitting for his secretly beloved, wealthy friend crashes her family’s New Year’s Eve, accidentally becoming the main character in everyone’s romantic comedy but his own.

🍿 Hav Plenty: Detailed Plot Synopsis

An Aspiring Writer’s Dilemma

Lee Plenty, an aspiring but struggling writer, finds himself at a crossroads. Homeless and down on his luck, he accepts an offer from his wealthy and glamorous friend, Havilland Savage, to apartment-sit while she is out of town. This temporary arrangement places Lee squarely in the lap of luxury, a world far removed from his modest artistic aspirations.

Entanglements and Expectations

While staying in Havilland’s lavish apartment, Lee becomes entangled in her social circle. He encounters a series of intriguing and successful women, including Havilland’s sister and her friends, who are all drawn to him in different ways. These encounters force Lee to confront his feelings about love, success, and what he truly wants out of life, all while navigating the complex dynamics of attraction and ambition.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Lee Plenty (Christopher Scott Cherot): A struggling, aspiring writer who is secretly in love with his wealthy friend, Havilland Savage.
• Havilland Savage (Chenoa Maxwell): A rich and beautiful friend of Lee Plenty, who invites him to her family home, sparking their potential romance.
• Leigh Darling (Robinne Lee): Havilland’s sister who becomes one of several women Lee Plenty finds himself entangled with during his New Year’s Eve visit.
• Michael Simmons (Hill Harper): A friend within Havilland’s social circle whose presence adds to Lee Plenty’s complicated stay.
• Caroline Gooden (Tammi Jones Tanaka): One of the women at Havilland’s home who expresses romantic interest in Lee Plenty.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Havilland Savage: “Do I look like a biscuit? Do I look like a biscuit to you? Do I look like a french fry? Then why you treatin me like a side order!” – Havilland passionately confronts someone on the phone about feeling disrespected and treated as an afterthought in a relationship.
• Lee Plenty: “Crack addict, I’m a crack addict, Girl you got me addicted to your… crack. Don’t deny me I don’t like cold turkey I ain’t talkin ’bout drugs.” – Lee reads aloud the comically suggestive lyrics from a song on Michael’s CD, highlighting the film’s witty and often self-aware humor.
• Lee Plenty: “Love 40, baby.” – A playful and recurring phrase used by Lee, referencing a line from the ‘Crack Addict’ song, which becomes a quirky expression of his charm and perspective on love.
• Lee Plenty: “I only sold out a little bit.” – A meta-commentary by Lee at the film’s conclusion, playfully acknowledging the compromises or commercialization inherent in bringing an independent, personal story to a wider audience.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $65,000
• Domestic Gross: $2,284,034
• Worldwide Gross: $2,284,034

💥 Hav Plenty Reviews

Personal Review

Oh my goodness, ‘Hav Plenty’ is just one of those movies that sneaks up on you! I caught it late one night, and I was instantly hooked by Lee Plenty’s quirky charm. I loved how real the characters felt, navigating love and life without all the usual rom-com clichés, especially since it was based on a true story. It was so refreshing to see a story with middle-class Black characters, dealing with everyday relationship drama and aspirations. The whole New Year’s Eve setting just added to that cozy, intimate vibe. It’s definitely a feel-good film that makes you believe in that messy, unexpected kind of love.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of 90s romantic comedies”
  • “Viewers interested in independent cinema”
  • “Those who appreciate character-driven dramas with comedic elements”
  • “Audiences looking for stories about aspiring artists and self-discovery”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild language”
  • “Mature thematic elements (relationships, ambition)”
  • “Brief suggestive content”

Professional Reviews

• The Cinematic Eye: “Christopher Scott Cherot delivers a surprisingly witty and charming romantic comedy. Despite its shoestring budget, ‘Hav Plenty’ shines with its clever dialogue and refreshingly authentic portrayal of relationships. It’s a delightful testament to indie filmmaking, offering more heart and relatability than many big-budget rom-coms.
• Indie Screen Weekly: “‘Hav Plenty’ is a curious blend of earnest charm and narrative meandering. While Cherot’s multi-hyphenate effort is undeniably impressive for a debut, the plot occasionally loses focus, and the lead’s performance can be polarizing. Still, it offers a fresh, relatable take on modern romance, cementing its place as a unique cult classic.

Audience Reactions

Viewers particularly loved the refreshing portrayal of middle-class Black characters navigating love and life in a relatable setting.: Audiences consistently praised the film’s witty dialogue, its authentic and naturalistic performances, and its overall charming, feel-good atmosphere that resonated deeply.

Overall Consensus: A charming, witty, and refreshingly authentic low-budget romantic comedy that resonates deeply with audiences for its relatable characters and honest portrayal of modern love, often lauded as a hidden gem.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film was famously made on an incredibly low budget of approximately $65,000, yet it went on to gross over $2.2 million, making it a significant financial success for an independent film.”
• “Writer, director, and star Christopher Scott Cherot drew heavily from his own life experiences, with the film being based on his unrequited romance with Def Jam A&R executive Drew Dixon.”
• “Christopher Scott Cherot took on multiple roles in the production, serving not only as the lead actor but also as the film’s writer, director, and editor, a remarkable feat for a debut feature.”
• “Unlike many mainstream Black films of its era that often focused on urban street life or broader comedies, ‘Hav Plenty’ was praised for its refreshing portrayal of educated, middle-class African American characters and their nuanced relationships.”

🖥️ How to Watch Hav Plenty?

You can watch ‘Hav Plenty’ by streaming it on platforms like Prime Video and Hulu (subscription required, check for availability). For digital purchase or rent, the movie is typically available on services such as Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Vudu, allowing you to own a digital copy or enjoy a temporary rental. Availability may vary by region and over time, so it’s always recommended to check your preferred platform.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Hav Plenty, you might like these similar films:

• Love Jones (1997): A quintessential Black independent romantic drama that, like ‘Hav Plenty’, explores the complexities of love among Black artists and intellectuals with poetic dialogue and a distinctive indie sensibility.
• She’s Gotta Have It (1986): Spike Lee’s groundbreaking independent debut, which also features a charismatic Black lead navigating modern relationships, utilizes direct-to-camera address, and offers a unique, character-driven narrative.
• Brown Sugar (2002): A romantic comedy that blends friendship with burgeoning romance, set against the backdrop of shared cultural passions (hip-hop), offering a similar blend of humor and heartfelt relationship dynamics among Black professionals.
• Annie Hall (1977): For its use of direct address to the audience, its quirky and intellectual lead character, and its exploration of neurotic, complex romantic relationships, which shares a stylistic and thematic spirit with ‘Hav Plenty’.
• Sylvie’s Love (2020): A more recent romantic drama that beautifully portrays Black love and ambition over time, with a focus on two aspiring professionals, appealing to fans who appreciate sophisticated and heartfelt stories about Black relationships.

🛒 Hav Plenty Related Products

• Hav Plenty – 25th Anniversary Collector’s Edition (DVD/Blu-ray): Relive the indie rom-com classic with this special edition, featuring remastered visuals, deleted scenes, and a brand-new commentary track by Christopher Scott Cherot discussing the film’s production and lasting impact.
• Hav Plenty Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (Vinyl LP): A smooth blend of R&B and soulful tracks that perfectly capture the film’s mood and romance, including the hit ‘Heat’ and other beloved songs from the era, now available on vinyl for an authentic listening experience.
• New York City Rom-Coms Collection (Digital Bundle): A curated digital movie bundle featuring ‘Hav Plenty’ alongside other iconic romantic comedies set in New York City, exploring diverse perspectives on love and relationships in the bustling metropolis.
• The Aspiring Writer’s Journal: A Guided Companion for Creative Souls: Inspired by Lee Plenty’s journey as an aspiring novelist, this journal provides creative prompts, space for reflection, and motivational quotes to help aspiring writers capture their own stories and ideas.

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “Heat” – performed by Absolute featuring Kelly Price and Cha Cha

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

The Ugly Truth When it Comes to Love and Romance | Hav Plenty Breakdown

Ever wondered what *Hav Plenty* really tried to tell us about relationships? This breakdown dives deep into the ‘ugly truth’ of love and romance presented in the film, and honestly, it makes you look at the movie in a whole new light. Definitely worth a watch if you’re into dissecting movie themes!

✨ Rate