Rock Haven

All I can say is that I wish they had made this film when I was a bit younger -- it would have changed my life. They should show this film in every church in America. The film is not preachy, it's a love story with a lot of meaning. Straight people should see this, also. The actor who played Brady in the movie was great, he deserves to be in more movies. And the guy who played the non-Christian boy is not only gorgeous, but talented. The only thing I would say against this movie is that it kinda gets off to a slow start in the first few minutes, too much ocean photography at the beginning, even though I thought it was beautiful to look at. But the film quickly picks up momentum and really gets interesting. And hot!

The plot of "Rock Haven" (2007) is simple and realistic, though far from original: is being gay an impossibility if you consider yourself a Christian as well?

Brady is a shy, introspective 18 year old spending the summer before going away to college in a small coast town in Northern California. He is there with his widowed mother, who is a devout Christian in the process of establishing a religious school for the local pastor. Brady spends most of his time either reading the bible or staring off at the waves crashing on shore, until he meets a neighbor's free- spirited visiting son, 19 year old Clifford. While we later find out that Brady had some early inklings that he was somewhat attracted to other boys, he never before felt drawn to anyone as he feels to Clifford, and the other boy makes it clear that the feeling is mutual. Sensing his apprehensions and inexperience, Clifford lets their relationship develop slowly over the course of the summer, and, although he kids Brady about being a "nerd" in many of his interests, is careful not to express a conflict with his religious upbringing and convictions.

A beautifully written story by director/writer David Lewis ("Under One Roof"), capably acted by a talented Bay Area cast. While the basic plot is not original, and the story development somewhat predictable, it is told in a well-paced, sweet and romantic manner that lets the viewer feel the emotions experienced by the characters. The one negative I must point out is Lewis' seeming obsession with numerous extended scenes of waves crashing on the beach (Waves wash out like past experiences, wash back to erase what was on the sand before, metaphor for life going on, new beginnings, yadda yadda yadda ... WE GET IT! The ocean should not have more screen time than the actors!) Other than that, I enjoyed the film and recommend it, especially for those who may be going through a similar dilemma.

DVD has deleted scenes, production stills and trailer. No director commentary, which would have been nice (I'd have loved to hear what he says about the ocean scenes. :)

The story is not too usually talked about. This Christian boy learning who he was and falling in love.

It is another quiet indy film that looks with a calm beauty a subject not talked about. Yes, films with conversion therapy and hell and brimstorm are common, but this queue reflection and sweet young man who falls head over heels for a nonchtristian neighbor moves with reverence and calm.

The v two leads are adorable and play their fears and confusion with heart.

The mothers are both freaky in their strangeness one so hippy, one buttoned right wing Christian. Father's are out of the picture, so it v is young men and moms.

Note there is nudity but it is handled with care.

So, I gave this movie a 5. Mostly I have to say that the cinematography was actually pretty good. I really liked the quality of the film when it came to how it was shot. However, I would have to agree that the script had much to be desired. Mostly I think they just wanted to capture a really big problem within a very short amount of time. But, the idea for the movie was good. Unfortunately this happens a lot in real life. The problem is that while I knew the sex scene was coming--- it felt like that was all the movie was working up to, and then the writer said, okay now they had the worst sex scene in the world, and now we have to end the movie. Then what I thought would actually be the climax, had I made the movie, the whole mom issue was just pressed into maybe ten minutes. I think that if they wanted to get what they had wanted out of the movie, the fight for love, they should have made that more of a problem. Meaning, what his mom thinks about homosexuality, and how Christian he is--- it could have been done better.

However, i can't help liking the movie just because I really think my generation needs more movies that expose the fact that there are TONS of Christians who are really gay, but are so afraid to tell anyone, or to do anything, and hate themselves for it.

It was just that this movie, while a nice attempt, never really satisfies the pallet. (And this is from someone how has been in the same situation).

This film is essentially about the inner struggles of Brady, 18, Christian, and yet so alone until Clifford shows up. The film has many awkward moments, the story almost lurches in sync with the shy, clumsy, and yet touching progress of the friendship between Brady and Clifford. It is worth remarking that Rock Haven seems so bereft of glibness, blasé wit, and all the affectation that tends to pass for 'dialogue' in films today. Instead it is a heartfelt attempt to capture all the angst of first love and its complications from the viewpoint of the teens involved. There are no raised voices here, no harsh words or meanness and the prominence of the landscape, beautiful as it appears, almost makes you wonder if the film was part-financed by the local real estate association - Bodega Bay, California. It is generous to all points of view and ends appropriately with a focus on where Brady now is. When he says, 'I have already made the mistake of my life,' you really feel for him. Sean Hoagland as Brady' has that awful earnestness of youth, wide-eyed, the incessant twitching and all, and I wish him a great career. His 'mother' makes a strong and impressive contrast. Owen Alabado as 'Clifford' is a dream first love and I can imaging that anyone from 10yrs+ would be very comfortable with this simple story that is effectively told.