Tu m'as tellement manqué

Very few low budget gay-themed films have both good acting and a good script. This film has both. As others have said, it would have been nice to see how the two guys made it in the city as well as the father after selling the farm. Maybe they could do a sequel or get cast and writers together for another movie on a different subject. Anyway, fantastic job by all involved,

Not a big budget movie (like most gay-themed movies), but what budget there was, was well employed. The narrative unfolds with internalized shame coming to terms with inexorable homosexual desire. It deals with the topical issue of conversion therapy, and the moral responsibility of a gay male to his own truth, and to a female who he might try to deny that truth with. It deals with the critical questions of duty to oneself, duty to family, and duty to tradition. Recommended

Like the title says, this movie isn't perfect because there's a lot of "stuff" going on that can't all be tackled in 90 minutes. Of course, that doesn't necessarily mean that the film needed to be longer.

Viewer may be left asking for some more backstory on a couple of things, and one of the most critical plot-lines of the movie isn't really referenced or confronted very much outside of flashbacks. I understand that may have been intentional, however I don't think it was successful.

With that said, the positive outweighs the negatives big time with this film. It really is a genuine love story with great chemistry between Michael Grant, who plays James; and Josh Green, who plays Charlie. There are moments in the film that captivate you a bit, because of how genuinely you can tell that one cares for the other despite rough times.

The personal struggles of the father are also well-acted, with a number of subtleties that come through really well for a middle-aged, depressed man dealing with the crumbling of everything he knows.

This movie is one of those gay coming-of-age films that really will warm your heart because of the acting. Definitely worth your time.

A simple and straightforward low-budget film like this one, made on location within a short time span, can excel on its own when a good script is backed up by accomplished actors whose talent shines through each and every scene. That talent is accentuated when main characters like the psychologist, the father, and the two leads in this film are effectively cast against type, managing to heighten dramatic impact over and above a modest narrative. Although there are moments that drag on a bit long, and flashbacks can be confusing, I find no fault with the overall production. Look for Harrison to be a smug reactionary, Wopat a downbeat parent, Green to be serious and deep, and Grant to show unexpected real musical ability. A big win all around.

Fair Haven provides a moving account of a father and son coming to terms with a family loss, and the struggle of trying to reconnect after this tragedy. It offers an honest and moving account of the son's readjustment to rural life after having spent time away, and the challenge of the father in rebuilding a close and loving relationship with his son. Both the directing and writing of the film deserve specific praise. The audience is able to be taken along the emotional journey between father and son at a well thought out pace, with each chapter of their relationship unfolding without ever feeling rushed and portrayed by some strong performances from Michael Grant and Tom Wopat. The cinematography also deserves recognition, with the lush greenery of the Vermont farmland adding to the film's sense of 'real-life' authenticity. Fair Haven is a great example of all the best elements of indie film making,telling an important story of a topic that deserves more awareness and doing so with compassion without ever bordering into stereotypes.