Rock Haven

I thought this was a really good movie. Living in the bible belt, as I do, I know that religion plays a huge part in how the gay youth experience accepting themselves, or never accepting who they are. The movie showed very well how much of a struggle it is for someone who is constantly told that being gay is an abominal sin, which will result in them going to hell. They have to learn to break away from that and accept what their heart tells them instead of what religions tell them. That they can be close to God and still be happily gay and in a gay relationship. Great movie. I'm glad I bought it.

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.

I chose a 5 star rating because, as a whole, I really liked this movie. I had purchased and watched "Redwoods" which was also made and directed by David Lewis, and the music score by Jack Curtis Dubowsky, and upon watching a preview for "Rock Haven" I knew I would like it. This movie leaves the viewer with a feeling of sadness but also of satisfaction. Sadness because the two main characters separate, satisfaction because one of the main characters becomes a more open minded person and learns to accept himself, flaws and all. Which is something we all should do. :) I would recommend this movie to anyone who likes a good love story and to anyone struggling to find themselves. This movie touched me in a personal way, and I will watch it again. :)

I really enjoyed this movie despite its relatively low production quality and standard definition filming. The story is the star of this movie as we see the main character recognize his sexuality and love for another boy and his terrible conflict with his religion and family. It is perhaps the most powerful expression of this age-old conflict I have seen in a movie for a long time. It is definiately to be recommended to anyone who is in the process of this self-discovery, or to remind the rest of us how it was for us once too.

This is a tremendous love story filled with the conflicting emotions experienced while coming to understand and accept ones sexuality. The actors portrayals were powerfully on-target. The storyline takes off from the first minute and carries you through all 78 minutes. This is a particularly important story, because it deals with the emotions of being religious and gay. For many this can be a difficult mix of identities to mesh and so films and stories on this subject are very much in need. I loved this film and have already purchased my own copy. I highly recommend it for all audiences, but particularly for those who might be struggling with their own religious and GLBT identities.

This DVD wouldn't play in my $5,000 Esoteric DVD player. Same results as the other reviewers commented: it started breaking up after about an hour, picture froze, etc. The disc physically looked OK. I also tried it on a Pioneer Elite player and it did the same thing. So I returned it. I really like this movie, and wish TLA Releasing would repress it with non-defective copies.

Great!

I really was in two minds about buying Rock Haven due to the mixed reviews here on Amazon. But as it's selling for £4 at the moment I thought I would take a hit on it & see how it goes. Very glad I did. While I agree with others saying it has a “low budget” feel, as a fan of low budget films that is something I really liked about it. Plus it was also nice to be reminded that to some people (including Christians in this case) it is still hard to come to terms with being gay & for falling for someone of the same sex. If there was something I needed to pick out that I didn't like it had to be the start. Right at the start of the film there is 3mins of nothing but rocks & the sea. I was getting bored till something started to happen at 3mins 16 seconds. But like I say, that is just me trying to find fault. All in all it was a really enjoyable film.

The DVD was packed very well and arrived in perfect condition. I am totally please with the service and quality.

Pur trattandosi della questione nota: vincoli ed educazione familiare, la formazione religiosa al limite della ragionevolezza, quasi maniacale, impedisce ad un giovane di essere se stesso. Le sue paure sono enormi, prima di esprimono addirittura in una fuga davanti alla presentazione di un suo coataneo, più consapevole della sua situazione di gay, accettato ed amato da una madre non convenzionale, originale e intelligente. Essa guarda più alla felicità del figlio che alle stupide convenzioni. Quando si rompe il ghiaccio e tra i due nasce un amore e un'intimità,sessuale molto bella, . La madre del giovane credente che hasempre manovrato la sua vita in sostanza gli fa credere di essere nel peccato e di tornare sula "retta via". Si rompe un'incantesimo, in una fase di innamoramento tra due giovani adolescenti che tentano di capire se stessi. Film ben costruito e ben recitato in un contesto naturale bellissimo che contrasta il mondo umano che ha perso la bellezza e la felicità...

Brady a dix huit ans et une croyance impériale en la bible. Peu de temps après son arrivée dans une petite ville de la Californie, il va rencontrer Clifford d'un an son ainé, qui réside près de chez lui. Une séduction contenancée va les menées l'un à l'autre. La mère de plus jeune, soucieuse de l'éducation sentimentale de son fils lui fait faire la connaissance d'une fille de son age. Mais rien de concret ne va se passer. Ici, point de nervosité, mais Brady ne peut tricher avec ses ressentiments. Après quelques hésitations et interrogation (Surtout de la part du moins âgé), les deux voisins vont unifier physiquement leur amour. L'aîné sentant visiblement l'attirance cadenassé par la moralité chretienne de son cadet va l'amener doucement à explorer, puis dévérouiller ses envies, avant que l'acte sexuel les délivrent totalement. Mais les écris sacrés ne s'effacent pas aussi facilement de l'esprit. Sensible, calme, romantique, le film ne brusque pas les choses. Progressivement la caméra esquisse au travers des confidences intimes, des regards appuyés, des sourires complices, des promenades agréables, des actes charnels qui vont arriver à point nommés une fois que toutes les frontières préliminaires ont été arpenté. Brady très mignon, pltôt timide et tranquille va se découvrir. Sa religion va le faire un instant reculé, avant que la révélation et l'acceptation de soi viennent avant les préceptes de la foi. Il dit à la fin ou il est dans le plein cadre approprié d'un paysage sauvage qu'il ne sait jamais jamais senti aussi proche de Dieu. C'est bien évidement de lui même dont il veut parler. Les scènes sont très belles. J'insiste la dessus, mais les sourires de Brady sont vraiment sincère, touchant et réconfortant. Et la gentilesse et la candeur de ce dernier vont s'associer à merveille à l'assurance mesurée de Clifford qui va dompter en même temps qu'il est touché par sa grande sensibilité. Sans la moindre petite trace de pornographie, c'est ici l'esthétisme qui prime. Comme cet instant solannel, quand ils vont déshabiller leur âme comme ils ôtent leur vêtements. Très belle tenue pour l'occasion comme pour mettre des habits d'apparats qui se conjugent à la beauté de leur liaison. Si la mère de Clifford sait que son fils n'est pas attiré par la gente féminine, celle de Brady va le découvrir. Elle va finalment comprendre en même temps que lui même va faire passer son bien être avant l'église (Superbe scène quand ils sont dans les bras l'un de l'autre) En même temps sobre et esthétique, avec de la passion mais sans défoulement ni précipitation, le metteur en scène fait dans la plus pur finesse, sans que cela n'altère mais au contraire embélisse la base de son sujet. Avec tout un ensemble asssurement beau, ici la violence et la crudité ne peut pas prendre ses quartiers. Un très beau film à conseiller sans hésiter.