Sarita Rafferty
There are moments that feel comical, some horrific, and some downright inspiring but the tonal shifts hardly matter as the end results come to a film that's perfect for this time.
scifiactionfan
I was going to say this is soft porn because of the nudity but the story makes it just part of the story. Some of the lines were very interesting: When Clifford's Mom says "keep searching for those truths, those truths that give you peace". When Clifford says "I thought your faith was stronger than that" when he meets Brady before he leaves. I found it really positive when Brady says he can't change and his Mom says she can't either and then Brady forgives her.The acting is not very good but I think it was a very important film to make.I couldn't help thinking of Tyler Clementi.
Zeker24
You can read the first review on here for a mostly accurate account of the film. It's not great but not awful either. For anyone who is or has experienced the battle between homosexuality vs. religious beliefs, parts of it will personally hit you.I take issue with the first reviewer referring to the mother and/or church as homophobic. I don't think that's accurate. When the son tells her he can't change and she says that she can't either, all that she's saying is that she can't change her beliefs. She doesn't hate gay people just because it's wrong or gross or against nature. She has strong beliefs about what the Bible supposedly says about it. And to say that is easily changed is not fair or true. To me homophobia screams of people who are intolerant and often times, violent because of it. It's quite possible to be tolerant of homosexuals without changing your religious beliefs regarding their behavior.
johannes2000-1
It keeps amazing me, that one and the same movie can generate such totally opposite reactions on this site. I saw "Rock Haven" last night, and was totally charmed by it. To me it seemed sincere, respectful, realistic, sensitive, engaging and very touching.To begin with: I didn't mind all the waves at all, it sort of created this dream-like atmosphere that contributed to the feeling of an endless summer, of being a little bit outside of the real world - exactly as one should feel on summer-vacation. The many silences in the interaction between the few characters may have felt awkward, but that was precisely the point, evoking in the viewers the same feelings as in the protagonists of the movie. And the silences between Brady and Clifford also enhanced the wonderful feeling of sexual tension that kept building up. Both young actors did a great job: maybe not Oscar-winning performances (as the script didn't aim on providing them with Oscar-winning material), but they were (to me) exactly right for their parts: the one naive, innocent, cute and terribly afraid of his own feelings; the other sensual, a little more streetwise, and yet as much afraid of this fragile new love as his friend. There was noticeable chemistry between the two of them and all this mutual shyness and carefulness and awkwardness felt very realistic: that's how it goes (or should go) with first loves and first sexual experiences.Sure, I felt disappointed, even a bit cheated, that Brady didn't ran off to the airport to stop Clifford from leaving, after he came to terms with himself and with his mother, I would so much have enjoyed a happy ending. But this is obviously how the writer wanted it, and it makes sense too: how many first loves - especially summer-loves!- that at the time seemed like The Bigggests Thing ever, just evaporate after summer is over. Maybe Brady was too young and too much a freshman in his new state of being out and in love, to expect him to take such a bold and theatrical step as rushing to the airport en reclaiming his love.Then there were reviewers who commented on the way the mother sort of exchanged her acceptance (or toleration) of her son's being gay for her right to have her own (negative) opinions on homosexuality. Maybe that seemed like some artificial paradox, but to me it actually did make sense. Personally I came out as being gay in the same kind of suffocating (roman-catholic) environment, and my mother cried hell (and worse!). I tried to make her at least respect me in having my own feelings. She could not. I only share this with you to point out that I would have died for a mother who took this up as Brady's mother did, even if it's "just" a compromise or some sort of truce. You simply cannot expect everyone to change. And we gays should stop monopolizing the rest of the world in pointing out what's politically correct behavior. If you want respect, you have to give some too.If anything, I was a bit disappointed in the religious "solution" of the story. I could relate (how could I not, with my background!) to the doubts of Brady (like: "how can something so beautiful be a sin?"). But the end of the movie suggested some sort of religious catharsis that failed me. The role of the priest was rather dubious, what he had to offer as support and wisdom was cryptic to say the least. So I couldn't really grasp the fact that apparently Brady in the end could bring his being gay to terms with his religious beliefs, just by two quotes from the bible. As I know it, the RC church still thinks that being gay is alright but acting on it is wrong and sinful. So what "solution" did Brady end up with?? I'm sorry that I do not know the writer's real agenda on this.For the rest, I absolutely enjoyed the movie, the beautiful and effective photography, the sincere and subtle direction, the powerful script and these two young and very promising actors (and let's not forget Laura Jane Coles as the rigid mother!).A last word about the one and only nude scene. There are a zillion adult movies to choose from if you want sex and nudity, so I don't expect or need that at all in a movie like this. That's why it took me a bit by surprise. And the even bigger surprise was, that it DID fit in and it worked like wonder. Because it allowed us, the audience, to share the exact feelings of these two guys, their amazement and awe at being together totally naked for the first time. It took their breath away, as it did mine. That really proves how powerful and instinctive David Lewis's direction was.I give it a heartfelt 10 out of 10!!
lottalove19
I just finished watching this film. I really liked it, but there are a couple of problems. The writing was good, but the silences were extremely awkward. Also, what's up with the montage of wave scenes. It started feeling like a commercial for some sort of douche...summer's eve, anyone? Also, the ending was so anti-climactic. This is the spoiler part. Okay, so this guy is about to leave to Barcelona. Why would this guy that is so in love with him just wander around staring at the ocean? The whole reason I loved the film was because they really seemed to love each other, and in the end, it's about him coming to terms with it? That's the first step, the next is you get your butt to the airport so that you can get him back. That was so disappointing. Like sex with no real climactic ending. No pun intended.P.S. Great frontal nudity. Very risqué.
