Review of Haven (2004) by Walter M — 20 Sep 2007

[font=Century Gothic]"Haven" starts with Carl(Bill Paxton) barely having enough time to pack up a suitcase and collect his 18-year old daughter, Pippa(Agnes Bruckner), after the authorities show up at his house to serve a subpoena. They make a quick break for the tax haven of Grand Cayman Island to collect the rest of his money but the banks are closed, forcing him to wait out the weekend. Pippa makes the acquaintance of a local hustler, Fritz(Victor Rasuk), who she accompanies to Rich's(Razaaq Adoti) birthday party even though the guest of honor wishes him harm...[/font].

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[font=Century Gothic]"Haven" is a fairly compelling take on loss of innocence with a complicated structure that has been utilized better elsewhere. Three of the characters, Pippa, Andrea and Patrick, have their worlds shattered by their fathers' actions(one is affected much more than the other two). Two turn 18 in the course of the movie which is an age when they are still their fathers' children but starting to become more independent. All of which is symbolic of Grand Cayman Island's loss of innocence to the root of all evil - money; be it tourist, drug or tax shelter. And money ruins Andrea's chances of having an open relationship with Shy, a mere employee of her father's.(It's interesting that class is at the root of this while race is hardly mentioned.)[/font].

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