My Take:
This film is a beautiful, though at times heartbreaking, love letter to 1970s and 80s San Francisco, based on the real-life memoirs of Alya Abbott. We follow the relationship between Alya and her father Steve (a brilliant Scoot McNairy) over several years—from the carefree bohemian era and the fight for gay rights to the tragic onset of the AIDS crisis. It is cinema that doesn’t judge; instead, it looks with great empathy at the struggles of parenting and the search for identity.
What's Captivating: Emilia Jones and Scoot McNairy create one of the most authentic father-daughter duos seen in recent years. The film has an incredible texture—the grainy imagery and warm colors make it feel like watching old family tapes. It’s a tribute to a community that, despite persecution, managed to create its own magical realm (the titular Fairyland).
A Word of Caution: Bring tissues. The second half of the film is very emotional and hits notes that might be difficult for many. The pacing is reflective, focusing on small everyday moments, which might not appeal to fans of fast-paced biopics.
Verdict: 8.5/10 🏳️🌈
Deeply moving portrait of love that survives any storm. A must-watch for fans of true-story cinema.
🔍 Did you know...?
The film is an adaptation of Alya Abbott’s bestselling book Fairyland: A Memoir of My Father. It was produced by Sofia Coppola, which explains the specific, dreamy aesthetic and visual sensitivity. To prepare for the role of Steve, Scoot McNairy spent a significant amount of time talking with Alya to best capture her father’s personality—not as an icon, but as a real human being with flaws and an infinite love for his daughter.
