Entertainment
May 29, 2026
Fairyland Review: A Moving Memoir of Queer Parenting in 1970s San Francisco
The film 'Fairyland' is a moving memoir of queer parenting and new kinds of family in 1970s San Fra…
The Lead
'Fairyland' offers a glorious wallow in nostalgia for those familiar with the Bay Area in the 1970s and 80s, with grainy archive footage of San Francisco Gay Freedom parades and sushi at a book launch. But at its core, the film tells the story of a new kind of family.
Queer Parenting in 1970s San Francisco
The film centers around Steve (Scoot McNairy), a gay father raising his young daughter Alysia (Nessa Dougherty, then Coda's Emilia Jones as a teen) in San Francisco. After his wife, Alysia's mother, is killed in a car accident, Steve is faced with the challenge of parenting alone. He turns down an offer from his ultra-straight mother-in-law (Geena Davis) to raise the little girl.
Parenting Techniques and Resilience
Steve's parenting techniques are sometimes selfish and neglectful, but he loves Alysia deeply. He encourages her independence, teaching her to navigate the city and take care of herself. The film draws comparisons to Marielle Heller's adaptation of The Diary of a Teenage Girl, but Alysia turns out to be more resilient and independent.
The Impact of the AIDS Epidemic
The film's second half covers the later 80s, as the AIDS epidemic takes a devastating toll on the community. The cast, including McNairy and Jones, deliver excellent performances. Writer-director Andrew Durham adapts Alysia Abbott's memoir with sensitivity and discretion.
The Future of Queer Representation
'Fairyland' is a significant contribution to queer representation in film. With its release in UK cinemas on May 29, it promises to resonate with audiences and spark important conversations about family, love, and identity.
#Fairyland
#Queer Parenting
#San Francisco
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