Fairfield Road
6.0/10 · 980 ratings20101h 29mWeirdness 3/10
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The premise
Noah McManus is leaving his job with the Boston mayor's office for a dream gig in Washington, D.C. But in a single day, he finds out his new boss in Washington can no longer employ him and that his girlfriend has been cheating on him. Devastated, Noah travels to a quaint Cape Cod town and unexpectedly finds himself at home.
How unusual is it?
Mostly classic comfort-watch, give or take an enemies-to-lovers arc.
A rare specific
Tap to find the other Hallmark movies that share it.
Who’s in it
Behind the camera
ShowHide
Directed by
Written by
Wait, what?
The quirks and curveballs that make this one a little weirder than your average Hallmark. No spoilers, promise.
- The dog, Arlo, burying a multi-thousand dollar diamond ring in the sand as a major plot point.
- A group of elderly locals using metal detectors to find the buried ring on the beach.
- The protagonist using a specific, obscure legal code (Chapter 53, section 83) to disqualify a political opponent in a dramatic town hall reveal.
- The protagonist using an engagement ring as a financial deposit for a hotel room.
Every trope, all in one place
Here’s everything this one has going on, from the setting to the way it wraps up. Tap any of the 30 to find more movies that do the same thing.
Setting2
Time & season2
Characters6
Conflict7
Romance7
Tone & quirks2
How it all plays out
Already seen it, or just can’t wait? Open this up for the whole story, ending included.
Full story (spoilers)
Noah McManus is an ambitious Chief of Staff for the Mayor of Boston who successfully interviews for a prestigious position with Senator Hayden in D.C. His personal life is less stable; his girlfriend Wendy demands a marriage proposal as a prerequisite for moving with him. After witnessing Mayor Grantt's growing apathy toward her constituents, Noah impulsively resigns. His world collapses further when he discovers Wendy's superficiality and breaks up with her, followed by the news that Senator Hayden has been indicted in a corruption scandal, leaving Noah unemployed. He travels to Harpswell, Cape Cod, to retrieve an expensive engagement ring he had shipped to the Landing Inn. Upon arrival, he finds the town bridge is stuck, forcing him to stay. He meets Sam and Lillian, the innkeepers, and Hailey, a local bookstore owner who is unimpressed by his big-city credentials. Noah's dog, Arlo, accidentally buries the engagement ring on the beach, adding to his frustrations. As he spends time in Harpswell, Noah learns about a local election for Town Manager. The incumbent, Sam, is being challenged by Randall Richardson, a developer who wants to build a massive shopping mall that would destroy the town's character. Noah initially tries to stay neutral but is drawn in by Hailey's passion for the town. When Mayor Grantt begs Noah to return to Boston to save her failing re-election campaign, he goes back and successfully rehabilitates her image. However, during a victory celebration, he realizes his values have shifted. He rushes back to Harpswell during the final town meeting. Using his political expertise, he cites a legal loophole regarding the Preservation Council that disqualifies Randall from running. When Sam realizes he is too old for the rigors of the job, he encourages Noah to run. Noah delivers a moving speech about the town's history and integrity, winning over the residents. He decides to stay in Harpswell permanently, using the engagement ring as a deposit for a room at the inn, and begins a relationship with Hailey.
Beat by beat
Opening
Noah gets a dream job in D.C. but loses it instantly when the Senator is caught in a scandal, while simultaneously breaking up with his girlfriend Wendy.
Inciting Incident
Noah travels to Harpswell to retrieve an engagement ring and gets stranded when the town's drawbridge malfunctions.
Midpoint
Noah's dog Arlo buries the engagement ring in the sand, and Noah begins to bond with Hailey while learning about the threat of Randall's development project.
Rising Action
Noah returns to Boston to help Mayor Grantt win her election, proving his political prowess but realizing he no longer fits in the big city.
Climax
Noah returns to Harpswell's town meeting, disqualifies the antagonist Randall using a legal loophole, and is nominated for Town Manager.
Resolution
Noah wins the town's support, decides to stay indefinitely, and finally catches a 'big fish' with Hailey, symbolizing his new life.
30 tropes in one movie
We counted 30 distinct Hallmark tropes packed into this one — a genuine greatest-hits reel.
How it stacks up
Where this one’s rating lands against every other rated Hallmark movie.
Higher-rated than 20% of every rated Hallmark movie. The median is 6.4.
Where this one fits
The corners of the catalog Fairfield Road belongs to — handy if you’re after more of the same.
Lines worth quoting
The lines that stuck with us — the ones you’ll be repeating after the credits roll.
“It's not until we are lost do we begin to understand ourselves.”
— Hailey (quoting Thoreau)Hailey gives Noah a book to help him process his career crisis. “You're running for town manager, not developer.”
— Noah McManusNoah confronting Randall during the town hall meeting. “Live-in girlfriend is not a prestigious title. And by the way, I already own it. Moving requires more.”
— WendyWendy giving Noah an ultimatum about their relationship.
Meet the characters
Who’s who before you press play. Nothing here gives the ending away.
Noah McManus
LeadPolitical Aide / Town Manager Candidate
IdealisticArticulateStrategicDisillusionedHailey
Love interestBookstore Owner
Local guide and eventual romantic partner
IndependentSkepticalCommunity-orientedOutdoorsyRandall Richardson
AntagonistReal Estate Developer
Political rival and Hailey's ex-boyfriend
AmbitiousArrogantManipulativeSam Putnam
SupportingInnkeeper / Town Manager
Mentor and friend
KindTraditionalTiredWiseWendy
SupportingSocialite / Professional
Ex-girlfriend
MaterialisticDemandingStatus-conscious
Questions people ask about Fairfield Road
Where can I watch Fairfield Road?
Fairfield Road is available via fuboTV, YouTube TV, and Philo. Streaming options change often, so check current availability before settling in.
How long is Fairfield Road?
Fairfield Road runs about 1 hour and 29 minutes, and was released in 2010.
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