Big Eden

By: Scott Cranin
In-House Review - Dec 10 2008

This warm and cuddly new film tells a traditional tale of the triangulated relationship with several new spins. There's the gay artist Henry Hart; he loves the waspishly handsome and sexually confused Dean Stewart; and then there's Pike who pines secretly for Henry. Twenty years ago a gay romance set in a small town would have been unthinkable - now it's celebrated in Thomas Bezucha's debut film, Big Eden. In fact, it seems a little far fetched that these small town residents would be so comfortable with gay romance. Our story begins when Henry is called back to his hometown, Big Eden, Montana, after his grandfather falls ill. Once there, he reunites with Dean, his high school crush, whose conflicted heterosexuality motivated Henry's fleeing and years of therapy. While this old crush flares again, the quiet, shy Native American owner of Big Eden's general store, Pike Dexter, has his eyes on the big-city returnee. Pike teaches himself to cook and starts preparing gourmet meals for the recuperating grand-dad and the desired grandson. Rich, funny, but never cartoonish performances are delivered by Arye Gross as Henry, Eric Schweig as Pike, and Louise Fletcher (Nurse Ratched from One Flew Over the Cukoo's Nest) doing a wonderful turn as Grace, a family friend. A fine film with a great, big heart - but it's really a fairy tale.

By: LEinTucson

Okay...it's not believable, but you don't always need to be realistic to be great. It's a gay fairy tale come to life. They got everything right with this film: casting (that includes the locals who were recruited for the store scenes), pacing, directing, and acting. The one aspect that is realistic is the emotions portrayed amongst the cast, and the triangle in particular. Any film that can erase the specter of Nurse Ratched from Louise Fletcher has to be special. Nurse who?!

This movie has great heart, charming performances, and will leave you feeling good.

By: nbkcq28

Every gay man, heck, everyone should see this film. It presents gay men as most of us are...just regular people. There are no stereotypes, no AIDS, no party circuit, no perfect people. There is everything that we all want. It is set in a world where homophobia doesn't exist. It is the world which we gays have been fighting for generations to create. The love story is amazing. The characters are real and lovable. You will laugh, you will cry, you will feel real emotions. Rent this, buy this, give it as a gift. Whatever you do....just watch it and enjoy.

By: GAG'EM

By: Movie Buff

By: Amos Lassen

"BIG EDEN"
Simply Wonderful
Amos Lassen
Big Eden is a small fictional town somewhere in northwestern Montana in the heart of cowboy and lumber country. Henry Hart, an artist in New York who is successful reruns to Big Eden where he grew up. Once he is back, he must come to terms with his former relationship with Dean Stewart, who was his best friend in high school and the object of his love (although never fulfilled). Henry has come home to care for his ill grandmother but he also wants to bring some closure to himself about Dean. He has been pining for him. Suddenly a new character enters the picture, Pike Dexter, a Native American and owner of the general store in Big Eden who falls in love with Henry. The citizens of the town attempt to bring Pike and Henry together but can Henry forget Dean and allow himself to love someone else?
"Big Eden" is a film in which gay men are represented as just men-al shapes, all sizes and even over thirty. They are just regular guys, not drag queens or suicidal manic depressives, no circuit boys and no stereotypes (and Cher is not on the soundtrack).
The movie is Based upon a "what if" assumption-no bigotry, no homophobia, no self hatred. Self discovery is the focus and herein is the change from so many other gay films. The film maintains that if hate and bigotry do not exist, then we can all live and love together.
When Henry realizes that his feelings for Dean were illuminated by the fact that they were not in contact and that distance made his love thatmuchstronger.H also realized that he wanted what he could not have. Instead of being hurt by his self realization of lost love, he is enlightened when he realizes there are alternatives. As "Big Eden" defies al of the clichés of the typical gay films and attempts to present a wholesome and real portrayal of gays, we see walls come tumbling down and hope that this movie opens doors for others to follow. We have a values system in this movie.
Here is a gay themed movie without the threat of AIDS, where there is no fag bashing, with no beautiful bodies. It is just quite simply a look at the rest of us. Here is a movie we can actually call our own e3specially for those of us over thirty.
The plot itself is simple. The only thing that seemed a bit out of the ordinary is that we are asked to believe that in Marlboro Country that we are loved an unconditionally accepted.
Before we look at the cast, let me comment on the technical aspects of the film. The photography is stunning and even though simple; the plot is realistic and engaging. It is a beautiful story about self acceptance as an adult and how to navigate family relationships. The movie is about friends and family and hope.
Arye Gross has been under used by movies until now and in "Big Eden" he shows us what he can do and does it well. He is a regular guy and he plays Henry just that way.Tim DeKay as Dean is sympathetic and he wears his part so well that there are times you just want to slap him around. And there is Louise Fletcher who so wonderfully shows us how to be a good person with a good heart and who wants to see that
someone be made very happy. But it is Eric Schweig who owns this movie. As Pike he steals the film and our hearts.
"Big Eden" is quite simply, simply wonderful.

By: JANORM

I had viewed this movie a couple of years ago. It has taken my purchasing the film and seeing a couple of times in order to appreciate the true meaning. This is a film of love lost and finally realized and found again. The story line is what makes this picture so great. The support that the principle character has, is truly remarkable, for a small town scenario. This is one film that you should take the one you love to see, for it is well worth the price. This should be considered for your collection. LOVE, TRUE-LOVE, CAN BE LOST, BUT IT CAN BE FOUND JUST AS READILY!!! NJMJr!

By: DNormann

Were this the stereotypical, angst-riddled gay Hollywood drama, especially the kind of indie that we could've expected a couple of decades ago, it would definitely be about small-town bigotry and homophobia, probably including a doomed romance between two great-looking guys, and ending in some sort of horrific tragedy.

But that's what makes BIG EDEN so wonderful: it takes every conceivable stereotype and turns it upside-down. When a big-city artist returns to his small hometown "out West" to take care of his ailing grandpa, sparks fly between him and the handsome, conflicted boyhood crush he left behind.

Complicating matters is another friend from childhood, a big and big-hearted Native American guy named Pike, who runs the town's general store, who has carried a torch for the artist since forever. Painfully shy, Pike begins to express his love the only way he knows how: by learning to cook sumptuous meals for his unrequited love.

But here's where the kicker comes in: writer/director Thomas Bezucha takes a cast of small-town, redneck-appearing characters straight out of Central Casting, and gives the audience the shock of their lives--not only are these people accepting and understanding, but they are rooting for the truly intended lovers to get together, while doing everything in their power to see to it that it happens!!!

A modern-day gay romantic fairy tale, BIG EDEN combines the magic of LIKE WATER FOR CHOCOLATE, the quirkiness of NORTHERN EXPOSURE, and just a pinch of ALL OVER THE GUY, stirs well and presents us with a breathtaking, heartwarming vision of a place we all wish we could go to. And better still, it delivers the message that as long as you have people who love you, everyone CAN go back to their own version of BIG EDEN.

By: Gary

This has been one of the best movies I have ever seen. A bit on the unreal side but the characters seemed very real and compassionate. The scenery was fabulous and makes me want to go to Montana and find this fictional town. The premise is Henry goes back to his home town to help out his ailing grandfather and the object of his affection comes back to town. Unbeknown to him the owner of the general store has feelings for Henry. Im not a county western fan but the music was great. Worth evey dime and more i spent for the movie

By: Tyrus

Personally, I've never felt so compelled to write a review for a movie after I watched it. I felt that it worth more than 3 stars. It's really a very good movie. Although there is no sex scene or any nudity at all, it's still one of the best gay films ever. Watch it, and you'll agree with me. And let's not forget the spectacular scenery throughout the whole show.

By: barefurry

How wonderful it would be if there was such a place as Big Eden: where all your friends, family, and co-workers were simply interested in you obtaining happiness. I watched this with a few typically synical friends and we all got up and hugged after this movie ended. Worth watching again and again.

By: CaFun

Big Eden
Hidden clips (2-Disc DVD Edition):

Insert Disc 1, then enter the director's commentary screen. Highlight the "On" icon and press Up.

Insert Disc 1, then enter the scene selection screen. Highlight the "Next" icon, and press Up.

Insert Disc 2, then enter the deleted scenes commentary screen. Highlight the "On" icon and press Up.

Have Fun!

By: Hopeful

While I have to admit I loved While You Were , and have seen only a handful of movies I could truly classify as a romantic comedies - This one does it better, it deserves to be classified as a true Comedic Romance. If there is such a place as Big Eden it is not only a gay and lesbian heaven, But a true heaven on earth, with caring and often funny family and community members, do everything they can to get the two lovebirds to admit they are in love, they do so without being preaching or too rightous. If these two guys were the typical pretty boys this film would have been unbelieveable, but
Director Thomas Bezucha, gave is all little hope for that someone special. Actors Arye Gross, Eric Schweig, Tim Dekay, are delightful and honest. A better cast could not have been found, and the scenery, well just, breathtaking. If you like good romantic love stories with happy endings - strap yourself in and run the field with this wonderful movie. It will leave you full of hope and a yearning for a real life Big Eden.

By: Hipster

A wonderful little movie about life, love, trust, self esteem and finding yourself. Oh yeah, it happens to be a gay romantic comedy. But, you see, that's just the point. At issue is how we choose to live our life, not our "lifestyle". A wonderful little gem that makes you glad you can love and be loved. Some might find the pace "slow", but if you let it, the movie will overtake you with its many charms.