Big Eden

Rating:
Summary: A Sweet Fairy Tale
Review: Henry is an up-and-coming artist, the toast of the New York City art world. When his beloved grandfather has a stroke, he reluctantly puts his career on hold and moves back to his small hometown in Montana to care for him. Once there, he finds that, while the people are a little older, not much has changed in the years he's been gone. He reconnects with old friends, including his best friend (and secret crush) from high school, Dean.

Widow Thayer is the town busy-body, and she's taken it upon herself to prepare meals for Henry's grandfather...and play matchmaker in the process. She attempts to set Henry up with every available woman in town, before it finally dawns on her that he is gay. It doesn't slow her down for a second. She just shifts her match-making skills into same-sex mode.

As Henry and Dean explore their relationship, Pike enters the scene. Pike is a sweet, shy man who runs the local general store. The whole town can see that Pike has a crush on Henry, but Henry seems oblivious, too caught up in his crush on Dean and his dying grandfather to barely notice the man who delivers their meals. The townspeople begin to work to push Pike and Henry together, but will their plan succeed or will Henry return to New York?

This movie is a charming fairy tale. Would all the citizens of a tiny Montana town be as open-minded as the residents of Big Eden? Only in a perfect world, but taken in the context of a fictional movie, it illustrates how different our world could be if everyone wasn't so hung up on sexuality. Like its Biblical namesake, Big Eden is a paradise of sorts, a place free from homophobia and hate. I thought the cast did a remarkable job of bringing the story to life, and while the movie bogs down a bit in the middle, I thoroughly enjoyed it as a whole.

Rating:
Summary: The Best "Eden"
Review: "Big Eden" is a fable played out in the disguise of gay and straight people getting along all the time...which is why it remains warming and entertaining. It leads us astray from other "gay" films, showing us a little more diversity in the community and it also leaves outthe fear and hate and bigotry. We see the unification of humanity, regardless of our race, ethnicity, sexuality and whatever other differences between us, and it allows to see the ability to strive for the best of ourselves. It shows us that not only do we hope for the best in our own spirits, but also how we hope for the best in the spirits of others and how we help each other acheive that great happiness.

Watch this film. That is all. Just watch this film, whether it be by yourself, with friends, lovers, or family. I guarantee that you will end with a great smile, a bigger, warmer heart, and a new hope that it actually is possible to love one another, no matter what the discrepencies between us as individuals.

"Big Eden" is pure joy and happiness. Gotta love it!!!!

Rating:
Summary: Big Eden - a touching gay romance with heart and soul!
Review: Big Eden is a romantic fantasy for mature souls. This warm, wonderful film taps into the universal emotional drives for family, love, and a place to call home. Audiences at numerous film festivals have taken to heart the Everyman characters created by some exceptional performers, guided by the writing and direction of Thomas Bezucha.

The story revolves around Henry Hart. He's a transplanted New Yorker - an artist on the verge of major success in the big city. As he readies for his big gallery show, a call comes from his hometown. His grandfather, the man who raised Henry after the death of his parents, has had a stroke. Henry, despite the protests of his friend/agent, hops the first plane back to Montana, and quickly becomes thrust back into the lives of the small community he had left years before.

As he integrates back into the Big Eden community, Henry has to cope with helping his grandfather adjust to his medical condition, as well as dealing with the curiosity and interference of the well-meaning locals. The standout is the Widow Thayer, who is enlisted to do the cooking for Henry and his grandfather, but who takes it upon herself to play matchmaker for Henry.

Henry's most-anticipated reunion is with Dean, his best friend from high school, and not-so-secret crush. Dean has also recently returned to town following his divorce, and is very happy to rekindle his friendship with Henry. Other familiar faces from Henry's past include Anna, the mayor of the town, and Pike, the painfully shy, enigmatic owner of the general store.

As Henry and Dean begin to re-explore their relationship, another potential romantic partner surfaces, and the whole town becomes aware of the situation. Rather than exploding with intolerance and homophobia, the townsfolk become conspirators and cheerleaders for everyone to wind up in happy relationships, regardless of orientation.

Much of the criticism of this film involves the unlikelihood that small-town America would be as open-minded and supportive as the members of the Big Eden community when it comes to the issue of same-sex relationships. This would be a valid point in a documentary, but Big Eden is a fictional location. It should not be any more difficult to accept this dramatic convention than it is to accept that Dorothy can visit Oz after a bump on the head, or that Julia Roberts can be rescued from a life of prostitution by a mogul who looks like Richard Gere.

Big Eden is the type of wonderful surprise that keeps me returning to the Outfest film festival year after year. Many of the movies I see there are formulaic and forgettable, but every now and then a fresh new perspective pops up on screen, and reminds me of how an enjoyable film can create a world filled with characters and relationships that entertain, and stay with you. This was my reaction to Big Eden, as well as many other audience members at Outfest, judging from our conversations afterwards.

If your idea of the perfect gay film involves near-naked gym bunnies looking for their next sex partner or drug high, do yourself a favor and skip Big Eden. If, however, you are interested in adult stories that explore the complex emotions that guide (and sometimes misguide) human relationships, you'll be in for a treat when you enter the world of Big Eden.

Rating:
Summary: Big Success! Fabulous Movie!
Review: This movie touched my heart! It's is so natural, so romantic and yet funny, with a happy ending!

This movie is a MUST SEE!

Rating:
Summary: Big Eden
Review: A 'capraesque' celebration of wisdom, tolerance and understanding in small town America and the beauty, strength and joy of the infinite spectrum of love.

Rating:
Summary: A Compete Collectors Item
Review: You know, there are some movies people recommend that you are not so sure about and others that you totally get?

This is one of those "totally get" movies. The whole relationship between the family members and others is so beautifully crafted that even the most hard hearted of us will understand it. This is so up there with "It's A Wonderful Life" but will never get the acclaim because of the underlying gay theme.

Some of the best things in life happen when you are least expecting them - this was one of them. This is art.

Rating:
Summary: I Loved This Movie!
Review: I just woke up and caught this movie on Cable TV from just after the beginning, and I don't know if I'm just more emotional in the mornings, or this movie was as great as I think it was, but I cried through the whole movie! I loved it! If you need a life affirming movie as a gay man, or anyone, this is it! I'm here to buy the DVD Edition with all the extras because I can't wait to show it to my boyfriend, and watch it again myself! I think I will watch this movie over and over again because of the good feelings about life that I have now after watching it. It actually makes you want to be a better person in your own community! No other movie has ever moved me as much as this one. I would recomend this movie to anyone!

Rating:
Summary: A little gem of a film
Review: This film is a classical boy returns to home town, hooks up with a local girl and, after overcoming obstacles, they go off in to the sunset together. Except in this case it's two guys. Interestingly and refreshingly, the fact that the main protagonists are gay is barely an issue in the story.

The acting is top notch all around and the scenery of Montana is spectacular. I was delighted to watch a movie that is about unconditional love and acceptance. This film's gentle humor and unabashed romanticism was a delight to behold.

My wife and I were also very moved by the story. She had herself a good cry and even I had a lump in my throat. I doubt that there any place in the real world that is filled with so many loving and supportive people, but I found Big Eden to be a much appreciated break from the sadness of current events.

Rating:
Summary: Fabulous Movie On Many Fronts!
Review: This uplifting movie filmed in a beautiful part of the country is a feel-good, make-you-think movie. A great storyline, with awesome portrayel of the characters by excellent actors. A very real conglomeration of people and their stories, real life situations, and struggle to succeed all wrapped up in a cozy story that doesn't get old and isn't ickily maudlin.

Rating:
Summary: I'm sold
Review: I take back my reservations about Big Eden after watching extras on DVD. At its heart, the director says, the movie tells us that take away hate and bigotry and life is still difficult.
Henry Hill is a successful but unhappy NYC artist who returns to his Montana home after his grandfather has a stroke. While coming to terms with a high school friend, Dean, who he's secretly loved for 18 years, he finds a surprising new love.