Rating: 
Summary: Big Eden, Big Surprise
Review: I purchased this DVD ages ago, on recommendation from a friend. Never having even heard of it, I didn't know what to expect, and it just sat on my shelf for weeks. Finally, I got around to watching it, and I was very pleasantly surprised.The biggest surprise for me wasn't the ending, which anyone who's ever seen a Hollywood romance could smell a mile away. It was the fact that this movie was so very well done. Having grown up gay in North Dakota (also "timber and cowboy country," better or worse than Montana, I'm not sure), I find some of the fairy tale aspects a little unbelievable, but on the whole the story is incredibly touching and extremely, EXTREMELY well-acted. I didn't immediately recognize many in the cast, but taking a look at what else the actors have done out of curiosity, I began to recognize them from roles in Erin Brokovich, Cruel Intentions, Minority Report, You've Got Mail, Party of Five and many others. This work showcases these actors in extraordinary form. The development of even minor characters is impressive. The director bypasses superficial race issues which could have been beaten to death in another, less sensitive take on this plot. Instead, he focuses on the complex relationships of the characters, transcending the almost irrelevant difference in race. I find it hard to believe this is writer and director Tom Bezucha's first major motion picture, but indeed it is, and it is an amazing debut. I most certainly look forward to his future work.
Rating: 
Summary: A WHISHFUL TWINKLE IN OUR MIND'S EYE!
Review: I really liked this movie and all the characters. You could tell that the cast and crew were really having a good time and enjoyed each other. I just bought the DVD directors cut and the second DVD has a lot of info and has the Directors commentary. Very entertaining! Of course we all know that as of now, with all the hate and fear in the world, Big Eden has to live in a corner of our mind's eye as a "WHAT IF"
town in the Montana Mountains, but a dreamy (what if) and a very warm glowing movie. The cinematography is spectacular.
Although this has a gay theme, I think that it has reached into all segments of the population and been hailed as a small miracle. It has won countless award's. Erye Gross, ( Henry Hart) does a great job as the returning grandson to Big Eden, from New York, where he is an established painter. (His grandpa played by George Coe, (Sam Hart) has had a light stroke.) Also, returning to Big Eden is his school chum, Dean, (Tim McKay) who Henry had a crush on in school and still has feelings for him. Enter Eric Schweig , (Pike) "Last Of The Mohicans," and Skins, to make this a love triangle. There are the Boys that hang around the general store owned by Pike and they offer people Capachino's which was a hoot to see in the Montana Mountains.
I have to mention Louise Fletcher, (One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest) as she is one of the lady's who want Henry to get hooked up to the right guy. Nan Martin is (The widow Thayer) and is a scream at how she manipulates Henry to first the women of Big Eden and then when enlightened, to the men of the general area.
So, this is a movie on how this is all worked out, with Henry and most of Big Eden pulling for him to stay in Eden and his life in New York, pulling him back, plus his self image dragging him down a little. Corinne Boher plays his agent in NY and does a fantastic job. Folks you will love this movie and I suggest you see it and buy the DVD. I give it a 4 1/2 star rating.
ciao yaaah69
Rating: 
Summary: utopia schmopia.
Review: With the glowing synopsis on the cover of this video, and the equally glowing reviews, I expected this film to be better than it was. (I can see all those "negative" votes clicking in...ouch.) I really wanted to like it, but , while I appreciate subtlety, it was just too slow moving for me. I found all those pregnant pauses stillborn...SAY something, already!! Sometimes, those said pauses can be fraught with meaning, or open to interpretation, which is good. But, for me, at least, in this film, it felt like the director was just killing time, or filling space. It's always refreshing seeing average looking, not well known actors in starring roles, and Arye Gross definatley has a Dustin Hoffmanish quality. Also, I have no problem with a movie having what some call an unrealistic plot, that's artistic license, plus, I'm ALWAYS for the "underdog". And I'm as likely to blubber over schmaltzy happy endings as anybody. I'm not saying I hated this film, I did find its "sweetness" ambitious. But, sometimes, when a movie strikes a chord, especially with a large segment of society that was either previously totally ignored, or, portrayed only in a negative light, just the positive acknowledgement is enough for some people to...Oh HELL...I'll just SAY IT !! This movie BORED me...THERE, are you HAPPY now??!! I'm really gonna get it for this, I know, and probably should have just shut up, & not reviewed it. But, I must tell the truth, it almost put me to sleep. And...I found it...(here it comes) a tad... phony. Okay, maybe I'll try watching it again. But for now...I'm outta here!
Rating:
Summary: The best gay themed movie I've ever seen.
Review: I've read most of the reviews about this movie here at Amazon.com and agree with most of the information written.I do however disagree with the fact children should not see this film. Sure there are a couple of off color words but the premise of the story is how our world should be and children SHOULD see this movie. The theme of this story is about people loving and caring about each other regardless of the fact that they are different from one an other. And Henry finally allowing the people he cares about in to care for him. The music reminds me of growing up and my mom stacking her old country albums on the stereo and cleaning and singing along. I had a smile on my face and tears in my eyes watching this movie. As said in other reviews, if you are gay, have gay friends, or going on a date, this picture is perfect. The second disc is the icing on the cake. Enjoy.
Rating:
Summary: wow
Review: even though the town of Big Eden is a complete fiction, what a wonderful world we'd live in if it could all be like that. too bad it's not. it was a nice 2-hour escape into fantasy... queer acceptance in small-town Montana? riiiight... it's also a nice relief from the formulaic flix that imply once a gay man hits 40, he might as well kill himself if he hasn't hooked up by then. bah. I hate sentimental dreck, and this isn't it. it's sad that hateful, pinch-faced, emotionally-constipated right-wingers would never see such a thing. their loss. my gain.
Rating:
Summary: Positive, and a pleasure to watch
Review: The DVD edition of this movie contains a second disc with special features. I really didn't understand the logic of that, since it could have all fit onto one disc; the movie is two hours, and the extras total only one hour. Apparently, they wanted to boast about being the first gay movie with a two-disc set. Still, I enjoyed the extras, and recommend watching the deleted scenes with the commentary turned on. Those scenes really wouldn't have added anything to the movie, but they are interesting as explorations of some likable characters. The 'making of' documentary was especially enjoyable, because of the enthusiasm of everyone involved in this ambitious but seemingly simple little movie. As for the movie itself, I could have done without all the country music, but the documentary reveals that those songs helped inspire the movie, so I suppose I should be grateful for that. It's a lovely film, in which simple rural folk play matchmakers for gay men! Impossible? Not really, just unlikely. But it's a positive, hopeful vision, and a pleasure to watch! Even the most obnoxious and overbearing characters provide amusement. This is the perfect gay movie to watch with your parents, a group of friends, or your nearest PFLAG group. It's even a good date movie.
Rating:
Summary: A gem of a movie
Review: I loved this movie!Finally a movie where average looking guys find love.A rare movie that makes you laugh,cry and has a beautiful ending.I recommended this to all my friends.
Rating:
Summary: Nice film, but I'd think twice about the DVD
Review: The plot is simple, but the execution is lovely: a middle-aged gay man returns to a small town in the Northwest, in order to help his ailing father. His reception in the town is surprising, but that's best left to the viewer to discover. The hero is deeply closeted within Big Eden, so much so that the film seems a little unduly bland on this score. Love interest centers on his high school flame, now a somewhat unhappily married man; and on an extremely shy Native American. This is a very enjoyable, if somewhat idyllic, movie, and the praise it has received is fully justified. On the other hand, the movie is not really up to the lavish treatment of this DVD, which pulls out all the bells and whistles normally reserved for major films. I'd rent instead.
Rating:
Summary: Big Eden
Review: This show was wonderfully written! Most creation of movies with the gay theme are made for adults only. This one is understanding to the lifestyle and to the emotions that belong to the human struggling with who they are. I enjoyed the scenery as well as the story. As a gay man, I truly appreciated the writing, the match of the actors to the characters. I found this film inviting in the way that I would love to be living in that community. I have owned this movie for two weeks and have watched it three times. I have recommended this film to all my friends.
The music was fabulously chosen to fit all the scenes as well.
Thank you.
Rating:
Summary: No More Looking For A Good Romance Movie
Review: If you don't fall in love with the people, place and caracters of Big Eden you most not have watched it. It was heart-warming story that gives even the most hopeless ronatic hope. The scenery is devastatingly breathtaking. It was nice to see a gay romantic comedy that didn't demand shirts off, sex and constant suggestive langauge to get the point across. Plus the loving community is a place any gay couple or hopeful gay person would love settle into in a second. This town's quirky little characters make San Fransisco jealous. This DVD is a must have for your collection so see it love it and take it to heart, because this movie will tug on yours with a wondeful happy ending.
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