Rating: 
Summary: Big Surprise from Big Eden
Review: How is it that I missed this movie when it played the theaters? Just rented the DVD and LOVED it (and watched it twice). I admit its viewpoint of rural life is a little romanticized - but who cares? Wouldn't YOU want to live in a town like Big Eden - I know I would. In the accompanying featurette on the DVD, the filmmakers said the reaction during location shooting was very accepting - so who knows. It definitely has shades of the TV series Northern Exposure and mirrors movies like Chocolat/Big Night/Like Water for Chocolate/Tortilla Soup/Frenzy (compare the Widow Thayer's dishes with those of the Inspector's wife) and any other food oriented film. Why are films that elevate food preparation to an art are so whimsical... and good? It is refreshing to see a gay oriented film with excellent writing (good story with fully developed characters), great production values and an accomplished and well rounded cast (too bad Veanne Cox's role was a little pared down). Be sure to watch the deleted scenes - a few of which I thought should have been included in the final movie. Rent this movie, or better yet buy the DVD (I am going to). Movies like this deserve to be supported.
Rating: 
Summary: Gay romance takes sweet time going nowhere
Review: BIG EDEN (USA 2000): On the verge of commercial success in New York, a lonely artist (Arye Gross) returns to his picturesque home town in Montana after his elderly grandfather (George Coe) falls ill. There, his feelings for the former high school jock (Tim DeKay) are reawakened, but True Love comes calling from totally unexpected quarters... Despite its good intentions and mainstream production values, writer-director Thomas Bezucha's feature debut is a huge disappointment. Adopting a tone similar to the quirky TV series "Northern Exposure" (but without the laughs), Bezucha struggles desperately to keep raw emotions from slipping into 'sentimentality' (when will filmmakers learn that Sentimentality Is Not A Bad Thing?!), and takes his sweet time steering a flimsy narrative towards its inevitable conclusion. There's actually a half-decent 90 minute movie struggling to emerge from this two-hour behemoth! Unlike most other gay films, in which handsome young bucks struggle with their sexuality against a backdrop of bigotry and oppression, BIG EDEN focuses instead on older characters who are already long-established within their sexual identities, though troubled by unresolved issues from their distant past. Hence, Gross' unease when confronted by former jock DeKay, now divorced with two kids, but still hunky enough to catch Gross' eye whenever he takes off his shirt. DeKay appears to have similar feelings for his old high school buddy, but his motives remain ambiguous right up to the 'dramatic' climax. Sadly, Gross doesn't do very much to warrant all the attention he receives, which makes it kinda hard to care one way or the other. But the film's major drawback is the character played by Eric Schweig, a hulking delivery guy whose passions have been thwarted by crippling shyness. A dab hand in the kitchen, and happiest when he's alone with his faithful dog, the character is meant to be sweet and endearing but, as conceived and executed here, he seems to be vying for the title of Dullest Man In The World, and there comes a point in the narrative when his refusal to interact with the very people who might facilitate his hearts' desire becomes an annoyance, to be pitied rather than indulged. And this is ERIC SCHWEIG, the huge Native American guy whose dynamic performances in the likes of SQUANTO A WARRIOR'S TALE and THE LAST OF THE MOHICANS (amongst many others) lifted those movies right off the screen. Talk about playing against type! As such, he and Gross spend the entire movie circling one another, while their friends and families offer encouragement from the sidelines, hoping they'll find the happiness they 'deserve' in each others arms. And not a homophobe in sight!! In terms of craftsmanship, BIG EDEN can't be faulted. Filmed on location in the Montana heartland, it's designed and photographed with exquisite grace, and the performances from a hugely experienced cast - including Louise Fletcher, George Coe and Nan Martin - are first-rate throughout. But Bezucha's approach to the material is so low-key, it simply lies there and dies there, making no dramatic impact whatsoever. Wolfe Video's extraordinary DVD simply adds to the sense of anticlimax. Their deluxe 2-disc presentation is a thing of beauty, complete with pristine anamorphic transfer and 5.1 soundtrack (a first on both counts for this company) and an assortment of extras, beginning with Bezucha's audio commentary on the film itself. The second disc contains a trailer, deleted scenes, and a series of interviews with the film's principal contributors (actors, director, producer, etc.) which lasts about an hour in total, covering the film's genesis and production, from conception to release and beyond. The DVD packaging quotes a number of glowing reviews, in which the movie is described as "The best date movie around!" (amongst other things), and there are details of various awards, including audience prizes at gay/lesbian film festivals in New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles. For all that, however, BIG EDEN turns out to be less than the sum of its parts. You'll either love it or hate it. NB. Incredibly, the MPAA has given the film a PG-13 rating for 'mature thematic material', and frankly, I'm at a loss to understand why. There's a few PG-level swear words, but no sex or nudity, and no violence. In fact, the ONLY thing which seems to have invoked the PG-13 appears to be a couple of scenes in which two guys share a loving kiss. That's it! Make of it what you will, but some observers have already taken the MPAA to task for their ultra-conservative approach to sex and sexuality, especially in gay-themed movies. And if they're prepared to issue a restrictive rating for little more than a KISS, can you imagine how they deal with stronger subjects intended for the R category?... 117m 52s
1.85:1 / Anamorphically enhanced
DVD soundtrack: Dolby 5.1
Theatrical soundtrack: Dolby Digital
No captions or subtitles
All regions
Rating:
Summary: A movie with a gay theme that avoids all the stereotypes!
Review: This heartwarming movie will really take you by surprise. The main characters are not the usual urban pretty-boy types, and "Big Eden" manages to avoid just about about every other stereotype of many gay-themed movies. The conflicts come, not from outside, but rather from within the characters themselves, as they come to understand their own needs, which are as unexpected to them as they are to us. It shows that love can come in unexpected ways. The DVD bonus features, including the director's audio commentary and cast interviews, give an added dimension. Don't miss seeing this gem!
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Fabulous and inspiring
Review: I absolutely adored this movie. The ideals and the struggles this man goes through and how he has to work in the end to be himself, despite he never needed to work at all. I love the whole cast, the soundtrack everything. This is one of my favourite movies. I was surprised with how good it was. But it had me rooting for him throughout the whole movie.
Rating:
Summary: A Little Treasure with Big Heart
Review: I had never heard of "Big Eden" until recently. But a friend prodded me into viewing it. In short, I loved it. In fact, I sent the following e-mail to my posse: Lads, have I got a movie tip for you. "Big Eden." It is the sweetest gay film I have seen in...well...ever...? Just a delight. Story in a nutshell: Henry Hart, a successful NYC artist with an only-in-the-movies Brooklyn studio/loft, dashes home (Big Eden, Montana) when Grandpa has a stroke. To Henry's chagrin, his teen heart's desire, Dean, also has relocated to Big Eden. Well, that is the seed of the story...but it grows into a lovely, colorful flower. OK...it is sweet and sentimental...and the town is some kind of Utopia where gay people are Just Like Real People. But the performances are terrific! [All hail Arye Gross and Eric Schweig!] The story is intelligent, touching, romantic and funny. ["I laughed; I cried; it's better than 'Cats'"!] Indeed, our heroes are...you better sit down for this...average-looking, middle aged men...which came as a shock to me as I thought there was a law banning gay films that didn't feature 25-year-old, full-lipped, gym-buffed boys who drip in equal parts cuteness, testosterone and fabulosity. Oh, and the Montana scenery is lush and...to this hurried New Yorker...most inviting. All in all, kids, "Big Eden" is a video/DVD to find and enjoy with the entire family. Dash to Amazon.com now and buy it!
Rating:
Summary: LIFE AFIRMING OLD FASHIONED LUV-Story (GAY)
Review: Hey! I don't usually get too involved in movies, but I Just got back from seeing one of the most LIFE AFFIRMING movies of my life... This movie is NOT appropriate for kids, but it is very heart warming for old fashionned heart warming LOVE STORY for pre-adults & adults who respect and value diversity and good values... Big Eden is told with a TWIST - a less than the usual or average-centric point of view... In BIG EDEN (a currently showing independent movie), being Gay in a small town is no big deal... And everyone's life there is as usual -- a small town that has many caring and loving people of which some just happen to have grown up "different" -- they are the Gay members of the community and they are full-valued members of the town. Yes, there is boy-boy kissing, but that is NOT the point of the movie... it is the importance of the total human experience! If you are Gay or have Gay friends then, "Big Eden" will be a joy to watch. Go see it with them or just treat yourself to a nice flic with a different twist! Anyway, If you get a chance to see "BIG EDEN" do... WOWOW! Don Hicks Los Angeles, CA
Rating:
Summary: a very enjoyable movie
Review: I loved this movie and have recommended it to quite a few friends; all of which enjoyed it as well. As movies with gay themes go, this is a treat. You won't be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: Did I miss something?
Review: I'm glad to see that so many seem to have enjoyed the film, but it honestly left me confused and wondering what I had missed. The plot really didn't make sense. Big Eden left me with a feeling similar to when to friends try to tell you about something they both know, but leave out all the important details you need to hear to 'get it'. The main character is rude to his friends, his family, and everyone who approaches him from the very first scene and you end up not caring for him as a viewer. The city he finds himself in is bent on playing matchmaker and keeping him there, but it all seems very unrealistic and your mind fights against it the whole time. The ending is predictable and takes forever to play out. All in all, the only thing I really liked about it was that it was gay-themed. If this had been a straight flick I don't think I would have even finished it.
Rating: 
Summary: Thank Goodness!!!
Review: Thank goodness there's a gay film that doesn't have naked gym bunnies or inane disco music. The main characters are sexy from within and its refreshing to see a Native American (or any other race by that matter) as leading man material in a gay film. Romance is alive in gay films after all!
Rating:
Summary: A break in the Tradition
Review: I started this movie with the expectations that I have come to accept with all gay-themed movies -- one or all of the main characters will die before the movie is over. And usually, that death will be gay-related (AIDS, homophobic violence, etc). While there was one death in the movie, that was expected and was of one of the supporting characters, not the protagonist. So, even though the story is a little weak and the plot totally predictable, a good, wholesome gay love story was nice to watch. I would recommend this as a date movie (as it has been described) or just an "I'm alone on a rainy Saturday afternoon" movie.
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