Average Rating: 
Rating:  - A Little Treasure with Big Heart
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:  - Big Eden: Like No Place on Earth
Sort of a lite, gay Jane Austen novel set in the lush landscape of backwoods Montana, "Big Eden" is sweet, gentle, and warm enough to overcome its many rough edges and decidedly low aim. Successful New York artist Henry (schlebby Arye Gross) moves back to Montana to take care of his ailing grandfather, and begins of veritable marathon of romantic matches, mistakes, and misunderstandings. Hijinks ensue. It's all very silly, a little confusing, and highly engaging. It's no wonder festival audiences and DVD renters have responded so favorablyThe major critical complaint about "Big Eden" seems to be that it isn't "realistic" enough--that is, it's a gay movie without bashing, AIDS, or self loathing. Ok, ok. Big Eden isn't an entirely real place. But I've never heard "Pretty Woman" criticized for not having enough cancer, or "Ghost" ridiculed for it's lack of wife beating. Perhaps those who see gay men and woman as essentially tragic figures may be disappointed by "Big Eden." But those of us who know our lives run the gamut from silly to sublime should enjoy our very own date movie moment.
Rating: - Absolutely Fabulous!!! You Must Watch!!
What can I say, Big Eden is an absolute revelation of a film, the kind of movie that grabs you, pulls you entirely into its world, and rewards you every step of the way. It makes you feel good inside. You don't want to leave. It is not merely a great gay film. It is a great film.Big Eden tells the story of Henry Hart (Arye Gross), a New York artist called back to Big Eden, Montana due to his grandfather's diminishing health. Everything about his journey defies the stereotypes you expect with this set-up. The townspeople aren't backward hicks. They aren't homophobic. In fact, Henry is the least well-adjusted of the bunch. I'm really not going to delve into the plot too much here, because I really feel that the more I say, the more I will take away from you when you get to discover it for yourself for the first time. Suffice it to say that Henry had a crush on a guy in high school, is conflicted about the unexpected reunion with Dean when he returns, and another character ends up interested in Henry. That's as much as I will say about the plot. The movie is far more about the people and their lives than the actual plot anyway. Thankfully, Wolfe Video not only released this amazing movie, but saw fit to give it the full-on 2-DVD set treatment with writer/director's commentary from Thomas Bezucha. Listening to his commentary, you realize how much love and care was put into this movie. He took great pains to not paint the townspeople are removed from the world. They have the Internet, drink cappuccinos -- they live in their setting intentionally and fully, not because they don't know any better. Arye Gross, who has been in too many TV shows and movies to mention, plays Henry perfectly in every scene. You just want to shake him and show him how many people love him and get him out of his funk. But he is just leading an entire cast that flesh out their roles beautifully. Louise Fletcher, who won an Academy Award for One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, just radiates onscreen, fleshing out her character with a beautiful, loving aura that makes you want to hug her. Eric Schwieg brings a textured performance to Puck that will leave a lasting impression. And, even characters that could have delved into flat stereotypes are given subtle, measured performances like Dean (Tim Dekay), Widow Thayer (Nan Martin, who is an absolute scream and steals every single scene she is in), and Henry's grandfather (George Coe). This movie has become one of my favorite films, and my all-time favorite gay film. It is about family, community, seduction, romance, opening up, letting go, acceptance, friendships, intimacy, and love. Do yourself an amazing favor and take a trip to Big Eden.
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