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Big Eden
2001
This big country romance involves an emotionally stilted Manhattan artist named Henry (Ayre Gross) who returns to his Montana hometown of Big Eden when his grandfather takes ill. Drama instantly arises as Henry learns the boyhood best friend (Tim DeKay) on whom he's fostered a twenty-year-long unrequited crush, has also .. Read more
| Starring | Ayre Gross |
|---|---|
| Director | Thomas Bezucha |
| Genres | Drama, Gay/Lesbian |
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Big Eden
This big country romance involves an emotionally stilted Manhattan artist named Henry (Ayre Gross) who returns to his Montana hometown of Big Eden when his grandfather takes ill. Drama instantly arises as Henry learns the boyhood best friend (Tim DeKay) on whom he's fostered a twenty-year-long unrequited crush, has also returned to Big Eden and is anxious to resume their friendship. Henry also comes into contact with Dexter (Eric Schweig), the Native American proprietor of a local general store. Quiet and withdrawn, Dexter finds himself attracted to Henry but expresses his interest solely through a progressively more elaborate series of home-cooked meals. It is interesting that though they are surrounded with love and support by the liberal locals, these gay men are still blocked from romantic fulfillment by their own doubts and fears. The supporting cast includes residents of Montana's Glacier Park region where the film was shot, and Academy Award winner Louise Fletcher (ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST). A soundtrack of nouveau country music helps keeps things moving, and the color-saturated photography brings life to both the stunning outdoor vistas and the impeccably rustic interior decor. BIG EDEN is the feature debut of director/writer Thomas Bezucha.
| Starring | Ayre Gross |
|---|---|
| Director | Thomas Bezucha |
| Studio | 4DIGITAL MEDIA |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 55 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Drama, Gay/Lesbian |
| Language | DVD: English |
| Released | DVD: not available Production year: 2001 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews (4)
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In the mythical Montana town of Big Eden, where all the local yokels are pro-gay, non-racist and open to suggestion, closeted New York artist Arye Gross arrives to look after his grandfather. But the accepting townsfolk guess his secret and force him to choose between a relationship with his hunky ex-school friend Tim DeKay and the American Indian general store owner Eric Schweig. Although an unbelievably saccharine cornball fantasy at times, very awkwardly scripted in some key scenes and laid on far too thick by director Thomas Bezucha, the crisp acting and well-meaning stance exerts enough charm and warmth to disguise effectively what many will find too overdone and hopelessly implausible.
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"...BIG EDEN may be less a dream of finding perfect romance than a simpler, but somehow more touching, fantasy of simply being accepted..."
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Most helpful member's review
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19 out of 21 people found this review helpful
Heart warming gay story
How refreshing to see a gay movie dealing with older people (in their 30s! - no 'cute totty' on display here) and which is so decidedly upbeat. New York artist Henry (Ayre Gross) goes home to the Montana mountains to look after his ailing grandfather, and in the process learns a great deal about himself and his failure to find a loving relationship. There's a certain amount of wish-fulfilment here which takes a little swallowing; for example, there's not a single homophobe in this small town (how likely is that outside of cosmoplitan New York?) and in fact the locals do their very best to find our hero a man! But the scriptwriter/director makes a valuable point when he says that he wanted to explore a situation where homophobia isn't the problem, to show that gay people are just as likely as straights to screw things up for themselves! There's a problem with the character of Dean (the object of our hero's affections); the author seems to want to suggest that Dean is straight but would like to sleep with Henry if only he felt physically capable of it. Instead he comes across as a closet case who is resistant to coming out because of his kids.
But put your cynicism aside, revel in the beautiful locations and nicely-judged performances (not least Louise Fletcher - Oscar Winner in 1975 for One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest) and don't be surprised if a little tear trickles down your cheek by the time the film reaches its climax... -
Most recent members' review
View all -
19 out of 21 people found this review helpful
Heart warming gay story
How refreshing to see a gay movie dealing with older people (in their 30s! - no 'cute totty' on display here) and which is so decidedly upbeat. New York artist Henry (Ayre Gross) goes home to the Montana mountains to look after his ailing grandfather, and in the process learns a great deal about himself and his failure to find a loving relationship. There's a certain amount of wish-fulfilment here which takes a little swallowing; for example, there's not a single homophobe in this small town (how likely is that outside of cosmoplitan New York?) and in fact the locals do their very best to find our hero a man! But the scriptwriter/director makes a valuable point when he says that he wanted to explore a situation where homophobia isn't the problem, to show that gay people are just as likely as straights to screw things up for themselves! There's a problem with the character of Dean (the object of our hero's affections); the author seems to want to suggest that Dean is straight but would like to sleep with Henry if only he felt physically capable of it. Instead he comes across as a closet case who is resistant to coming out because of his kids.
But put your cynicism aside, revel in the beautiful locations and nicely-judged performances (not least Louise Fletcher - Oscar Winner in 1975 for One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest) and don't be surprised if a little tear trickles down your cheek by the time the film reaches its climax... -
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Big Eden
This big country romance involves an emotionally stilted Manhattan artist named Henry (Ayre Gross) who returns to his Montana hometown of Big Eden when his grandfather takes ill. Drama instantly arises as Henry learns the boyhood best friend (Tim DeKay) on whom he's fostered a twenty-year-long ...
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