Average Rating: 
Rating:  - Big Eden Does Exist
I watched "Big Eden" on the recommendation of a friend. I was totally blown away by it. I can't say enough good things about it. If you are tired of the standard gay movies where everyone is a twenty-something, with perfect bodies and consumed with nothing but sex then this movie is for you. Finally a movie that portrays middle age gay men in a positive light. I know many may find the plot a bit on the unrealistic side, but I know from personal experience that there are places in rural America quite similar to "Big Eden". I was lucky enough to witness it first hand. I would not have believed it had I not seen it for myself.
Rating: - One of the all time great love stories
If you are a movie lover,by all means put this one on your short list of films to own. Trust me, you will want to watch it again and again. Why? Well, how about great acting, inspired writing, deft direction, and absolutely gorgeous scenery. Ayre Gross and Eric Schweig make one of the sweetest couples to ever appear on screen. Both characters are complex, yet recognizable. You do literally FEEL these men,their pain, and ultimately their joy. And,believe me, getting to that joy is a delightful journey. If there was any justice in Hollywood, both of these actors would be working CONSTANTLY. There are also fine and sometimes surprising supporting performances from veterans like Louise Fletcher, Nan Martin and George Coe. We can't forget Veanne Cox, O'Neal Compton, Tim DeKay, and all the guys at the store(watch these little gems closely). Bravo to Thomas Bezucha for bring us this diamond of a film. I can't wait to see more of his stuff. Oh, and Thomas, thank you for that final kiss. Boy, I'm a sucker for high romance.
To the DVD buyers out there. The extras here are really interesting. Especially the cast interviews and the "Making Of" segments. So, run, don't walk, to purchase this movie. You won't be sorry. I'm moving to Big Eden ASAP!!
Rating: - A Gem of a Movie!
Two reasons I bought this DVD: 1) the sweet and romantic storyline and 2) Eric Schweig (I'll watch any movie with Eric in it). I think the only other "gay" themed movies I've watched so far are "Birdcage" and "M. Butterfly" - one a comedy, the other a serious drama. But "Big Eden" is a beautiful romance, set in modern-day Montana.Many reviews have already touched on the plot of "Big Eden", so I'll just comment on my personal observations of the characters, DVD features and other trivia. 1) IMO, both Arye Gross and Eric Schweig share great screen chemistry as "Henry Hart" and "Pike Dexter", respectively. Pike is a head taller than Henry and I feel that if there must be a "dominant" partner in any relationship (gay/not), Pike would be the one. He's evidently the stronger of the two although he's more silent, painfully shy and perhaps more sensitive. Henry is sensible, vulnerable but very cheerful and romantic. There's a cute scene (before Henry realizes his true feelings) which takes place in Henry's kitchen. Pike has just delivered dinner to him, and Henry (who is doing the dishes, I think) asks Pike to stay for dinner. Pike shyly declines and Henry presses him on to stay. Then Pike nervously says OK, but he has to go home to feed his dog first. Henry was pleased and he says "OK", and then he returns to the kitchen sink and you see how casual he is in his shorts and shirt and with the dishcloth thrown over his shoulder and Pike standing by him and I just couldn't help smiling and thinking: gosh, that scene is so sweet and "domestic"! You really do want these two to find romantic bliss together! 2) All the actors did a brilliant job - to me, the standouts are Arye Gross, Eric Schweig, Louise Fletcher ("Grace") and Nan Martin ("Widow Thayer"). 3) There are 2 passionate kissing scenes... one involving Henry and Dean (the local "boy" whom Henry had loved for the past 20 years) and the other (a "hotter") scene with Henry and Pike. I think people who have "problems" watching gays kissing should avoid watching/reviewing this movie altogether. People like the movie critic, Roger Ebert for example, who gave this movie only 2-stars. Ebert wrote that the last scene (which is the kissing scene) was "... painfully overdone.... When you lay it on too thick, the audience is distracted by implausibility..." Come on, the whole movie has shown us just how warm and loving the community of Big Eden is and how accepting the people are with gay issues. Heck, these people are the ones who bring the two guys together. So I think there's nothing "overdone" or "implausible" about the public kissing! Another observation: Ebert seems to have no problem with lesbian love scenes (read his review of the movie "Mulholland Drive"). 4) The DVD comes in a 2-disc format. The movie itself is in Disc 1 (it has Henry's face on the cover). There is a Scenes Selection feature but no subtitles are available. Disc 2 has Pike's face on the cover and contains some great featurettes e.g. theatrical trailer, deleted scenes and interviews with the director, producer and actors. 5) I like it that in the story, Henry and Pike are of different races. As there're more barriers to overcome, it makes their coming together that much more sweet and real. Arye Gross commented in the Interview that because Henry and Pike are from different cultures, they have more to offer each other in the relationship. The director, Tom Bezuckha actually decided to write Pike's character as a Native American only in the end i.e. after he had finished the script. 6) Some viewers will complain that there's no place like Big Eden in the real world; that it's too good to be true; that it's all purely the director's fantasy. Well, if that's the case, then how sad! All the more reason why we need more positive movies like "Big Eden" with the hope that after watching them, people (wherever they are in the world) will open their mind and heart and accept the differences that exist among people. You know, that life may eventually imitate art. 7) This movie is great for many reasons. I highly recommend purchase of the DVD which is great for one's collection and for repeated viewings with family and friends. It's a sweet love story (just nice, not cloyingly so) and when the end credits roll, you'll find yourself smiling happily and with a nice warm feeling in your heart. A real gem of a movie, truly!
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