Big Eden

Everything has already been said about this film in the adjoining comments, so I'll make a few personal observations.

I'm not about to apologize for liking this film, or make any excuses for its content. Frankly, who's to say such a town can't exist? My origins are in the Deep South, and believe it or not, I've seen communities like this one. Perhaps it is "stereotypical" to think that such a town CANNOT be real. Sure, hatred exists everywhere. I've personally been the victim of a nasty hate crime, but I've also been fortunate enough to visit small communities that embrace everyone, gay or straight. I have every reason to be bitter, but I choose not to be a martyr.

As others have said, I welcome this film as a gay love story that avoids the pitfalls of torpid melodrama and morbid angst. Many have accurately compared this film to the TV series "Northern Exposure." It really is a sweet little film (and I normally avoid that word).

How interesting that ALL of my cynical gay friends love this film. Surprisingly, I only learned of it this year. Ebert totally missed the boat on this one.

people keep commenting about this being a gay movie. i didn't think it was a gay movie. i could see how if you were gay, you could certainly relate to this movie, i would think anyone who has ever had a secret would relate. i'm not gay, but there are a lot of things about myself i dont really share with my parents. ideas and feelings that they just wouldn't understand. most of them deal with philosophy, religion and politics. parts of myself that i can't share with everyone because they aren't open to discussion. they are who i am. i don't care to change them and couldn't if i tried. this movie says a lot about relationships, and i think it's far more universal than who you might sleep with. people who desperately want to connect, but just won't allow themselves. anything that has ever made you feel different, or un-sure. anyway i thought this was a great movie. could have been about a gay man. could have been about a circus performer, could have been about any person who just wants to feel more connected. it certainly scratched an itch. great film. i hope the director makes others.

An artist living in NYC returns home to Big Eden, a rural area of Montana, to care for his ailing grandfather. The artist gets reacquainted with people from his past, including an old high school friend. Romantic complications ensue.

This is not a film for viewers looking for lots of fast paced action and excitement. It's more of a character study that focuses on the lives of warm-hearted, ordinary people who are caring and sensitive. People spend a lot of time cooking and eating. (I don't recall a film in which there was so much food). More idealistic than realistic, the film's underlying contemporary message is a welcome change from the usual Hollywood gloom and doom theme. On the other hand, some of the relationships between characters are not obvious, which renders a slightly muddled story.

Overall, "Big Eden" is a well-made movie with good production design, adroit cinematography (that captures a beautiful landscape), and fine acting. And, I like the Tex-Mex music, though to someone like me who lives in Texas, the music seems a little out of place ... so to speak. But maybe not.

One of the best things about "Big Eden" is the inclusion of Nan Martin as an elderly gadabout. With her deep-throated voice and her animated expressions, she stands out as a unique, and thoroughly entertaining, actress. Would love to see her in more films.

‘Big Eden' is a excellent film and gets better on repeated viewings. Arye Gross is just superb as the painter who goes back to his roots to care for his dying grandfather. He also goes back to unrequited love but eventually finds a love he did not know existed. The film is beautifully shot making the most of the rural surroundings and the characters are all fully rounded, so much so, that by the end of the movie you will know and care for them all. It also contains much humour and a perfectly integrated musical score. Of course it is a fantasy world where everybody cares for and accepts other people for what they are, but it is a world we should all be striving to make real.

After a female friend of mine recommended this film to me, I rented "Big Eden" last evening and thoroughly enjoyed it. Contrary to another review of this film on this website, there is nothing "distasteful" about the 2 (only 2) brief scenes in which men kiss. Anyone who finds that distasteful is obviously missing the point of the film. As a gay man, I don't find myself overly bothered by the endless displays of affection between straight people that is displayed in almost every mainstream Hollywood picture.

"Big Eden" is all about finding your place in life, and recognizing the love that is given to you by the people in your life. Kindness seems to be everywhere in the film as well, such as Widow Thayer and her efforts to introduce Henry to women (and, later, men), Pike's culinary pursuits, and just about everyone else.

If you're looking for a film that leaves you with a good feeling about the world, check out "Big Eden".