Big Eden

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".

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.

‘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.

What a marvelous movie! A gay romantic comedy. Going home to find out your secret life isn't really much of a secret, and knowing that some people actually want to help you find what you thought you would never have.

I have watched it twice on the movie channel now, and I love it. It is hard for me to imagine life actually being like that in a remote place. I am not gay, but this movie reinforced for me, that gays are looking for the right love just like straights. OK, so I'm a romantic. I can only hope that this was really someone's experience.

Hopefully we will see more of this kind of thing, until it is no more unusual. Yea!!!!

This was a great movie. It was beautifully shot, showing a northern-ish small mountain town throughout several seasons (it reminded me of Northern Exposure more than once). The plot is by far one of the most realistic and engaging of the many gay movies I have watched. It isn't as agenda-driven as many of the gay films being made these days; it was first and foremost a beautiful story about accepting yourself as an adult, navigating complicated family relationships, and finding/nurturing/accepting relationships that are good for you rather than chasing after pointless fantasies of romance. Even my very-straight-husband loved it (and teared up at the end when the protagonist finally picks the right guy!). It was a great story. The acting is very impressive too. I would absolutely recommend it to both gay and straight audiences.