Big Eden - Un petit miracle

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.

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!!!!

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.

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".

Only in a fictional town ... sigh! This film is very well-written and has a superb cast. It's so warm, in a realistic, homespun kind of way. The true joy in viewing this film is that it is not stereotypical or predictable, and it doesn't trivialize. It speaks to the heart.

This film also flows very well, with no weak or flat spots in the storyline. It draws the viewer in more as a participant. Bravo!