Average Rating: 
Rating:  - Big Surprise from Big Eden
How is it that I missed this movie when it played the theaters? Just rented the DVD and LOVED it (and watched it twice). I admit its viewpoint of rural life is a little romanticized - but who cares? Wouldn't YOU want to live in a town like Big Eden - I know I would. In the accompanying featurette on the DVD, the filmmakers said the reaction during location shooting was very accepting - so who knows. It definitely has shades of the TV series Northern Exposure and mirrors movies like Chocolat/Big Night/Like Water for Chocolate/Tortilla Soup/Frenzy (compare the Widow Thayer's dishes with those of the Inspector's wife) and any other food oriented film. Why are films that elevate food preparation to an art are so whimsical... and good? It is refreshing to see a gay oriented film with excellent writing (good story with fully developed characters), great production values and an accomplished and well rounded cast (too bad Veanne Cox's role was a little pared down). Be sure to watch the deleted scenes - a few of which I thought should have been included in the final movie. Rent this movie, or better yet buy the DVD (I am going to). Movies like this deserve to be supported.
Rating: - What a great film
What a great film. I had not heard anything about this movie and viewed it on the off chance that it might be ok. I was pleasantly surprised.
Has great characterisations (one or two maybe a bit cliched) an intelligent script, great acting, great country music and indigenous sound track, beautiful scenery and an ending that made me wish that there were places like Big Eden on our planet.The thing I liked most about the film was its centre on a sense of community - I think it is incidental that the main characters are gay as the story could have worked just as well if they were straight - a community spirit that we all seem to have lost. The other great theme is that if we let others in to our lives, regardless of who we or they are, it can be such an enriching experience. I can't number all of the great things I have gotten from this film, but must admit that I am on my own personal search for a place like Big Eden. One that values people and community and offers enrichment for everyone no matter who you are. I thoroughly recommend this movie to everyone.
Rating: - Happiness is a warm movie
Big Eden is the one gay movie all your friends will enjoy. (All MY friends have loved it anyway!) Everyone - gay or straight, has yearned for someone to love them, and these 2 hours of sheer joy brings back that certain feeling all over again!
Plot:
Gay painter Henry Hart upsets his busy New York career by returning to his hometown of Big Eden, Montana, to care for his ailing grandpa. Meeting up with childhood crush Dean gets him contemplating to stay on in Big Eden. Trouble is - Dean is straight and likely to remain so.
The gentle townspeople badly wants to include Henry in their community and so a plan takes shape. This includes a matchmaking widow, the painfully shy Indian manager of the local store, and some wonderful cooking...Few romantic movies live up to their own hype. This one does. Big Eden has that intensely self-contained mood you want to experience again and again. It doesn't relate to a singular time or place. It's not dependent on anything but your imagination. Like Wuthering heights, Portrait of Jennie, Elvira Madigan, Summer of 42 and Love Story, it's simply there to be enjoyed by lovers of all creeds. It could be the music - country and western love songs have rarely been used this effectively. It could be the scenery: Big Eden, Montana is shot in a National Park, all woodlands and mountains. It could be the cinematography, shaded autumnal tones, wonderfully lit log cabin interiors, the brilliant big sky. And, of course, the actors, the direction... I guess I have to use the well-worn cliché: This movie IS greater than the sum of its parts. And very, very enjoyable. 5 stars.
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