Big Eden Review

Directed By: Thomas Bezucha
Starring: Arye Gross, Eric Schweig, Tim DeKay, George Coe, Veanne Cox, Nan Martin, and Louise Fletcher.

I loved this emotionally-charged story of love and friendship. It maintains a meandering pace most of the time but it complements the overall mood. The magnificent Marlboro Country-like setting of Montana with crystal clear lakes could be a metaphor for the purity of love expressed by these rural gay lovers.

A stirring musical score helps make the hilly backdrop come alive with the sound of music - C&W style.

We're drawn irresistibly into what's on screen by superb performances from the cast of unknowns and stage veterans Louise Fletcher and Nan Martin. Amazingly, little Big Eden is a most liberal speck on the map when it comes to supporting and aiding its gay trio. The sight of masculine males smooching with mucho lusto while dancing crotch to crotch, nattily decked out in clean ranch duds, brings not one titter of derision, nor any self-righteous insults or bashing from Big E's town boys.

Big E's town folk--a lovable bunch of characters--have known and admired the lads since childhood. Shucks, even the irresistible C & W love songs are rootin' for 'em.

A slow pace, irritating at first, picks up in the latter part of this 1 hour 48 minute tale of friendship and humanity. There's nary a moment of sexual activity or even nudity. However, two scenes of passionate mouth to mouth smooching dispels any doubt about their sexual orientation.

When successful New York artist Henry Hart returns to Big Eden to be with his ailing granddad, he discovers that Dean, his macho high school lover - played terrifically by hot Tim DeKay - has married and fathered two gorgeous kids. Their first moments alone will steam yer specs of ya'll. However, Dean's marital status has disappointed Henry - a rather Plain Jane type who thought he'd take up with his teen time amorata where they left off when he went to the Big Apple for college and career. What a 'klutz' for thinking stupid thoughts. However, he is convincingly portrayed by Arye Gross (from the original "Ellen" cast on TV).

Not until the end - and I won't reveal the heartwarming but dramatic sequences leading to the climatic outcome - does Henry realize where and to whom he belongs. In the interim, Pike comes into the picture. He's a shy but ruggedly handsome Native American who runs the town's general store and is a whiz of a gourmet cook using recipes in women's magazines to which he secretly subscribes. Everyone loves Pike, movingly portrayed by Eric Schweig. He has fewer words than everyone else, being the stoic type, yet he is as well spoken as the rest devoid of Indian stereotypical grunts. Schweig's expressive face speaks volumes. Unless I missed it we don't know why this low key but virile Native son - somewhere in his late 20's to early 30's - isn't on a reservation with his family or not in the big city. Is the neat Pike languishing in the closet we wonder.

First time writer-director Thomas Bezucha provides a well-written script, lots of interesting camera work and a genuine feel for time, place and character. Veteran stage actress Nan Martin is a prime example of the latter as she darts hither and yon as the church-going match maker for the "very nice boys" of Big Eden.

It's pushing the credibility button to see no one in this tiny town --all two or three hundred of them--is homophobic in the least. Seemingly only these three of the overall male population (which makes up the local all-male chess club and choral group) are gay! I suspect the title is not only the location of this little fairy tale, but also a metaphor for that legendary garden in the bible's Book of Genesis. Here, however, no fruit is forbidden!

Copyright© DVDwolf.com
Written By: Alan Raeburn

DVD Information: Special Features: BIG EDEN is the first gay feature to make its DVD premiere in a special 2-disc set, which will feature a widescreen transfer, a director's commentary track, a behind-the-scenes short documentary, bonus footage and extended scenes, original theatrical trailer, bloopers, and cast/crew biographies.

The DVD Review:
BIG EDEN is the first gay feature to make its DVD premiere in a special 2-disc set, which will feature a widescreen transfer, a director's commentary track, a behind-the-scenes short documentary, bonus footage and extended scenes, original theatrical trailer, bloopers, and cast/crew biographies.