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Movies / On DVD / Big Eden
Big Eden

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Big Eden (2001)

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Reviews Counted:51

Fresh:33

Rotten:18

Average Rating:6/10

Consensus: Though unrealistic, Big Eden has all the charm and sweetness of a fairy tale.

Rated: PG-13 [See Full Rating] for some mature thematic material

Runtime: 1 hr 57 mins

Genre: Dramas

Theatrical Release:Jun 1, 2001 Limited

Synopsis: Big Eden is a tiny town tucked away in the timberland of northwestern Montana, where cowboys lounge on the porch of the general store to pass the time away, and keep their eyes on... Big Eden is a tiny town tucked away in the timberland of northwestern Montana, where cowboys lounge on the porch of the general store to pass the time away, and keep their eyes on things.

Although it's been years since he was back, Henry Hart, a successful but lonely New York artist, returns to Big Eden, the town of his childhood, to care for the ailing grandfather who raised him. Once home, Henry finds he must come to terms with his relationship to Dean Stewart, his best friend from high school, and the object of his unrequited love. Henry's feelings for Dean, which caused him to flee Big Eden nearly twenty years ago, seem to have only grown stronger over the intervening years.

At the same time, Henry's reappearance sparks a transformation in Pike Dexter, the shy, unassuming, Native American owner of the town's general store. Pike is as surprised as anyone, and completely unprepared, when he finds himself falling in love with Henry.

As this unspoken triangle unfolds under the scrutiny of Big Eden's community, nearly everyone in town develops a stake in its outcome.

When tragedy strikes and Henry chooses to leave once again, and Pike is unable to articulate feelings which might alter Henry's course, it is ultimately the people of Big Eden that must join together in an effort to help two of their own find true happiness.

BIG EDEN is a uniquely American fable about home and family. It hits upon the universal longing and hope we each have for finding a place where we are loved, and the unconditional desire to see those that we love find happiness. -- © 2001 Jour de Fete Films [More]

Starring: Arye Gross, Tim DeKay, Louise Fletcher, Eric Schweig

Starring: Arye Gross, Tim DeKay, Louise Fletcher, Eric Schweig, Corinne Bohrer, George Coe, Veanne Cox, Nan Martin

Director: Thomas Bezucha

Director: Thomas Bezucha
Screenwriter: Thomas Bezucha
Producer: Jennifer Chaiken
Composer: Joseph Conlan
Studio: Jour De Fete Films

[See More Credits]

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Release:

Apr 30, 2002

[DVD Details]
 
 
  • Returning to his childhood home in Montana when his grandfather falls ill, artist Henry Hart (Arye Gross, Ellen, Six Feet Under) confronts his unrequited passion for his high school best friend and his feelings about being gay in a small town. Cast includes Tim DeKay, Louise Fletcher and Eric Schweig. 117 min. The 2-disc DVD set includes over 60 minutes of bonus features.
  • Source: Wolfe Video
  •  
     
     
     

    Reviews for Big Eden

    • T-Meter Critics
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    1 - 20 (sorted by source)
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    Full Review Source: Austin Chronicle | comment Comment
    03/10/03
    Marrit Ingman
    Marrit Ingman
    Austin Chronicle
    N/R

    ... an innocuous fable about learning how to open oneself up to life’s possibilities ...

    Full Review Source: Baseline.Hollywood.com | comment Comment
    12/21/01
    Ted Murphy
    Ted Murphy
    Baseline.Hollywood.com

    In its gentle, heartwarming, decidedly unrealistic way, it's a refreshing alternative to hipper-than-thou moviemaking.

    comment Comment
    07/13/01
    Scott Heller
    Scott Heller
    Boston Globe
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic
    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Boston Phoenix | comment Comment
    03/24/02
    Boston Phoenix

    When you lay it on too thick, the audience is distracted by implausibility rather than identifying with the characters.

    Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times | comment 1 Comment
    06/08/01
    Roger Ebert
    Roger Ebert
    Chicago Sun-Times
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    Bezucha has drained the movie not only of bigotry but also of dramatic conflict.

    Full Review Source: Chicago Tribune | comment Comment
    06/07/01
    Michael Wilmington
    Michael Wilmington
    Chicago Tribune
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    Um belo elenco em uma fantasia açucaradamente otimista que, criada pelo diretor-roteirista Bezucha, é um sonho de respeito de tolerância. E, por isso mesmo, agradável de assistir.

    comment Comment
    04/25/06
    Pablo Villaca
    Pablo Villaca
    Cinema em Cena

    This fairy tale wraps up the audience without missing the drama of small town politics.

    Full Review Source: Citysearch | comment Comment
    07/13/01
    Michele McCole Moss
    Michele McCole Moss
    Citysearch
    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Combustible Celluloid | comment Comment
    06/23/07
    Jeffrey M. Anderson
    Jeffrey M. Anderson
    Combustible Celluloid

    Except for its gay characters, Big Eden doesn't deviate from tired romantic comedies about heroes who don't know what's good for them.

    Full Review Source: Contra Costa Times | comment Comment
    06/01/01
    Mary F. Pols
    Mary F. Pols
    Contra Costa Times

    In his first time out as a writer-director, Mr. Bezucha, formerly in charge of creative design for Polo/Ralph Lauren and Coach, drags his feet, pops corn and sometimes stumbles.

    Full Review Source: Dallas Morning News | comment Comment
    06/21/01
    Jane Sumner
    Jane Sumner
    Dallas Morning News
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    Surely one of the most genuinely sweet-natured movies around.

    Full Review Source: Deseret News, Salt Lake City | comment Comment
    11/02/01
    Jeff Vice
    Jeff Vice
    Deseret News, Salt Lake City

    Has a big heart.

    Full Review Source: E! Online | comment Comment
    06/01/01
    E! Online

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com | comment Comment
    06/18/01
    Greg Muskewitz
    Greg Muskewitz
    eFilmCritic.com

    No review available.

    comment Comment
    08/21/05
    Emanuel Levy
    Emanuel Levy
    EmanuelLevy.Com
    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: eye WEEKLY | comment Comment
    10/12/01
    Adam Nayman
    Adam Nayman
    eye WEEKLY

    Big Eden has a simple enough plot, but first-time writer-director Thomas Bezucha has endowed it with the twinkly winsomeness of a fairy tale.

    Full Review Source: Film Journal International | comment Comment
    07/23/01
    David Noh
    David Noh
    Film Journal International

    The dialogue crackles happily and the performances charm.

    comment Comment
    06/14/01
    Robert Horton
    Robert Horton
    Film.com
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com | comment Comment
    11/04/04
    Christopher Null
    Christopher Null
    Filmcritic.com

    Too concerned with being quirky and endearing and soon runs out of local charm.

    Full Review Source: Globe and Mail | comment Comment
    03/19/02
    Liam Lacey
    Liam Lacey
    Globe and Mail
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic
     
     
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