Saturday at the Movies: Big Eden (2000)

Post Reply New Topic

Every Saturday night on WrongPlanet.net, a discussion will ensue about a selected autism-related film. Please, take care to avoid spoilers (or, at least, flag them) to prevent potential viewers from learning too much about the story in advance of their viewing. Tonight’s selected film is:

Big Eden (118 minutes), a 2000 romantic-drama film written and directed by Thomas Bezucha as Preston Sturges or Frank Capra might have envisioned it; timber and cowboy country. This is the story of Henry Hart, a successful New York artist, who returns to the town of his childhood to care for the ailing grandfather who raised him. The DVD version of the film was released in 2002. Scenes from the film are available for viewing on YouTube under the search term Big Eden.

WrongPlanet.net member, arkatron, writes that Big Eden is “a film about community, family, and love. According to one reviewer, it is ‘a heart-affecting gay romantic drama that unabashedly celebrates community as the ideal milieu for bringing out the best in people’ (Spirituality & Practice). The film is irresistibly upbeat and endearing. In the film, Henry Hart (played by Arye Gross), returns to Big Eden, Mont., the hometown that he left nearly 20 years ago for the big city. Henry is at a crossroads; he is caught between old love and new beginnings. The costar of the film, Pike Dexter (played by Eric Schweig), is a quiet and shy man, possibly on the spectrum, who has lived his entire life in the small community. He is at crossroads between first love and first loss -- will he find the courage to pursue the love of his life? Big Eden, nominated for and winner of the ‘Best Feature’ Award at several film festivals, is an unapologetically and refreshingly positive film and not to be missed.”

If you have viewed this film, what are your opinions about it?

Big Eden is just such a refreshing film. It's one of the few I actually rewatch every few years. I like how it ends on a positive note rather than ending with the gay characters dead at the end. It's far too common for one or both lovers to die (by AIDS or hate crime).

Another plus is that the film is fairly diverse. I think that LGB films often seem racist and misogynistic due to not including people of color and complex women as characters. Big Eden has an inter-racial couple in the lead since Pike is Native American. As for complex characters, female or otherwise, not so much. The character development is a little lacking...but not so much that it hinders enjoyment or the receipt of the message: the importance of love, family, and community.

I don't watch Hollywood blockbusters and think, "That superhero film really made me think about the importance of acceptance and community." They just don't have the same heart. It's that heart that keeps me rewatching Big Eden.

Edit: If anyone is wanting to watch the film, go to PRIMEWIRE. Or buy it.... Then come back and comment!