The WOW Report

  • WOW Report
  • About
  • RuPaul’s Drag Race Live!
  • WOW Presents Plus
  • What to Watch
  • Store
You are here: Home / Entertainment / #LGBTQMustWatch: “Big Eden”

#LGBTQMustWatch: “Big Eden”

By Stephen Rutledge on April 27, 2017 4:05 am

Five years before the landmark Brokeback Mountain, there was a little film that was that more famous movie’s flip side. Big Eden (2000), written and directed by openly gay filmmaker Thomas Bezucha, is an especially lovely, charming film fantasy. It takes on themes of friendship, love and gayness seen through a prism of highly idealized tolerance, acceptance, kindness, humor and tenderness.

Big Eden was a breakthrough film. At last, here was a project that depicted gay men of all shapes, sizes, and ages navigating the treacherous waters of love just like anyone else. It has no overwhelming tragedy and it avoided stereotypes without sidestepping its gayness.

When it was first released, before streaming, it flew under the radar of most LGBTQ film fans, and that’s a shame. It was noticed though; Big Eden did win awards at Gay and Lesbian film festivals: LA Outfest Audience Award, San Francisco International Lesbian & Gay Film Festival Audience Award, and Seattle Lesbian & Gay Film Festival Audience Award, and it was nominated for Best Film at the 2002 GLAAD Media Awards.

The film stars my friend Arye Gross as Henry Hart, a successful, but lonely gay artist who is reluctant to leave NYC and the life he has made for himself, but who returns to Big Eden, his small town in Montana, to take care of his grandfather. Henry is welcomed back by the citizens of his town, all of whom are aware that he is gay and are somehow accepting and supportive of him.  The first time I saw it, I kept waiting for that moment of implied violence, but the film’s plot and dialogue are notably missing any homophobia. Henry is forced to confront his unresolved feelings for his childhood friend Dean, played by Tim DeKay, Matt Bomer’s sexy con artist partner on White Collar (2009-2014), while simultaneously beginning to fall in love with Pike Dexter, portrayed by handsome, tall Canadian actor Eric Schweig, the painfully, adorably shy Native-American owner of the town’s general store who has a longtime unrequited crush on Henry.

Big Eden is populated by a bunch of busybodies, blue-haired old ladies, and cowboy hat-wearing, porch-sitting men, and they all spend the entire film conspiring to help Pike, the only person in town who’s not white (there’s not a negative stereotype or joke in sight) get together with Henry.

Also in the cast: Louise Fletcher as Henry’s aunt, and George Coe as the grandfather.

I am not going to recount the plot, although it has a smart, knowing screenplay, instead I urge you to watch and just enjoy a first-rate gay-themed film that is not hyper-sexualized or over-the-top; that’s not an intense drama centered around characters dealing with coming out of the closet or thinking of suicide or dealing with HIV.

It’s a totally unrealistic love story, but it is also kind of magical, and we could all use a little magic in these especially cynical times, right? Sometimes, we all just need a little sweetness in our lives. Big Eden is filmed on location in Montana and the vistas are breathtaking. Oh, it features a terrific Country Music soundtrack too.

 

The love and support that every inhabitant of Big Eden share with other community members reminds us that family, friendship, love, and especially the acceptance of others, transcend generations, cultures and sexuality. The tolerance and benevolence in Big Eden unfortunately do not exist in reality, but making them as believable and beautiful on the screen, Bezucha really makes you wish to become a better human being. Watch it on a rainy night at home with a big bottle of robust red. It’s currently available in Netflix.

Show the love:

  • Tweet
  • Share on Tumblr

Filed Under: Entertainment, Gay, Hot Guys, LBGTQ, Misc, Movies

More

ABBA! Nick Offerman! Murray Bartlett! David Bowie! The WOW Report for Radio Andy!

ABBA! Nick Offerman! Murray Bartlett! David Bowie! The WOW Report for Radio Andy!

by Blake Jacobs on February 3, 2023 11:00 am

Adam Joseph Reimagines Loosey LaDuca’s Talent Show Track “Let Loose”- Listen

Adam Joseph Reimagines Loosey LaDuca’s Talent Show Track “Let Loose”- Listen

by Paisley Dalton on January 31, 2023 9:28 am

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Trending


#TikTokTrend: Madonna Dancing to Gaga’s ‘Bloody Mary’ Has Fans Kinda Freaking TF Out –Watch

Robert Fux, Farao Groth & Kayo Are Sashaying to the ‘Drag Race Sverige’ Judging Panel

Monét X Change & Bob the Drag Queen Launch New Line, BOMO Beauty

The LOOK George Santos Gives After Being Asked “Who Do You Think Will Win Drag Race..?” –Watch

#80ForBrady: Trixie Quizzes Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda, Sally Field & Rita Moreno –Watch

About

From the creators of The Eyes of Tammy Faye, Party Monster, Million Dollar Listing, RuPaul's Drag Race, I Am Britney Jean, Big Freedia, and more.

Schiaperrelli! Madonna! Tom Hanks! Kylies Minogue & Jenner! The WOW Report for Radio Andy
Madonna! Joanna Lumley! Edgar Allan Poe! Jennifers Lopez AND Coolidge! The WOW Report for Radio Andy!
Prince Harry! Jennifer Coolidge! M3GAN! Jordan Peele! Randy Joins Us for the WOW Report for Radio Andy!
Rest in Perfection Barbara Walters and Anita Pointer! The WOW Report for Radio Andy!
ONJ! QE2! Leslie Jordan! Our In Memoriam Episode for 2002 on The WOW Report for Radio Andy

© 2021 World of Wonder Productions, Inc | World of Wonder is a trademark of World of Wonder Productions, Inc | Privacy

Copyright © 2023 · News Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in