Themes: Small-Town Life, Unrequited Love, Looking For Love
Main Cast: Arye Gross, Eric Schweig, Louise Fletcher, George Coe
Release Year: 2000
Country: US
Run Time: 119 minutes
MPAA Rating: PG13
Plot
Arye Gross plays an up-and-coming artist who foregoes the convenience of big-city life for the charms of Montana in this drama, writer-director Thomas Bezucha's debut feature. On the eve of his first show at the Whitney Museum, Henry (Gross) hears news that his grandfather back home has had a stroke. Upon returning to his idyllic birthplace, however, Henry realizes that the old man isn't the only thing he has to tend to: There's the semi-closeted issue of his sexuality, which he longs to reveal to his clan -- as well as to his old high-school crush, Dean (Tim DeKay). Amidst all the angst, Henry fails to notice the advances of the sensitive Pike (Eric Schweig), an espresso-brewing outdoorsman who owns the town's general store and cooks meals for the stroke-addled grandpa Sam (George Coe). ~ Michael Hastings, All Movie Guide
Nan Martin - Widow Thayer; O'Neal Compton - Jim Soams; Corinne Bohrer - Anna Rudolph; Veanne Cox - Mary Margaret Bishop
Credit
Joe Warson - Art Director, David Bloch - Casting, Jeanine Rohn - First Assistant Director, Thomas Bezucha - Director, Andrew London - Editor, Brian Ross - Musical Direction/Supervision, Stephanie Carroll - Production Designer, Rob Sweeney - Cinematographer, Jennifer Chaiken - Producer, Randall Lawson - Sound/Sound Designer, Christopher Hogan - Sound Editor, Thomas Bezucha - Screenwriter, Anne Gordon - Animal Trainer/Wrangler
Big Eden (2000) is a gay-themed romantic drama film written and directed by Thomas Bezucha. It won awards from several gay and lesbian film festivals, and was nominated for best limited release film at the GLAAD Media Awards in 2002.
The film stars Arye Gross as Henry Hart, a successful gay artist from New York City who returns to his Montana hometown to care for his ailing grandfather. While at home, Henry is forced to confront his unresolved feelings for high school friend Dean Stewart (Tim DeKay), while simultaneously beginning to fall in love with Pike Dexter (Eric Schweig), the shy Native American owner of the town's general store. A central issue of the plot and dialogue is the notable lack of homophobia.
The movie was filmed in Montana, mostly in and near Glacier National Park. The schoolhouse is in West Glacier, and the Big Eden houses are on the shore of Lake McDonald. Pike's general store is a building located in Swan Lake, Montana.
Soundtrack
The film combines both classic and contemporary country songs, though there was no commercially released soundtrack. Tracks featured in the film are:
George Jones: "Don't Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes" (from the 1964 United Artits album 'The Race Is On')
Dwight Yoakum: "A Thousand Miles From Nowhere" (1993 Reprise/Warner Bros.)
In addition to these tracks that are or were commercially available, the film features two performances by a group called Railroad Earth. Actress Louise Fletcher also performs 'Take Me in Your Arms and Hold Me' which was originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1949. The film's original score was composed by Joseph Conlan.
Reception
The film received awards and nominations from a number of independent film festivals,[1] including a nomination for best limited release film at the GLAAD Media Awards in 2002.[1]
Awards
2000 L.A. Outfest: Audience Award - Outstanding Narrative Feature; Grand Jury Award - Outstanding Actor in a Feature Film: Eric Schweig
