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Big Eden
Jour de Fête Films


9.4

based on 19 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

based on 10 votes
Read user comments
Rate this movie

FILM:

The Family Stone

MPAA RATING: PG-13 for some mature thematic material

Starring Arye Gross, Eric Schweig, Tim DeKay, George Coe, Louise Fletcher, and Nan Martin

Although it's been years since he was back, Henry Hart, a successful but lonely New York artist, returns to Big Eden, Montana, the town of his childhood, to care for the ailing grandfather who raised him. This uniquely American fable about home and family 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. (Jour de Fête Films)

GENRE(S):	Romance
WRITTEN BY:	Thomas Bezucha
DIRECTED BY:	Thomas Bezucha
RELEASE DATE:	DVD: April 30, 2002 Video: April 30, 2002 Theatrical: June 1, 2001
RUNNING TIME:	118 minutes, Color
ORIGIN:	USA

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

New Times (L.A.) David Ehrenstein

Has all the crowd-pleasing elements moviegoers respond to: appealing hero, absorbing story, a solid group of supporting players and a big fat happy ending.

Washington Post Rita Kempley

The key to success: The audience must really like both characters and believe that they deserve a fairy-tale ending. That's definitely the case in this nicely acted love story.

Mr. Showbiz Kevin Maynard

Dares to substitute wit and warmth for the standard gay indie tropes in tackling its tale of an unconventional couple.

Boston Globe Scott Heller

It's a refreshing alternative to hipper-than-thou moviemaking.

San Francisco Chronicle Carla Meyer

It's unlikely that the whole cowboy town would really applaud all the queer goings-on, but it's a lovely sentiment in a lovely movie.

New York Post Jonathan Foreman

But it's more than a crowd-pleaser shot at spectacular Rocky mountain locations -- it's almost revolutionary.

Chicago Reader Lisa Alspector

Funny, moving, and insightful look at questions about identity and community.

Los Angeles Times Kevin Thomas

An accomplished heart-tugger, a serious romantic comedy that tackles two dilemmas with honesty and compassion.

LA Weekly Paul Malcolm

A rosy, hearthside fantasy of acceptance that's so assured in its writing and direction, it's nearly impossible not to believe.

Portland Oregonian Kim Morgan

Entertaining, well-acted and hopeful about a world in which sexual orientation isn't a big deal, Big Eden is a pretty picture -- it just tends to be a little too perfect and cute for its own good.

Seattle Post-Intelligencer Paula Nechak

Writer and first-time director Thomas Bezucha certainly knows how to create warmth, ambience and situation.

New York Daily News Elizabeth Weitzman

Director Bezucha's eyes are as starry as Montana's sky, but it's pretty hard to resist such a determinedly utopian vision of love.

Film.com Robert Horton

Little of this is plausible, but it is beguiling.

Philadelphia Inquirer Steven Rea

Too cute by half (or maybe three-quarters).

Chicago Tribune Michael Wilmington

By creating a kind of politically correct version of Andy Griffith's "Mayberry," director Bezucha has drained the movie not only of bigotry but also of dramatic conflict.

Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert

Until the plot becomes intolerably cornball, there's charm in the story.

Austin Chronicle Marrit Ingman

Yet as wonderful as it is to see a breezy, earnest romantic comedy that is so matter-of-factly gay-themed, Big Eden suffers somewhat, unsurprisingly, from some of the usual perils of a breezy, earnest romantic comedy.

The New York Times Dave Kehr

The movie is as flat and plain as a television program, and most of the supporting characters (including Louise Fletcher as a kindly schoolmarm) seem equally two-dimensional, as if they had wandered in from the set of "The Andy Griffith Show."

Village Voice Mark Holcomb

Stupefyingly benign.

The average user rating for this movie is 9.4 (out of 10) based on 10 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Harry H. gave it a 10:
Excellent.

Earl M. gave it a 10:
It's refreshing to see a gay-themed romantic comedy handled with such all-around grace and care. It has everything; the writer/director and incredible character actors combine both drama, a little mystery and good 'ole cornball comedy to examine some complex problems that affect all of us today. Bravo to all involved. Now where is my commission check.. (just kidding).

Siu Wai S. gave it a 9:
Stunning scenery, full of charm. Yes, it's a feel-good fantasy, but the people are so lovable, especially Eric Schweig as shy, gentle Pike, the story is irresistible!

Rea C. gave it a 7:
Very formula, but it works.

Ira R. gave it a 9:
I'd hate to think how the ending would have turned out if Henry, et al had switched towns with Brandon Teena. I still felt that this fanciful tale of requited and unrequited love was beautifully told.

Van S. gave it a 9:
Forget what these folks are saying. Just go see the darn movie! Maybe I am just a pollyana and enjoyed "sugary-sweet fantasy," but movies can be picked apart endlessly! I can't believe some of the reviews I have read!! Am I watching a different cut? I think it is a wonderful movie about modern romance between modern, jaded people. It just happens that the main charcters are men. It wasn't "pro-gay" or any of that other crap. It touted the bonds of what it means to be family. Anything else is a lot of B.S. as far as I am concerned.

Big Eden Jour de Fête Films

Big Eden
Jour de Fête Films