When Thomas Bezucha’s Big Eden was first released in 2000 (five years before the Northwestern-set Brokeback Mountain and two years after the Wyoming murder of Matthew Shepard), the gay rural love story set in the fictional town of Big Eden, Montana earned best film awards at Outfest, Frameline and other LGBT film festivals as well as being nominated for a GLAAD Media Award. At that time it was known as the most honored film in the history of gay and lesbian film festivals. Big Eden has since gone on to secure a steady home on most Top 100 gay film lists and it is finally being released on Blu-ray for its 15th anniversary in October.
While even Roger Ebert noted the film’s implausible premise that a community of small-town characters could be so heartwarmingly pro-gay, writer-director Bezucha struck the perfect chord of wish fulfillment as thirty-something closet case Henry (played by the charmingly average Arye Gross) revisits his hometown and comes up against his straight high school crush Dean (played by Matt Bomer‘s hunky White Collar co-star Tim DeKay) and possible new love interest Pike (the terrific Eric Schweig, who won the Best Actor award at Outfest for his performance).
This fresh new HD version of the trailer above looks terrific. The Blu-ray is coming from Wolfe Video on October 13th just two days after National Coming Out Day.
Danny Ray
This movie was so amazing! Even the food in the film looked delicious to eat! That’s why I watch it every ‘Thanksgiving’! It’s also the perfect date movie–too!!! Love the kiss at the end!!!
Xzamilio
Wow… I am such a freaking noob. How have I never heard of this movie?
SportGuy
I love this movie! I need to watch it again.
Dan Weitendorf
A tender, sweet movie….
Daniel MacLeay
A wonderful, affirming film.
McShane
Eric Schweig is fine as hell in Big Eden. That man has aged so incredibly well, it’s not even funny.
Kevin Elsasser
One of my favorites!
Glücklich
I had such a case of the hots for Arye Gross.
Dale Agnew
Great
Bruce Campbell
I still like watching this movie
Todd Hamilton
I’m reading the back of the dvd case and it says ” Big Eden is a tiny town tucked away in the timberland of Northwestern MONTANA “
Richard DeKnock
It was set and filmed in Montana near Glacier National Park.
jwtraveler
@Xzamilio: It’s a really stupid story, but the Indian in the film (left in the video still) is so sweet and adorable that no one could resist falling in love with him.
petensfo
Loved this movie!!! Still do & can’t wait to buy it.
The soundtrack on this film is also really terrific but was never released on a CD.
Billy Budd
I didnt like this movie. I watched it many many years ago. I would never fall in love with the Indian, no matter how nice he behaved.
Mark Powledge
Great movie but was set in Montana not Wyoming.
Tony Chaplinski
way ahead of it’s time and a descent movie to boot
Perry Morehouse
First time I saw Tim Dekay. Loved him in this movie. Great in White Collar!
Ron Brasher
I loved this movie! Native Americans were the original open minded people!
martinbakman
I just picked up the 2 disc collectors edition. Love this movie.
Stephen Scott
I also love the environment created in the movie where it’s about relationships and the fact it’s gay doesn’t matter.
Also, in the boys meeting organized by Mrs. Thayer, most of the guys were local MT cowboys and weren’t gay in real life.
Tobi
@Xzamilio: +1, never heard of it, where was I or what was I taking?!
Matt Swickard
Such a great film:)
tdh1980
I remember being thoroughly enchanted by the sweet yet implausible story of this film after stumbling upon it by way of channel-surfing one day many years ago. Gross, Schweig, and DeKay all are good and each is sexy/cute in his own way.
Mykaels
My second favoritist gay move ever!!!!!
James Jobe
Yes! I love this film as well !!
Gary Mattox
love this movie
Ivan Mora
Usually gay movies are so bad (acting, story line etc.) but I still love them. I have not seen this one but it’s coming.
Billy Budd
The plot is too absurd. I don’t like it.
Billy Budd
It is not realistic. It is like a disney movie made exclusively for gays.
Wolfe Video
Thanks for all the love for Big Eden. You can pre-order the new Blu-ray edition now to get it direct from Wolfe approximately two weeks prior to the October 13th streetdate. https://www.wolfevideo.com/products/big-eden/
Hal-James Pederson
It’s alos very sweet – it’s not in your face.
haringfan1
A charming little film with a terrific cast that one can watch over and over again and never tire of. In particular Eric Schweig as “Pike” is freakin’, adorable and offers a memorable performance. Available on on DVD/Blu-ray – you won’t be sorry.
Yuri San
i’ve watched it and it was so nice & meaningful.
Xzamilio
@Tobi: I mean, do you know how many times I was hoping that Matt Bomer and Tim DeKay would kiss or fool around on White Collar? And now knowing DeKay is down on playing gay??? Ryan Murphy, if you’re trolling this site, make it happen… money’s no object!!!
Xzamilio
@jwtraveler: And I had just made a comment about showing gay Native Americans more. He had me from the trailer…
Dakotahgeo
FANtastic movie! Ordering my copy NOW!!!