The indie film "Big Eden"

[Auggie27]

Posted: 11/30/04 at 2:56pm

This movie has popped up in other threads at times, but since it's being reshown on Sundance repeatedly right now, I just wondered if there were any posters with opinions on it.

I have seen it twice. I get very caught up in the milieu, the beautiful Montana locale, the sweet people (no homophobes in this red state), the winning cast. And I get frustrated because I feel the central complications/crises get short-shrifted. In neither viewing did I fully grasp the exact problem of the straight high school friend, Dean. Who taunts and teases the protagonist, albeit kindly, and showers him repeatedly with knowing glances, even after revealing his buffed self at lakeside. I can't decide if this is a fresh spin on a 'type' -- the reluctant bisexual with a big heart -- or just a maddeningly underwritten role whose contradictions aren't sufficiently dramatized or accessible to make us care. He's straight but caring to such a maximum extent, he's borderline martyred to the cause. When the lead must turn him down for agreeing to "try again" at Thanksgiving, I just don't get it.

Anyway, it's a warm movie, and not the usual gay love story (I 'll take it over "All Over the Guy."). And the Native American closeted chef is a winning, totally original. I just wish the center of the plot held its ground more compellingly. If anyone can illuminate its intention and success, please share. I'll remain open-minded. Maybe it's just me. I would love to see something else from this writer director.

[bta212]

Posted: 11/30/04 at 3:05pm

I've got nothing to add--jsut wanted to say that you've hit all the nails on their various heads. I really enjoyed the movie--after holding my breath for about 30 minutes waiting for the gay-bashing to begin, I was pleasantly surprised to see it was not going there.
The whole thread about the straight guy goes nowhere--what's his deal, anyway?

Sweet story, good performances. Perhaps intended as a rebuke to the "gays are bad for traditional family values" lobby. Didn't know it was showing on Sundance; I'd love to see it again.

[robbiej]

Posted: 11/30/04 at 3:12pm

Ya know...I've never been able to get into this movie.

But on your recommendation, I'll give it another shot, Auggie.

As for ALL OVER THE GUY, I watched it again last night. I have to say that, though far from a perfect movie, I enjoyed quite a bit of it. Though I didn't feel that the gay couple at the center of the pic had a lot of chemistry (the actor playing Eli was riding a bizarre line between prissy queen and butching it up that just didn't seem to work), the performance of Richard Ruccolo was quite promising. I only knew him from that pizza place show, and was quite surprised at this performance. And I adore Sasha Alexander (who played his best friend...the one that gets pregnant w/ Adam Goldberg's baby).

[Unknown User]

Posted: 11/30/04 at 5:38pm

Unfortunately, add me to the list of those who just didn't click with this film - never emotionally pulled me in in the least.

[Auggie27]

Posted: 11/30/04 at 9:37pm

Yeah, RobbieJ, though I made a glib dis of "All Over...", whenever it's been in rerun cycles -- that surfing thing, when you can't move on -- I land there a while and watch. Yes, the lack of chemistry between the two men is its major liability, particularly because the lead is so asexual. (I don't personally mind prissy, if there's some sparkle and juice.) But yes, Ruccolo is particularly winning, and real--he just comes across like so many men everyone has met.

I find myself freshly haunted by "Eden...", perhaps in part because the rural setting and unique agoraphobic angst of the Native American character feel so refreshingly removed from the milieu/ types we see on TV. I almost forgive the dramaturgical lapses when I ponder the fresher elements. I dunno, the gentle ambiance and sustained climate of kindness shown by all -- maybe it's wishful thinking, but it's the country I want to live in. And I don't mean that as a political point -- more of a spiritual one.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 12/1/04 at 12:16am

I enjoyed this film. Nan Martin is DIVINE!

[Matt_G]

Posted: 12/1/04 at 12:47am

Oh my dear Lord. This one put me right to sleep. I've never seen such a boring gay film in my entire life. I read such raves about it that I didn't even bother to rent it, I just bought it when I found it for a good price. I watched it with my best friend and we were just looking at each other through the entire movie with that "HUH?" look on our face. After a while I started flipping through a magazine.

[Auggie27]

Posted: 12/1/04 at 7:59pm

Matt: Yes, you raise the crucial point I sidestepped. As sweet as it is the film is simly devoid of ... well, drama. Sweet only goes so far. There's no real conflict, no push/pull that builds much emotional suspense. Just the one confrontation with the straight buddy, with unclear issues half-expressed. I always find the "drama removing" approach to such screenwriting (and some playwriting) odd. As if the filmmakers were so afraid of melodrama -- and in this case, of exploiting components of typical gay fare (bitchy repartee, the sexual prowl, etc.) -- they went and pulled a 180. But with a protagonist who is as passive as this one, and frankly asexual, what did they expect audience investment to be in his plight? Well, there's a lavish website, and a whole board of fans, so what do I know? I have a friend on the west coast who kept telling me to take another look. I have, and I'm afraid it's only done a selling job on a Montana vacation -- not buying into this story, as kind and gentle as it plays.