NYC artist Henry Hart (Arye Gross) abandons his big Chelsea gallery opening at the Whitney Museum when he receives a phone call from Grace (Louise Fletcher) in Big Eden, a tiny town in Montana. Hart takes the next flight to Big Eden to care for his grandfather Sam (George Coe) who has suffered a stroke. Hart was raised in Big Eden by his grandfather. Complications arise when Dean Stewart (Tim DeKay), father of two and Hart's old flame enters the picture. Hart left Big Eden 20 years ago because of Dean, and his unrequited love is now stronger. But Pike Dexter (Eric Schweig), the shy Native American owner of the town's general store complicates this quirky gay love story further when Hart falls in love with him as well. Dexter also falls for Hart. Emotions surface on rare occasions, such as when Dean and Hart have a final Thanksgiving day face-off--in a closet.
Not only is there no sign of homophobia in Big Eden, but the locals seem obsessed with the progress of Henry's gay romantic life. The movie is talky and too mainstream in both style and storytelling for gay film fans who prefer stronger work. Filmed in Montana, mostly in and near Glacier National Park, it has a great soundtrack of country songs and incidental music composed by Joseph Conlan. Thomas Bezucha wrote the screenplay and directed.
