Big Eden (review)

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(from the DVD)

BIG EDEN is a uniquely American fable about home and family. It 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…

Thomas Bezucha’s debut feature as a writer and director is probably one of the finest films ever to deal with spirituality. Its central character, Henry Hart confronts mortality and searches for meaning in life and the yearning for romantic belonging. If you factor in Big Eden’s relatively small budget, crippling production demands and indie status, and it would seem a minor miracle that it even got made. But these things just add to its potent and enduring appeal. Did I forget to mention it’s central character is gay?

On DVD, Big Eden’s second disc contains some incredibly astute observations from cast and production crew, among them the assertion that the main character is not looking for love, but rather searching for a way of being. I thought that perfectly summed up my take on it. I know that some people have issues with the ideal/fantasy aspect of the film, but for me, that was part of its charm. Having learned that part of having a successful creative project involves creating a distinct universe in which your story takes place, I can’t help but commend Bezucha and company for taking the moral/spiritual high road and making Big Eden (the town) a little piece of the ideal world. A place the world should aspire to be more like.

Big Eden. Highly recommended. This is a film I turn to when I need to be reminded of all the good in the world.

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Bear Cub (Cachorro) Review

"A compassionate, life-affirming Spanish comedy-drama." - CSM

“Bear Cub” (Cachorro) is one of the first feature films to focus on the members of the “bear community” as its central characters. This delightful Spanish-language film was co-written by Salvador Garcia Ruiz and Miguel Albaladejo and directed by Albaladejo.

The main character is Pedro (José Luis García-Pérez), a stocky bear with a thriving dental practice. When his well-intentioned but irresponsible sister leaves Pedro in charge of her son while she goes on a thinly disguised drug run in India, she and her traveling companion are detained and imprisoned.

Unaccustomed to parenthood, Pedro soon adjusts to having his 9-year-old nephew Bernardo (David Castillo) around and the changes and sacrifices he must make in order to provide the boy with a good home. He also puts his sex life on hold, much to the dismay of his fun-loving group of friends. Bernardo, who is wise beyond his years, grows to love his uncle and their bond is strengthened by Bernardo’s mother’s lengthy incarceration.

But there is trouble in paradise when Dona Teresa (Empar Ferrer), Bernardo’s paternal grandmother who had been barred by from ever seeing him, appears on the scene and against everyone’s wishes, tries to gain custody of the Bernardo. It becomes painfully clear that she will stop at nothing to steer Bernardo in the right direction under her guidance.

“Bear Cub” is in Spanish with English subtitles, and is available on amazon.com in both its original 98 minute running-time form and the censored “theatrical” version clocking in at 95 minutes. Out of respect to the director’s vision, this site is promoting the unrated, uncensored version. Click the image above or below to purchase.

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