Big Eden and Jeffrey

Today I watched two films that were suggested to me by my friend Michael.  

The first was big Eden, which is about a New York City artist from a small town.  Arye Gross plays Henry Hart, the artist, who travels home when his Grandfather and only living relative has suffered a stroke.  While staying with his Grandfather, Henry discovers that his childhood friend, Dean Stewart (Tim DeKay) has also returned home with his two children.  As the story progresses Henry's old feelings for Dean are brought back to the surface.  Things get complicated as Henry and Dean realize that the relationship they both want to happen simply cannot.  Not to worry, the story still has a happy ending as Pike Dexter (Eric Shweig), the owner of the local general store has been harboring secret feelings for Henry, which he expresses through his healthy and tasty meals, which he has been delivering to Henry and his Grandfather.

I thought this story was touching and I enjoyed watching it; however, I feel they could have resolved a conflict between Dean and Henry.  There is a scene in the film where Dean simply states that he cannot, but it wasn't ever really clear why.  We do know that Dean is straight, which definitely complicates any possible romantic relationship.  We also know that Dean definitely is interested in trying to have a romantic relationship with Henry as he tries to kiss him multiple times.  Perhaps they are having as difficult a time as I am explaining this.  While Dean loves Henry, the love he has for him is on a much deeper level.  He wants to be everything that Henry wants and would like to have the intimate relationship; however at the same time he knows that he cannot be everything that Henry has been searching for because of his sexuality.

Jeffrey is about a gay man, Jeffrey (Steven Weber: Wings), living in New York who really likes to have sex.  He describes sex, as many of us would, as a gift from god.  Jeffrey's problem is that the AIDS epidemic has just reached scare level 10.  What I mean is that the AIDS virus was still not fully understood; there were a lot of misconceptions, misinformation, and the treatments were not as advanced as they are today.  That said, many people in the film were frightened about having sex and contracting the virus, Jeffrey included.  Fear is what makes him decided to become celibate; soon after he meets Steve (Michael T Weiss: JAG), a HIV positive man.  The rest of the show is a mega celeb cameo fest where Jeffrey lets his fear paralyze him from living his life and allowing himself to fall in love with Steve, let alone anyone.  Patrick Stewart did an amazing job in his role as Sterling, a "fopish" interior designer.  I would recommend Jeffery to anyone interested in seeing a cute gay romantic comedy

As of yet, the films I have viewed and reviewed have featured gay men in the lead roles, not to worry my lesbian sisters, I promise that I will be reviewing a lesbian films shortly.