Latter Days

Good movie.

It still has some campy moments, and suffers some dialog problems like 99% of made-for-gay movies, but it's a major improvement over most gay sexploitation/soft porn movies.This movie was suggested by my twin brother (who is not biologically related to me). Knowing how campy and "gay" he can be, I judged this movie not by its merit, but by association. Shallow of me, but in Aaron (our Mormon protagonist) sort of way. I did buy it, however, and it's not money wasted. I guess I have to re-evaluate my twin brother.The movie started with this guy named Christian, who was your campy, sex-driven, party-going pretty boy. He lured a straight guy into bed with him..., and he wore jock strap under his skin-tight hot pants with lace enclosure (details count...). He is everything scandalous, and he flames.Later, we are introduced with this guy who is straight laced (on his shoes) and very religious. What does this guy and that flamboyant gay paradigm have in common? Nothing, except they are both gay.They eventually fell in love with each other.That's the movie's premise. Very cute. Never would work in real life (and I am still not convinced it would). However, it's how a movie unfolds that's central to the success of any movie. In term of structure, it has a fluffy happy opening, but ends with something that sinks one's heart. In a sense, it's a nice road trip of the heart.The cast includes Steve Sandvoss (plays Aaron, our Mormon boy) and Wesley Ramsey (plays Chris, our party boy). Wesley Ramsey really looks more Ryan Renolds than Will from Will and Grace, which is how the DVD cover art was able to deceive me. In any case, the Mormon boy, in my opinion, looks much better on my eyes. The smile is convincingly innocent, pure and adorable. You can almost ignore the fact he has a pretty good body to boost.Acting wise, Sandvoss also triumphed in that department (where did they find this guy?). We also have Joseph Gordon-Levitt (of Third Rock from the Sun fame), who was also excellent (but his lines was someone not very plausible, and his character lacked dimension; faults went to the script, not him). I have a feeling if the script were better, some of the characters would be more interesting. Instead, they were standard issues of cliche characters. The restaurant owner's characterization and/or acting was particularly bad.I don't know why the movie was shot in 60 frames/sec or some such. A standard 24 frames/sec would give it a more movie-like experience, instead of that home-made movie feel. It's not shot by a hand-held video cam (it was shot in digital). It does have some editing that's borderline on good amateur and mainstream professional quality. Nevertheless, the choice of reel was just... distracting.The story did flow. If I were to nitpick, it's really that I don't think Mormon boy's punishment by his church was cruel enough. Realistically, in his situation, everything should tumble down on him. I read it somewhere, in order to make a good tragedy, you'd have to be a sadist. Everything terrible must fall on the good character, and I did not see that happened on our cute and innocent Aaron. When his mother finally slapped him I felt, "it's about time."BTW, that scene was very nice. I think the director failed to shot the reaction shot of Aaron's face when he was slapped. I think that's the best performance coming from Sandvoss in this movie. It reminded me of someone I love dearly. That's a genuine cry of a man who could no longer cover up his true feeling.Anyways, one star for the movie itself, the rest of the three stars go to Steve Sandvoss. This movie will not pull it off if it wasn't saved by our absolutely adorable actor and his performance.

What a beautiful film - so moving, so romantic! This is now my 2nd favourite gay-themed movie (after "Maurice"). "Latter Days" is the story of 2 young men, Aaron and Christian (lovely names) who fall in love with each other against all odds. Aaron is a 19-year old Mormon Church trainee missionary from Idaho sent to LA for training. In LA, he and his fellow missionaries move in next door to the handsome playboy, Christian. Aaron and Christian are as different as night and day - Aaron is blond, serious and shy while the dark-haired Christian has a vibrant personality and a dress-sense that's as colorful as the rainbow. Despite the differences, their attraction to each other is evident from the moment they first meet. I really love the 2 characters, brilliantly played by Steve Sandvoss and Wes Ramsey. Both actors are incredibly good-looking and endearing to watch. Sandvoss' "Aaron" is so wholesome-looking (in the novel, his face is described as being like "...carved from soap - Ivory soap, 99.9% pure". You get the picture) and he has the handsomest nose and a great physique too! Ramsey's "Christian" is like a Calvin Klein (u/w) model - enough said.To continue with the story: Christian works in a restaurant owned by the elegant Lila (Jacqueline Bisset, who gets some of the best lines in the movie). When the pious Mormon guys move into his neighborhood, Christian accepts a bet from his friends that he will succeed in bedding one of the missionaries. Christian's target is Aaron and he tries to seduce Aaron but ends up falling hard for the guy instead. Aaron is a closeted gay - his church prohibits homosexuality and Aaron tries to devote his mind, soul and body to God and prayers, but meeting Christian just wreaks havoc with all his beliefs and efforts. When he is caught kissing Christian, Aaron is sent home in 'disgrace'. Christian chases after him, confesses his love and what follows after that is a most passionate love scene...Some of my favorite scenes:1) everytime A and C kiss.2) their love scene which begins with Aaron making the first move, pinning Christian against the wall and kissing him passionately...3) the heartbreaking scene in Aaron's home in Idaho after he is sent home. His disappointed mother who could not forgive him for being gay, asking him, "Is Christian the one?". Aaron, his eyes sad and far-away but his face radiant with joy at the mention of his lover's name, smiles and nods his head. His mother (screaming now): "What did he do to you?!" Aaron (still smiling and radiant): "He loved me."I love this film so much I've even done some "movie-making" of my own on the characters e.g.:1) will their relationship last? Yes! Christian will never let go of Aaron because there's not a chance he'll meet someone as beautiful (inside and out) as Aaron again. Both characters are good at heart and I can't see them ever hurting each other.2) It's difficult to imagine anyone hurting someone as good and beautiful as Aaron. But then his family did. Parents are always harder on their children, I guess.I was pleasantly surprised to find a copy of the novel (based on the screenplay) in my local bookstore as the movie is not released in our theatres (I had to get the DVD). Of course, I snapped it up immediately! Read the novel - there're extra scenes to enjoy and it tells you the exact moment Christian falls in love with Aaron.DVD, book - get both. You won't regret it!

I wanted to watch this film again immediately it had finished. It was funny and sad in equal amounts. I haven't cried watching a film in years but this one had me bawling towards the end.Steve Sandvoss plays the shy yet interested young man very well. Wes Ramsey too plays the shallow gay man on the scene and puls off the look. Great to see Jacqueline Bisset playing a good role again too.The film highlights a number of points which is that gay men are often more concerned about looks and that maybe we all do look towards the door for something better to come along.I recommend this film to everyone - although I guess if you are Mormon you may have to get through some barriers before seeing the merits of the film.Despite it's low budget this film shines out from a lot of mediocre releases from hollywood last year.

This film bowled me clean out. I haven't been moved so deeply by any film that I can remember. And I've watched it more times than any other - in spite of which it always remains fresh and vital. The actors, all of them, won my heart straight off - especially the two main ones. The theme of a committed believer and an out and out hedonist meeting, locking into, and ultimately healing one another, is a difficult one to tackle - but the success of the director has been phenomenal. The two boys 'convert' each other in a way: the hedonist sees, is mesmerised by, and in the end acquires the depth he sees in the other boy but so pointedly lacks himself; and the Mormon boy is propelled by love through his fears and then through the imprisoning mean-spiritedness and blindness of his parents' faith, to share in the vitality of his friend's love of life - without at all compromising his own integrity or his awareness of and commitment to the spiritual dimension. This clearly has been carved straight from the director's own life-experience.The interface between faith and homosexuality has seldom been explored in film, and never, in my experience, as gently, penetratingly and sensitively as in this film. If you are a believer of any sort, and also homosexual, you have almost certainly felt the isolation and coldness of rejection from both sides. This film will be God's special blessing to you - as much, I sincerely hope, as it has been, and is for me.

For a start,if you're (sadly)homophobic,don't watch. This story/film shows just how strong someone can be ... 2 men from different walks of life,..both Gay (1 openly and the other so far back in the closet he's left footprints in the snow in Narnia)....the "methods" of making his "straight" are horrendous ...there are some hilarious moments in this too,..high camp,yet soberingly upsetting. One of the best films I've seen in a long time ....takes some beating.

I loved this film I would recommend it...the storyline was interesting, moving & thought provoking...the two main characters were perfect for the parts & HOT!!! ;)..can't beat a bit of eye candy in a film...lol:D...The big love scene between them was beautifully filmed...& I loved the ending...some films i have watched...once is enough even if i enjoyed them but this is one film I would happily watch again...I already have :)...so if you love your gay romance then you would love this film...

This film will take you deep into gay romance and religion!! It’s a very powerful film! Worth the watch x