While not a ground breaking gay romance like "Brokeback Mountain," "Latter Days" is an entertaining love story that is greatly enhanced by its talented boyish lead, Steve Sandvoss. When a group of Mormon missionaries move into the apartment complex where party boy Christian, played by Wes Ramsey, resides, Christian makes a bet with his restaurant co-workers that he can seduce one of the squeaky clean Elders. The plot unfolds predictably, but well.
However, the film strives to be more than a romance. Sandvoss's deeply closeted Aaron wants a meaningful relationship before he breaks his vows and becomes involved with a man, while the superficial Christian enjoys a life of anonymous one-night stands. Writer-director C. J. Cox handles Aaron's struggle with his Church and family better than Christian's search for a meaningful life. Aaron glows with a natural innocence and sincerity. His conflicts with Mormon teachings and his parents clearly torment him, and the self-realization and acceptance of his sexuality have evidently evolved over time. However, Christian is not as convincing, and his change of heart occurs too quickly for someone who has devoted his life to sex, discos, and clothes. Ramsey's soul searching seems as contrived as his ironic name. Meanwhile, Christian's employer has her own set of issues. As the secretive restaurant owner, the still-beautiful Jacqueline Bisset makes a welcome appearance and provides a nurturing mother figure that contrasts with Aaron's intolerant unforgiving mother, who is played by Mary Kay Place.
Whether or not the Mormon Church is as harsh as portrayed in the movie, the unyielding parents and church elders make ideal villains, especially for gay audiences who view religious extremism as the enemy of tolerance. However, the bigoted character played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt does not fit with the general image of Mormons. His Elder Paul is more violent, aggressive, and hostile than the polite, well-mannered missionaries who ring doorbells. Despite the small quibbles, "Latter Days" overcomes its deficiencies and pulls viewers into its core romance. Although the film's visuals are too slick, and the sets are lit like a television episode, the flaws fade as the story develops and viewers fall in love with both Aaron and Sandvoss.
However, the film strives to be more than a romance. Sandvoss's deeply closeted Aaron wants a meaningful relationship before he breaks his vows and becomes involved with a man, while the superficial Christian enjoys a life of anonymous one-night stands. Writer-director C. J. Cox handles Aaron's struggle with his Church and family better than Christian's search for a meaningful life. Aaron glows with a natural innocence and sincerity. His conflicts with Mormon teachings and his parents clearly torment him, and the self-realization and acceptance of his sexuality have evidently evolved over time. However, Christian is not as convincing, and his change of heart occurs too quickly for someone who has devoted his life to sex, discos, and clothes. Ramsey's soul searching seems as contrived as his ironic name. Meanwhile, Christian's employer has her own set of issues. As the secretive restaurant owner, the still-beautiful Jacqueline Bisset makes a welcome appearance and provides a nurturing mother figure that contrasts with Aaron's intolerant unforgiving mother, who is played by Mary Kay Place.
Whether or not the Mormon Church is as harsh as portrayed in the movie, the unyielding parents and church elders make ideal villains, especially for gay audiences who view religious extremism as the enemy of tolerance. However, the bigoted character played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt does not fit with the general image of Mormons. His Elder Paul is more violent, aggressive, and hostile than the polite, well-mannered missionaries who ring doorbells. Despite the small quibbles, "Latter Days" overcomes its deficiencies and pulls viewers into its core romance. Although the film's visuals are too slick, and the sets are lit like a television episode, the flaws fade as the story develops and viewers fall in love with both Aaron and Sandvoss.