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Grady Harp wrote on 06/09/2011:

A Refreshing, New Angle for Love Stories
Grady Harp (Los Angeles, CA United States)

LATTER DAYS is a classy little film that holds its own among the light love stories out today. And yet it is more: some unique phobias and prejudices are examined very genuinely and the result is a movie that gives us not only characters about whom we care but enlightens us as to both sides of an ongoing issue: homophobia.
Bright, crisp writing and directing by C. Jay Cox, LATTER DAYS presents a tale of a West Hollywood effervescent young man who plays the bar scene and one night stands joie de vivre to the hilt. Christian (Wes Ramsey) lives in a bungalow apartment setting with his roommate Traci (Amber Benson) who is a singer (and a fine one!). Into their rather wild life atmosphere enters a group of Mormon missionaries, out from Utah to spend their requisite two years converting the world to the Church of the Latter Day Saints. All but one are homophobic, redneck types, but one of them, Aaron (Steve Sandvoss), is a closet case gay man. Julie and Christian establish a bet about Christian's able to seduce Aaron and the games begin. The courtship is actually mutual and once the two have been together it is Aaron who feels the anguish and Christian who re-examines his motives and feelings. The rest of the story is tender, deals with many interpersonal issues not at all restricted to the gay world, and revealing the ending would be unfair to the complete enjoyment that this movie offers. Suffice it to say that the cast is excellent and includes wonderful roles as Jacqueline Bissett as owner of the bar/restaurant were Christian works, and Mary Kay Place as Aaron's died-in-the-wool Mormon mother. The pacing is brisk, the acting is top notch, the cinematography is first rate, and the music score is well integrated. But the overall reason to see this film (and see it again) is the sophisticated manner in which C. Jay Cox explores one set of religious issues in the complex pattern of same sex relationships. This is an intelligent, funny, tender, and inspiring movie. Recommended.

Grady Harp

Amos Lassen wrote on 02/19/2011:

“LATTER DAYS”
Deservedly Welcome
Amos Lassen
Several people have asked for my opinion of a film that has become somewhat of a modern gay classic film and one of the bestselling gay films of these times. No I am not talking about “Brokeback Mountain” which I shall eventually get around to. The movie is “Latter Days (TLA Releasing). It is a beautiful little movie and deserves all of the accolades heaped upon it. It is provocative and touches some of the more serious issues of life today and for that alone it is worthwhile. But it also has an engaging story and good looking actors who manage decent performances even if it is a bit contrived. If the viewer sticks with the film, there are rewards to be won by watching it.
Lately gay life seems to be quite concerned about religion and “Latter Days” deals with that issue. Nineteen year Mormon missionary, Aaron, leaves his home in rural Idaho to go to Los Angeles and almost immediately meet up with their nemesis, an obviously gay neighbor named of all things, Christian. Aaron suddenly feels an immediate physical attraction which he channels into evangelicalistic zeal while at the same time Christian bets his neighbors that he will bed one of the Mormons. However it is not so easy a situation. If Aaron shows any tinge of homosexuality, he will be excommunicated from his religion.
I am sure that many of you are not aware that the story is a clothed autobiography of the director/screenwriter. He certainly knows what he is doing, especially when he touches on the issues of racism, sexuality and gender as they are looked upon by the Church of Latter Day Saints. Everything comes together when the characters in the movie begin their quests for the meaning of life. Cox, the director, skillfully presents this as sincere and it all reaches an intriguing conclusion that is admittedly convenient.
The movie brings an authentic and funny as well as moving movie. For two beginners, the acting was A-one and there are times when the movie is magic. What else will make you sit u and take notice? I think the main thing that “Latter Days” does is making sure that it is not another tired and worn-out. Even while using some of the old devices of romantic-drama—accidental meeting, the results of a bet, gay man hits on straight guy, it rises above the level of cliché.
The action takes place in Los Angeles and the two central characters appear to be as different as day and night. Yet somehow together, the buys mesh those differences and are able to strike up a sincere yet awkward friendship. When they eventually kiss and Aaron is caught by the three other Mormons who are with him, he is sent home to face the consequences.-excommunication and rejection by his family.
Even though the script writing is mediocre and the characters are stereotypical, we are able to rise above the mundane and the movie reaches a beautiful conclusion.
This is such a satisfying film that even if I could find something non-complimentary to say, it would be swallowed up by the good in the movie. We need more movies like this that deal with the way we live now. “Latter Days” is a wonderful addition to the world of gay cinema and we should be so proud to have this movie in our corner.

lee wrote on 09/09/2010:

Love both of them! Wish one of them would be my bf!

Jeepster wrote on 07/24/2010:

Latter Days is stunning and amazing...this is a mainstream quality movie...portrays the average gay man as a real person...not some flaming fairy.

dangerousman wrote on 05/06/2010:

This is a great movie. What started out as a fun and harmless bet turned into a great love story. I am not the one who is always rooting for love, but they had me on there cheer squad.