I don’t really care much for Brokeback Mountain. I had such high hopes for that movie. Being a big fan of Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal and an admirer of Ang Lee, I was sure I was going to watch a feast of a movie. I was wrong. The cinematography was brilliant as the trailer promised but I just failed to like the characters. I saw lust, obsession and possession. Yes, I did see some flicker of the love implied during some scenes, but that was it. I was disappointed. Frankly, I was bored too.
But then I stumbled upon the DVD of Latter Days and saw a really romantic, emotional and fun story.
BEWARE OF SPOILERS!!!
I mostly like Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s work- he has been the part of a wonderful cast in the sitcom 3rd Rock from the Sun- a show that made me laugh till my muscles hurt. I also watched as he can pull of difficult roles like a male hustler in Mysterious Skin and a guy whose past mistakes haunt him, in addition to having to cope with everyday life with severe short term memory lost in the film The Lookout. When I saw his name among the cast, I grabbed Latter Days. It turned out he only had a supporting role, which was just as interesting as his previous roles.
The main story takes place between Christian and Aaron; played respectively by Wes Ramsey and Steve Sandvoss. Christian is plainly and proudly gay and promiscuous. Aaron ,however, is a Mormon missionary. When the young missionaries take residence close to Chris, things get complicated. Confident that he can bag any guy (gay or straight) , gorgeous Chris makes a bet with his flat mate that he can have sex with Aaron in no time. Although starting to be infatuated with Chris, Aaron tries to hide his feelings. After all, homosexuality is considered to be one of the biggest sins and he likes his mission. He does believe in God and (most of ) “the book” ’s teachings.
While Chris is trying to seduce him (sometimes subtly and sometimes quite openly), the two develop a bond.
And it all goes downhill for our missionary when his friends catch them kissing…
Panicked, he decides to go home to his parents and confront whatever problems await him. But Chris, no longer caring about the bet and totally in love, goes after him. He catches up with Aaron at the airport, telling him that he loves him.
There in the middle of a snow storm, they share a second kiss-this time initiated by Aaron.
At the airport inn, the two have one of the most beautiful love-making seen on screen. I am saying love-making because I absolutely adore a sex scene that takes place after both characters have fallen madly in love with each other.
Of course conflicts continue for Aaron- he doesn’t want to give up on his family but they do see his feelings for Chris as some type of illness…When Chris wakes up alone, he has to go back to his life in Cali, upset and lovesick.
After going through all the “treatments” his parents make him, he sees a sign that he just should be with Chris.
The scene where they finally get back together is marvelous. But to catch all the beautiful scenes, please check the movie out.
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You are so right. Brokeback was a complete dissapointment for me. It was nothing but a story of two rampant guys. But Latter Days was a great movie. I loved it from the beginning to the end. I completely agree with you, I mean. In addition I advise you everybody to watch Shelter. It is also a great movie 🙂
this one is my all time favorite. =)
I discovered this movie from your blog. Never heard about it before probably because it’s a tv movie and it never arrived here. I noticed that a lot of controversial movies were made around 2003. Perhaps that was the real beginning of the fight against homosexual prejudice in cinema. I mean there were other gay movies but love was never described so openly, with clear sex between same sex characters, even on TV.
This movie is cute. Not a masterpiece at all but a tender story with physically cute actors. It would be better if over cuteness it would have more skillness. The lead actor wasn’t too bad (and really beautiful) but the mormon guy was a little gawky. I appreciated intentions and message. But of course nothing can beat Soldier’s Girl.
P.S. Wes Ramsey and Lee Pace: same Juilliard school of arts, almost in same year an uncomfortable break-through movie. Unfortunately (for one of them) talent is perhaps not the same, but none of them has so far seen the luck. Strange crossed destinies.
I loved the tenderness. I saw this movie after I had seen Brokeback Mountain at the cinema and I was so disappointed by it. But the premise of Latter Days intrigued me and I wanted to see what Joseph Gordon Levitt was up to. I made a habit of following his work, he never disappointed me. And even though his is a small role, it is important and he does get the message across. I have to say I fell in love with Wes’ beauty. His character was perhaps feminine in ways that could be called clichés but having met one just like him only yesterday (but naturally not that pretty), I can say the cliché fits.
You are right, it is by no means a masterpiece but I really like it. It is beautiful, sweet, sexy, innocent, painful and uplifting all at the same time. Of course it is not as effective as Soldier’s Girl but this one isn’t based on a tragic true story. I have to say Lee seems more talented but then again Wes never got to chance to show diversity. I should be Wes’ agent;)
I think Steve was just as nerdy and clumsy as his character was meant to be. The camera work seems amateurish but I suspect it was because they didn’t have much of a budget.
Yes of course Soldier’s Girl is a true tragedy and for that much more impressive, but above all the skills of actors is incomparable. Actors are the movie after all, because even if the script is wonderful without performers you can do nothing. You’re right about showing diversity, I never seen Wes in any other movie, but you have to remember that SG was Lee’s FIRST movie (I still can’t believe it!) and in my opinion he never was so gorgeous anymore. And about the budget I think that both movies were low, were tv movies. The difference is in the director. SG had an oscar winning director…
Oh Yes! Wes is really beautiful, in some close ups I was kind of hypnotized…beautiful/delicate face and elegant/sexy body and 6′ 2″ height. He got it all.
Yep. Did I forget to put Wes in my tall guys’ list? Bugger. Oh well, the sequel is in the works anyway.
Yeah, the director and actors of course do make a huge difference. Along with the script. But most often than not, more drama-if done- well- makes a much bigger impact than a lighter movie. Sure, the guy in Latter Days had a lot of issues with his parents and religion but we did get a happy ending after all.
Favorite Scene: Airport confrontation and then the Inn- right from the begining till after they fall asleep after sharing all that intimate talking/sharing. I loved the simplicity, innoncence and love of it all. Plus the love-making scene was shot really well. You know what? Deep down, I like Latter Days as much as Soldier’s Girl. Sure SG is a better, more professional movie. Not to mention it really blows your mind with the climax. But I have a weakness for happy endings…Sorry:)