Editor Reviews:

Description:
Huge festival and theatrical hit, Latter Days is the story of 19-year-old Elder Aaron Davis, a sexually confused Mormon missionary who moves into an apartment complex in West Hollywood with a fellow group of missionaries. There he meets a neighbor, Christian, who, on a bet, tries to seduce him. When Christian exposes Davis' secret desire, Davis rejects Christian for being shallow and empty. As each boy's reality is shattered, the two are drawn into a passionate romance that risks destroying their lives. Audiences, young and old and straight and gay, have been moved to tears by this beautiful story of the transformational power of love and family.

Amazon.com:
Christian (Wes Ramsey of the washboard abs) is a waiter, party boy, and first-class man magnet. Elder Aaron Davis (Steve Sandvoss of the goofy grin) is a straight-laced Mormon missionary. When he and three elders, including the uptight Ryder (Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Mysterious Skin), move into Christian's Hollywood apartment complex, it's clear something's got to give. Christian tries to make his new neighbors feel welcome, but they're put off by his flamboyance--the short-shorts, the rainbow flag in his yard, etc. When Christian's trash-talking pals at Lila's restaurant, including the cynical Traci (Amber Benson, Buffy the Vampire Slayer), bet that he can't seduce one of these clean-cut young men, he takes them up on it and sets his sights on cute, soft-spoken Aaron. As a pretense, he asks to learn more about his Church, but where they really connect is over their love of old movies, everything from Psycho to Tommy. When Aaron accuses him of being shallow, however, Christian starts to wonder if the bet wasn't such a good idea--plus he's starting to fall for the guy. Turns out the closeted Aaron feels the same way about him, but when his roommates find out, he's shipped back to Pocatello where he faces excommunication. Written and directed by C. Jay Cox (Sweet Home Alabama), a former Mormon missionary, Latter Days features Mary Kay Place as Aaron's disapproving mother and Jacqueline Bisset as the acerbic, yet supportive Lila. --Kathleen C. Fennessy

Rating : - Totally worth the purchase
To be honest, I bought "Latter Days" on a bit of an impulse. I have found that I enjoy a lot of the movies that are coming out of Gay-focus film-making (no pun or condescension intended)... there's something about the way the stories are told, about the passion of the actors involved. And something about this movie appealed.

Well, it was worth taking a chance on.

The actors are completely believable in their roles; especially Steve Sandvoss as Aaron and Wes Ramsey as Christian. They are the heart of the film and without the truth that they bring to their performances this film could very easily have been a cheesy affair. I found myself caught up in their interactions, hoping for a 'fairytale' ending to some very heartbreaking reality. The supporting cast are also very good, regardless of the size of their role. I've been a fan of Joseph Gordon-Levitt since "3rd Rock" and his turn here as Elder Paul just confirms for me that there are no small parts.

"Latter Days" deals with an issue that I wish was no longer relevant, that of the fear of exposure/rejection experienced by those whose sexuality doesn't fit with the expectations/beliefs of their family/society/religion. And it does it without resorting to over-the-top melodrama, instead delivering a thoughtful, thought-provoking, and endearing story of what is really important and true in life.

On a more technical note, this movie is well-filmed and clearly had high production standards. I'd say more but it's not really my thing. :o)

This is a movie that I'll be watching more than once and keeping in my DVD library.