I have to say right from the start, I'm biased with this film. I love gay dramas, gay comedies, gay romances, gay biopics, gay horrors....I just don't think there's enough of them out there. However, after seeing so many, I find myself coming back to some that I feel strongest about, and Latter Days is definitely one of them. It's takes a classic plot of opposites attracts, using the characters of Christian, a waiter with a passion for partying and men, and Aaron, a young Mormon missionary away from his family for the first time and struggling with his sexuality. When Christian takes a bet that he can seduce Aaron despite his vow of chastity and his church's stance on gay rights, it takes an imbecile not to work out where this is going. However, that is the fun with this film - it doesn't pretend to be a scathing expose of the church, or a moralistic tale about the dangers of living your life in clubs - it simply takes two characters who clearly have something missing in their lives, and tells us their story. At times, the dialogue can be a tad sticky and forced, and not being a believer, I do try to ignore the dollop of good-ol'-God on the side, but the charm of this film lies in it's heart and character. Joseph Gordon Levitt almost steals the show with his grating yet hilarious portrayal of a Mormon Elder, and Steve Sandvoss' quiet and anguished Aaron sticks in the viewer's memory for quite some time. If I had to be picky, the narrative comes a bit unstuck towards the end, but the feel good nature and the general loveliness of this film are irresistible. Don't watch this film with a critic's eye, watch because deep down....you know it feels good.
Review of Latter Days
