Review

Latter Days

Steven Sandvoss, Wes Ramsey. Director: C.Jay Cox

“So your church doesn’t like alcohol or homosexuals? Well I’m not joining. I couldn’t imagine heaven without both”

The usual public preconception of a gay-themed independent film is that of a low budget, poorly shot film that leaves you wondering after the film what it was about. Kinds of films that appeal to the culture buffs, but not much else.

Although never released into the box office, the quality of cinematography and profile of the actors could easily have put it there, if it wasn’t for the controversial subject matter that angered right-wing religious groups around America.

Latter Days is about the union of opposites… promiscuously gay (“I can suck the engine block through the tailpipe of a ’58 Chevy”) Christian, played by Wes Ramsey, gets new neighbours… four Mormon missionaries. The youngest of them, Elder Aaron Davis (played by Steve Sandross), becomes the target of the shallow Christian, who sees it fit to convert a missionary, rather than the other way around.
The director C.Jay Cox delves into his past to produce a startlingly accurate (apparently) account of life as a Mormon missionary, and the shame and humiliation directed at those seen to be homosexual. In an interview given to DNA Magazine, he clearly states his opinion on gays in the Mormon Church, particularly in light of the recent election. “The majority … believed that President Bush was doing a bad job, but were willing to overlook all that as long as they had a president who believed gay marriage was intolerable”. Like the film “Saved!”, this movie strikes a clear blow at the hypocracy of many organised religions, and especially that of the Mormons. It also gives a discernable poke at the gay stereotype that Christian portrays, i.e. the city party-boy, who’s work colleague remarks “Darling… you don’t have to be deep… you just have to be pretty”. According to Cox, the main characters are portrayals of his two stages in life… that of a closeted Mormon, and that of an out and promiscuous gay man.
The film touches on other interesting topics, such as the quest for spirituality, and the notion of fate. Although some of the symbolism was a little far-fetched and laboured in parts, it kept the plot together. For the dough-eyed viewer, the romance is as much uplifting as it is heart-wrenching. Notions of fate, and the transformational powers of love can soften even the cynical. The movie provides a hope for many of its intended audiences, especially those that question their sexuality, and those that search for a truth beyond the superficial.

The casting is absolutely brilliant. Nothing easier to attract an audience than use the most gorgeous actors possible, who intertwine in some of the most sensual and electric ways. The movie was given an “R” rating, not that it would matter much considering the controversial subject would never be aired in a mainstream cinema.

Overall, this movie was very enjoyable, and despite the “interesting” use of symbology in it, I found it an emotive yet upliftingly romantic flick with an obvious political target. It was condemned by the Mormon Church, who actively campaigned to have the film pulled from retail outlets around America. The film left me with an usually teary eye, and a renewed awareness of the hypocracy of the so-called “moral guidelines” set out by religious organisations.

The film can be found in good DVD retailers, some video rentals stores and online at Amazon. I would seriously recommend it… it is one of the most enjoyable pieces of gay literature or media that I’ve come across in some time.