Latter Days, the Movie
Have y'all seen this film about a young Mormon missionary and L.A. party boy who fall for each other but don't have an easy time? I just watched it.
It's a touching movie with engaging characters and more than enough angst, even for the seriously angst-addicted. And the love/sex scenes are truly beautiful -- some of the most visually and emotionally satisfying I've ever seen in gay cinema. I liked the storyline too, for the most part, because I've always been drawn to its two main themes: attraction between opposites and the influence of religion on people's lives.
But I had my moments of discontent.
The biggest came at the end. I found the plot's resolution very unsatisfying.
*SPOILER AHEAD*
Considering Christian believed Aaron to be D-E-A-D dead and had been plunged in deep mourning for a while, and taking into account all kinds of other stuff to boot, the young men's reunion required far more than a ten-second, wordless hug. It needed buildup; it needed the kind of substantive emotional content that's conveyed via facial expressions, tears, exclamations/questions/answers, an appropriate setting, and some really adroit editing. As it stands, the scene isn't only terse and flat but lacks believability.
*END BIG SPOILER*
My other beefs were relatively minor. The declaration of love came too quickly. It's possible -- and, I think, preferable -- to show characters developing a deep emotional bond without prematurely marching out the L word. And what was with that hideously medieval rehab facility designed to turn gay boys straight? While I know the CoJCoLDS has its own "reparative therapy" program, I seriously doubt 21st-century Mormons anywhere, even in Idaho, resort to the tactics depicted in this film.
I'll watch Latter Days again, though. It's certainly worth future viewings.
It's a touching movie with engaging characters and more than enough angst, even for the seriously angst-addicted. And the love/sex scenes are truly beautiful -- some of the most visually and emotionally satisfying I've ever seen in gay cinema. I liked the storyline too, for the most part, because I've always been drawn to its two main themes: attraction between opposites and the influence of religion on people's lives.
But I had my moments of discontent.
The biggest came at the end. I found the plot's resolution very unsatisfying.
*SPOILER AHEAD*
Considering Christian believed Aaron to be D-E-A-D dead and had been plunged in deep mourning for a while, and taking into account all kinds of other stuff to boot, the young men's reunion required far more than a ten-second, wordless hug. It needed buildup; it needed the kind of substantive emotional content that's conveyed via facial expressions, tears, exclamations/questions/answers, an appropriate setting, and some really adroit editing. As it stands, the scene isn't only terse and flat but lacks believability.
*END BIG SPOILER*
My other beefs were relatively minor. The declaration of love came too quickly. It's possible -- and, I think, preferable -- to show characters developing a deep emotional bond without prematurely marching out the L word. And what was with that hideously medieval rehab facility designed to turn gay boys straight? While I know the CoJCoLDS has its own "reparative therapy" program, I seriously doubt 21st-century Mormons anywhere, even in Idaho, resort to the tactics depicted in this film.
I'll watch Latter Days again, though. It's certainly worth future viewings.
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