Latter Days

For other meanings of "Latter Days", see Latter Days (disambiguation).
Latter Days

Theatrical release poster for Latter Days, showing Steve Sandvoss as missionary Aaron and Wes Ramsey as party boy Christian.

Theatrical release poster
Directed by C. Jay Cox
Produced by Jennifer Schaefer
Kirkland Tibbels
Written by C. Jay Cox
Starring Steve Sandvoss
Wes Ramsey
Rebekah Johnson
Jacqueline Bisset
Amber Benson
Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Rob McElhenney
Music by Eric Allaman
Cinematography Carl Bartels
Edited by John Keitel
Production
company
Funny Boy Films
Davis Entertainment Filmworks
Distributed by TLA Releasing
Release dates
  • July 10, 2003 (PIGLFF)
  • January 30, 2004 (US[1])
Running time
 108 minutes
Country United States
Language English
Budget $850,000[2]
Box office $834,685[1]

Latter Days is a 2003 American romantic comedy-drama film about a gay relationship between a closeted Mormon missionary and his openly gay neighbor. The film was written and directed by C. Jay Cox and stars Steve Sandvoss as the missionary, Aaron, and Wes Ramsey as the neighbor, Christian. Joseph Gordon-Levitt appears as Elder Ryder, and Rebekah Johnson as Julie Taylor. Mary Kay Place, Erik Palladino, Amber Benson, and Jacqueline Bisset have supporting roles.

Latter Days premiered at the Philadelphia International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival on July 10, 2003 and was released in various states of USA over the next 12 months. Later the film was released in a few other countries and shown at several gay film festivals. It was the first film to portray openly the clash between the principles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and homosexuality, and its exhibition in some U.S. states was controversial. Various religious groups demanded that the film be withdrawn from theaters and video stores under boycott threats.

The film was met with mixed reactions from film critics, but was popular with most film festival attendees. At the North American box office however, Latter Days only made $834,685, barely covering the production's costs with an estimated budget of $850,000. In 2004, freelance writer T. Fabris made Latter Days into a novel, which was published by Alyson Publications.

Plot

Elder Aaron Davis, a young Mormon from Pocatello, Idaho, is sent to Los Angeles with three other missionaries to spread the Mormon faith. They move into an apartment next to openly gay party boy Christian Markelli and his roommate Julie, an aspiring singer. Christian and Julie work as waiters at Lila's, a trendy restaurant owned by retired actress Lila Montagne.

Christian makes a bet with his co-workers that he can seduce one of the Mormons, and soon realizes that Aaron, the most inexperienced missionary, is a closeted homosexual. Aaron and Christian become acquainted after several encounters in the apartment complex. When Christian accidentally cuts himself on a metal hose reel and faints, Aaron helps him indoors and cleans his wound. Christian attempts to seduce Aaron, but the hesitant Mormon becomes upset by Christian's remark that sex "doesn't have to mean anything." Aaron accuses him of being shallow and walks out. Worried that Aaron is correct, Christian joins Project Angel Food, delivering meals to people with AIDS.

Aaron's fellow missionary, Paul Ryder, has a cycling accident. Returning to his apartment, a distraught Aaron encounters Christian, who tries to comfort him with a hug. Both men are overwhelmed by their feelings and end up kissing, failing to notice the return of Aaron's roommates. Aaron is sent home in disgrace, leading Christian to confront Ryder, who is angry that Christian corrupted Aaron for no reason. Christian admits that he initially just wanted to win a bet, but says "it's not about that" anymore. Recognizing Christian's distress, Ryder tells him that Aaron's flight has a five-hour layover in Salt Lake City.

Christian finds Aaron standing in the snow outside the airport terminal. Christian confesses his love, and despite his misgivings, Aaron admits his own feelings of love. With all flights canceled due to a snowstorm, Christian and Aaron spend an intimate night in a motel. When Christian awakes, he finds Aaron gone. Aaron's pocket watch, a family heirloom, has been left behind. Christian returns to Los Angeles. In Idaho, Aaron is excommunicated by the church elders, led by his own father, Farron, who is the stake president. Aaron is rejected by his father and scolded by his mother, who tells him that he needs to pray for forgiveness. When Aaron suggests that he might be gay, his mother slaps him. Overwhelmed by despair, Aaron attempts suicide. He is subsequently sent by his parents to a treatment facility to be cured of his homosexuality.

Christian is desperate to find Aaron and locates his home address and phone number. Aaron's mother informs him that "Thanks to you, my son took a razor to his wrists; thanks to you I have lost my son." Believing that Aaron is dead, Christian spends the next few days thinking continually about Aaron. Julie discovers an entry about Christian's feelings in his cellphone journal and uses it as the basis for her new song. Christian travels to the Davis home in Idaho, where he tearfully returns Aaron's watch to his mother. During an encounter with Julie, she hesitantly shows him her new video, which upsets Christian, realizing that part of the lyrics came from his personal journal without his consent. Julie tells Christian that she hoped something good would come from it.

In the treatment facility, Aaron hears a female voice singing and investigates. He discovers a music video playing on television, the song performed by Julie. The video prompts Aaron to return to Los Angeles in search of Christian. Upon arriving at Christian's apartment, Aaron is heartbroken when a stranger answers the door. Thinking that Christian has returned to his party boy ways and moved on, and having nowhere else to go, Aaron makes his way to Lila's restaurant, having befriended the owner while on missionary work after her life partner died. Christian, who happens to be working there, comes out to serve a plate and sees Aaron clearly shocking him. Christian is overjoyed to see Aaron alive, they reconcile and later celebrate Thanksgiving with Christian's co-workers. Lila tells everyone that, no matter what, they will always have "a place at my table, and a place in my heart".

Cast

Steve Sandvoss (Elder Aaron Davis in the film)
Jacqueline Bisset (Lila Montagne in the film)
Rob McElhenney portrays Elder Harmon

Themes

Cox has stated that the film is primarily about a love story between two characters.[4] There is also an exploration of religious attitudes towards homosexuality, and the dilemma of religious homosexuals, torn between who they are and what they believe. A non-fiction film with similar themes that has been contrasted with Latter Days is Trembling Before G-d.[5]

Cox has also said that there is a massive irony, both in the film and in real life, that a religion so focused on the family and its importance is ripping families apart through its teaching on homosexuality.[4] In fact, Cox believes one cannot be Mormon and gay.[6] Nevertheless, a major theme of Latter Days is that there is an underlying spirituality in the world that goes beyond the rituals and dogmas of religion.[7]

Production

Latter Days was written and directed by C. Jay Cox after the success of his previous screenplay, Sweet Home Alabama, gave him the financial resources and critical credit to write a more personal love story.[8] Cox based both characters – Christian and Aaron – on himself. He was raised as a Mormon and served a mission before coming out as gay, and had wondered what the two halves of himself would have said to each other if they had ever met.[6]

Latter Days was filmed in several locations in Los Angeles in 24 days on an estimated $850,000 budget.[2] After Cox had financed the search for initial backing, funding was acquired from private investors who wanted to see the film made. However producer Kirkland Tibbels still faced several bottlenecks, as financing the whole film remained difficult.[3] It was distributed through TLA Releasing, an independent film distributor, who picked it up through its partnership with production company Funny Boy Films, which specializes in gay-themed media.[9]

Despite coming from a Mormon background, Cox had to research details of the excommunication tribunal, which is held after Aaron is sent back to Idaho. Former Mormons told him about their experiences and provided Cox with "a pretty accurate representation, right down to the folding tables."[8] According to Cox experienced actress Jacqueline Bisset also added valuable suggestions for improvements to the story.[8]

Casting for the two main characters did not focus on their sexuality, but their ability "to show vulnerability".[8] In a behind-the-scenes commentary, Steve Sandvoss explains that he did not want to play his character as a gay character, and Wes Ramsey emphasizes that the love story aspect of the film to him was detached from the character's gender.[3] Due to several nude and kissing scenes, Latter Days was released unrated.[8]

Release

Latter Days premiered at the Philadelphia International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival on July 10, 2003. The audience enjoyed the film so much that they gave it a standing ovation.[3] When the cast came on stage, they received another standing ovation. The film had a similar reception both at OutFest a week later, and at the Palm Springs International Film Festival.[3][9] The film also screened at the Seattle and Washington film festivals before being released across the United States over the following 12 months. Later the film was released in several other countries and shown at numerous gay film festivals,[10] namely in Barcelona and Madrid (where it was also a popular pick)[11] and Mexico City.[12] Since its initial release it had received nine best film awards, as Cox mentioned in 2005 on a featurette included on the UK DVD.[3]

The film was banned by Madstone Theaters, an arthouse cinema chain with nine theaters across the country, which claimed it was "not up to [our] artistic quality."[3] The company was pressured with threatened boycotts and protests by conservative groups to withdraw their planned release.[9] At the North American box office, Latter Days made $834,685 from a maximum of 19 theaters.[1] As of January 2011, the film is the top-grossing film from its distributor TLA Releasing.[13]

Reception

Critical response

Critics' reviews have been mixed; film review website Rotten Tomatoes reported that 45% of critics gave the film positive write-ups, based upon a sample of 44 reviews, with an average score of 5.4/10.[14] Frank Scheck, reviewer for The Hollywood Reporter, wrote: "Cox's screenplay, while occasionally lapsing into the sort of clichés endemic to so many gay-themed films, generally treats its unusual subject matter with dignity and complexity."[15] Film critic Roger Ebert gave it two and a half stars out of four, declaring that the script was peopled from the "Stock Characters Store" and "the movie could have been (a) a gay love story, or (b) an attack on the Mormon Church, but is an awkward fit by trying to be (c) both at the same time".[16] Michael Wilmington of the Chicago Tribune commented "this movie is often as kitschy and artificial as ... 'Sweet Home Alabama'", another film written by Cox.[17]

Other reviewers were more favourable, such as Toronto Sun critic Liz Braun, who said Latter Days was "the most important gay male movie of the past few years."[5] Kevin Thomas of the Los Angeles Times commented: "At once romantic, earthy and socially critical, Latter Days is a dynamic film filled with humor and pathos."[18] Gary Booher, an editor for the LGBT Mormon organization Affirmation, said "It was so realistic that it was scary. I felt exposed as the particulars of my experience and of others I know was brazenly spread across the big screen for all to behold."[19]

Awards

Year Festival Award Category
200321. Los Angeles Lesbian and Gay Film FestivalAudience AwardOutstanding First Narrative Feature[20]
20039. Philadelphia International Gay & Lesbian Film FestivalAudience AwardBest Feature[21]
200313. Washington D.C. Gay & Lesbian Film FestivalAudience AwardBest Feature[22]
20038. Seattle Lesbian & Gay Film FestivalAudience AwardBest Narrative Feature[22]
200311. ImageOut Filmfestival - RochesterAudience AwardBest Independent Feature[20]
200314. Fresno Reel Pride Gay & Lesbian Film FestivalAudience AwardBest Feature Film[22]
200417. Connecticut Gay & Lesbian Film FestivalAudience AwardBest Feature Film[23]
200414. Toronto Inside Out Lesbian and Gay Film and Video FestivalAudience AwardBest Feature Film or Video[21]
2004Lesgaicinemad (Madrid Gay & Lesbian Film Festival)Audience AwardBest Feature Film[11]
2005Hong Kong Gay & Lesbian Film FestivalAudience AwardAudience Favorite[22]
2005Outtakes New Zealand Gay & Lesbian Film FestivalAudience AwardBest Feature[22]

Soundtrack

Eric Allaman scored the soundtrack to the film after shooting wrapped, and composed much of the score himself. Several scenes featuring the rapid passing of time, such as Christian's desperate search for Aaron at Salt Lake City Airport, were scored with techno style beats, and scenes with emotional content were given a more "ambient 'tronica feel."[3] A total of three songs were written by C. Jay Cox for Rebekah Johnson to sing: "More", "Another Beautiful Day", and "Tuesday 3:00 a.m.". Allaman was very impressed with Cox's musical ability, and both men composed more songs as background music.[3]

The official soundtrack album was released on October 26, 2004. Due to contractual reasons, Johnson did not appear on the album, and her character's songs were performed by Nita Whitaker instead.[3][24]

Novelization and other releases

In 2004, the Latter Days screenplay was adapted into a novel by freelance writer T. Fabris, which was published by Alyson Publications.[25][26] The book was faithful to the film, but added several extra scenes that explained confusing aspects of the film and gave more about the characters' backgrounds. For example, the reason Ryder tells Christian where to find Aaron is his own broken heart over a girl he fell in love with while on his mission training.[27] The novel also added dialogue that had been cut out of the film: finishing, for example Christian's cry – in the film – of "That's the hand I use to..." with "masturbate with."[28]

In France, Latter Days has been titled La Tentation d'Aaron ("The Temptation of Aaron"), and the DVD given a cover showing Aaron in a nude and suggestive pose. A new trailer was also released, which is considerably more sexual than the original.[29] In Italy, Latter Days is distributed by Fourlab. The film has also been titled "Inguaribili Romantici", shown on pay-TV on Sky Show in December 2006, and then released on DVD by Fourlab's gay-themed label "OutLoud!". The film is also available in an Italian-language-dubbed version.

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Latter Days (2004)". Box Office Mojo. Internet Movie Database. Retrieved January 28, 2011.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Latter Days (2003) - Box office / business IMDb.com. Retrieved November 16, 2006.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 3.9 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 Latter Days DVD behind-the-scenes featurette.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Cox, C. Jay -- Latter days. Killermoviereviews.com, (April 2, 2004). Retrieved December 16, 2006.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Braun, Liz. Love thy neighbor: Latter Days questions faith. Jam Showbiz, (August 16, 2004). Retrieved December 16, 2006.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Phillips, Rebecca. 'A Topic Deeply Buried'. Belief.net. (February 12, 2004). Retrieved October 12, 2006.
  7. ↑ Latter Days. Killermoviereviews.com, (December 12, 2006). Retrieved December 16, 2006.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 Szymanski, Mike. 'Latter Days' Director Gets Personal. Movies.zap2it.com (February 3, 2004). Retrieved January 29, 2011.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 National Theater chain says "NO" to latter days. MCN Press Release (January 20, 2004). Retrieved January 29, 2011.
  10. ↑ Release dates for Latter Days (2003). IMDb.com. Retrieved October 5, 2006.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Latter Days, Implicación y Los armarios de la dictadura, premiados por el público del LesGaiCineMad 2004 (November 11, 2004). Retrieved January 28, 2011. (Spanish)
  12. ↑ 2° Festival Internacional de Cine Gay en México en la UNAM. Retrieved January 29, 2011. (Spanish)
  13. ↑ "TLA Releasing All time Box Office Results". Box Office Mojo. Internet Movie Database. Retrieved January 29, 2011.
  14. ↑ "Latter Days (2003)". Rotten Tomatoes. IGN Entertainment, Inc. Retrieved August 8, 2008.
  15. ↑ Scheck, Frank. Latter Days. The Hollywood Reporter, (February 9, 2004). Retrieved January 29, 2011.
  16. ↑ Ebert, Roger. Latter Days. Originally published in Chicago Sun-Times, (February 13, 2004), Retrieved December 18, 2006.
  17. ↑ Wilmington, Michael. 'Latter Days' Chicago Tribune (February 11, 2004). Retrieved October 25, 2014.
  18. ↑ Thomas, Kevin. Latter Days: Party boy meets Mormon missionary. What happens next overwhelms them both. Los Angeles Times, (January 30, 2004). Retrieved January 29, 2011.
  19. ↑ Booher, Gary. "Latter Days" Is the Hit Movie at L.A. Outfest. Affirmation.org, (July 2003). Retrieved January 30, 2011.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 Latter Days awards, Internet Movie Database. Retrieved December 20, 2010.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 "TLA Releasing presents Latter Days" (PDF). TLA Releasing. p. 16. Retrieved February 2, 2011.
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 22.3 22.4 Latter Days festivals, Picture This! Entertainment. Retrieved February 2, 2011.
  23. ↑ OutFilmCT Schedule 2004, OutFilmCT. Retrieved February 19, 2011.
  24. ↑ Latter Days Soundtrack. Amazon.com. Retrieved November 16, 2006.
  25. ↑ Author Information: T. Fabris. IBList.com. Retrieved January 29, 2011.
  26. ↑ Latter Days: A novel, Amazon.com. Retrieved December 23, 2006.
  27. ↑ Cox, C. Jay and Fabris, T., Latter Days: A Novel, (Alyson Publications, 2004), ISBN 1-55583-868-5, p. 160.
  28. ↑ Latter Days: A Novel, (Alyson Publications, 2004), p. 176.
  29. ↑ Olsen, David. French Translators Spice Up "Latter Days":DVD is Released in France as "La Tentation d'Aaron". Affirmation.org, (April 2006). Retrieved January 29, 2011.

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