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| Latter Days (Unrated Edition) |
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List Price: $24.99
Buy New: $9.66
You Save: $15.33 (61%)
Buy New/Used from $9.66
Avg. Customer Rating:  (based on 270 reviews)
Sales Rank: 1688
Category: DVD
Actors: Steve Sandvoss, Wes Ramsey, Rebekah Johnson, Amber Benson, Khary Payton, Jacqueline Bisset, Joseph Gordon-levitt, Rob Mcelhenney, Dave Power, Erik Palladino, Mary Kay Place, Jim Ortlieb, Linda Pine, Bob Gray (vi), Judee Morton, Robert Lacroix, Terry Simpson, Brian Wade (ii), Kurt Hargan, Mik Scriba
Director: C. Jay Cox
Publisher: TLA Releasing
Studio: TLA Releasing
Manufacturer: TLA Releasing
Label: TLA Releasing
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Widescreen, Ntsc
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: Unrated
Media: DVD
Running Time: 107 minutes
Number Of Items: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.77:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
UPC: 807839000948
EAN: 0807839000948
ASIN: B0002I84JO
Release Date: September 7, 2004
Theatrical Release Date: 2003
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Editorial Reviews:
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
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.
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Customer Reviews: Read 265 more reviews...
 Latter Days July 15, 2006
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
I thought this movie was a well written love story. But after viewing the deleted scenes felt that I would have enjoyed it in an uncut version even more.
Touching, and realistic urban coming-out story July 10, 2006
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
Well acted, and believable plot. A bit of imagination is needed to follow the dream like scenario of the story line. A jaded GQ handsome young gay man named Christian makes a bet with his Hollywood type co-workers and roomate that he can seduce one of a group of young Mormon Missionaries who have just moved into this apartment bungalow rental complex. The object of his bet turns out to be Aaron, a sensitive introverted young Mormon. But Christian soons finds himself falling in love with Aaron, and after many plot twists, the two bond. Some cliches, for sure are involved, and the unrated version of the movie is definitely not for younger viewers.
Entertaining...a nice film June 19, 2006
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
The movie was recommended by a friend, and I was a bit reluctant to purchase the DVD afraid this might be another movie that struggles to make a point at the expense of good acting.
I couldnt have been more wrong. This is the story of Elder Aaron Davis, a Mormon missionary, played by Sandvoss in a loveable, warm, sincere manner. His facial expressions, his struggle to verbalize his feelings as well as the inner conflicts of reconciling who is he with what he has been taught creates a tension and provides us with a chance to care about him as a character. I'm convinced some of the questions he asks as he breaks down to Christian (Wes Ramsey) are the same ones most guys ask themselves when they try to understand their religious teachings with natural impulses and sexuality.
Ramsey plays Christian as an out and proud gay waiter, comfortable with himself and his reputation as a bit of romancer. He shares his conquests with coworkers, but feels there might be more to life than his one nighters and what he types into his journal.
Lest this be one-dimensional, we see a number of subplots develop with the owner of the restaurant where Christian works; an AIDS charity that feeds housebound patients; and more. Essentially all characters evolve in interesting ways.
While Aaron loses his status as a Mormon, and shames his father who is portrayed as shadowy, distant and part of the Mormon hierarchy, there is a suggestion that Mom might come around eventually.
The pain, physical and emotional, which Aaron experiences is real and likely occurs within this faith, as it does with many Catholics, Protestants and Jews who love and value their family and face rejection or small mindedness when they reveal their sexuality. Its important to note that in this film, Christian, no shock in the symbolism here, recognizes that Aaron might just be the perfect guy for him and worth an extra effort.
The end suggests hopelessness and suddenly changes to a comforting recognition and reunion at the very end of the film.
Perhaps a bit idealistic and wrapped too pretty at its conclusion, the love conquers all theme is here, but supported by a talented cast and a great amount of good acting.
I've not been too specific regarding the plot for fear of ruining the experience of enjoying the story yourself.
Characters played with well placed enthusiasm and genuine intensity create themes and thoughts that exist beyond the movie, providing thoughts to ponder or something interesting to discuss over coffee. This is a nice film to watch with someone you love.
Wonderful drama. June 17, 2006
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
This movie is one of my absolute favorite movies.
From the beginning I am captivated by the story and the actors are truly amazing in their portrayal of the characters.
It has been along time since I felt so many different emotions watching a movie and I can truly recommend this to anyone who likes a real drama that shows not only the rose red version of a gay relationship but also the dark side that seems to be present in todays society.
Tough, funny - basically just brilliant June 13, 2006
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Elder Aaron Davis (Sandvoss) is a straight-laced Mormon missionary from Oklahoma. Christian (Ramsey) is a waiter and party boy from LA. When Aaron's Mission sends him to LA to spread the word of LDS, he crosses paths with Christian when he moves into the same apartment block with his fellow missionaries. Christian's pals at the restaurant bet he isn't able to seduce one of the Mormon missionaries, and Christian sets his sights on Aaron to earn a easy $50. Christian tries to meet his new neighbors, but they're put off by his openly gay lifestyle. As a pretense, he asks to learn more about the LDS Church, and eventually connects with Aaron over their love of old movies, and the under-rated Ann Margaret. After an accident, Aaron's secret comes exposed. When, instead of shagging him, Aaron accuses Christian of being shallow, Christian begins a process of self-discovery in self-worth, while Aaron attempts to come to terms with his sexuality, with disastrous results.
It's a pity that so much vitriol was directed at LDS after the film. Seriously, change the name to Southern Baptist, or even Catholic, and you pretty much have the same experience. This is a brilliant film; one of the first true crossover hits with serious production values, and features phenomenal performances by Sandvoss, Ramsey, Bisset and Place. Sandvoss and Ramsey act their proverbial backsides off (no, Sandvoss isn't really that goofy, and no, Ramsey isn't quite that gay), and Bisset (as Lila, the restaurant owner and Christian's boss) and Place (as Aaron's once-doting mother) turn in unforgettable performances in stellar roles. One scene which stands out in particular: when Aaron and his mother have their "interaction" in the kitchen - truly a tough scene to watch, and an impossible one to keep your eyes dry through. Joseph Gordon-Levitt (3rd Rock from the Sun) and Amber Benson (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) turn in strong performances as well, and there's even a damn brilliant original soundtrack, one song of which is performed by Benson. It's not all doom and gloom, though, and there are some truly hilarious lines (one in the opening credits involving Christian and the fellow whose come to take his room-mate on a date, another with Bisset elegantly slagging off a difficult patron). The film was written and directed by C. Jay Cox of Sweet Home Alabama, another brilliant film that anyone gay shouldn't introduce his boyfriend "back home" without seeing first.
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Copyright Runningonkarma.com 2006
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