Mike
01-23-2004, 06:08 PM
http://us.ent4.yimg.com/movies.yahoo.com/images/hv/photo/movie_pix/tla/latter_days/_group_photos/steve_sandvoss4.jpg
Genre: Comedy, Drama and Romance
PLOT:
Christian (Wes Ramsey), a hunky, 20-something, West Hollywood party boy gets more than he bargains for when he tries to seduce 19-year-old Elder Aaron Davis (Steve Sandvoss), a sexually confused Mormon missionary who moves into his apartment complex. When Christian exposes Davis' secret sexual desire, Davis' rejects Christian for being shallow and empty, The encounter shatters each boy's reality and draws the two into a passionate romance that risks destroying their lives. Latter Days is a charming, sexy, and moving tale that will leave you believing in the transformational power of love.
Release Date: January 30th, 2004 (LA/NY); expands to other cities at later dates
Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Rebekah Jordan, Wesley A. Ramsey, Jacqueline Bisset, Steve Sandvoss
Directed by: C. Jay Cox
Produced by: Jennifer Schaefer, Kirkland Tibbels
http://us.ent4.yimg.com/movies.yahoo.com/images/hv/photo/movie_pix/tla/latter_days/steve_sandvoss/latter.jpg
FILM JOURNAL REVIEW:
A total clash of cultures occurs when Mormon missionary Elder Aaron Davis (Steve Sandvoss) moves into the same Hollywood complex as gay party boy Christian (Wesley A. Ramsey). Aaron’s non-partying, religiously proselytizing ways puzzle and intrigue Christian, and an uneasy attraction eventually forms between them. When they are discovered in an embrace, all hell breaks loose.
Latter Days is obviously a deeply personal statement from writer-director C. Jay Cox, and some fascinating, fearsome information about the Mormon Church gets imparted. Despite the frequent obviousness of the script and direction (get that name—Christian!), the story attains an undeniable, if somewhat soap opera-like, power. This is largely due to Sandvoss’ quietly committed performance, a vital journey from repression through personal torment and eventual self-acceptance. Ramsey is rather less of an actor in his big dramatic scenes, but does vividly convey the initial flighty, horny quality of his no-flies-on-me character. The actors manage to get a convincingly intense and sensuous chemistry going. Their romance is particularly hard-won, and it would really take a heart of stone not to ultimately root for them, through all the melodramatic vicissitudes they’re put through. (Even Lillian Gish in her silent days never had it this rough.) Eric Allaman’s music score is, however, a detriment, as are the sappy Cox-composed songs laid into the soundtrack. (George Cukor once observed that most wise directors realize that they cannot do it all: direct, write, compose music, design, etc.)
Cox has surrounded his leads with a colorful assortment of cast-mates. Jacqueline Bisset seems to enjoy herself, playing Christian’s omniscient restaurant owner boss with all the worldly aplomb of Jeanne Moreau. Mary Kay Place brings a scary strength to the role of Aaron’s resolutely homophobic mother. Rebekah Johnson plays Christian’s sassy black gal pal (a new, clichéd must in gay films these days) and shows off an attractive singing voice. And there’s a raucous bunch of white-shirted-and-tied Mormon missionaries, bursting with libido and frat-boy bonhomie.
—David Noh
MOVIE PIE REVIEW:
LATTER DAYS
2003 – USA Director: C. Jay Cox Starring: Wesley A. Ramsey, Steve Sandvoss, Jacqueline Bisset, Mary Kay Place, Erik Palladino, Amber Benson, Joseph Gordon-Levitt
-Reviewed by Linda
I'm sure I'm not the only one who didn't expect much from Latter Days, a gay romance/comedy/drama from C. Jay Cox, whose most well-known previous venture was writing the screenplay for the popular but eyeball-rolling mainstream romantic comedy Sweet Home Alabama. Regardless of whether that movie was a fluke of his talents, or this movie is, I will say right now that I wasn't the only one in the packed festival audience that was moved to tears by the end of this impressive directing debut. It ended up winning the Audience Award at the Seattle Lesbian and Gay Film Festival.
L.A. pretty-boy Christian (Wesley A. Ramsey) is blessed with modelesque good looks, and the effortless ability to pick up and take home any man he wants—even if the guy is seemingly straight! One day, a group of clean-cut guys move into a neighboring apartment, and Christian rubs his hands with the possibilities. But, alas! The fellows are Mormon missionaires! Rather than serving as a deterrent, of course the sitution presents itself as his biggest challenge yet. At the fine restaurant where he waits table, Christian's co-workers wager bets on whether or not he can bed one of the missionary boys, and he accepts the challenge with glee.
The focus of Christian's attentions is sweetly handsome Aaron (Steve Sandvoss) who initially falls for Christian's moves, but then backs off reluctantly. Christian is frustrated, but not because of his winning bet being thwarted. He finds himself really liking Aaron, and surprises himself by wanting to prove to him that he is not shallow. As for Aaron, the tension does not come from finding out whether or not he is gay, or whether or not he is attracted to Christian... that is presumed from early on. But the dramatic tension (the film takes a rather dark turn mid-way) is how Aaron's homosexuality will affect his relationship with the church. Aaron has to come out to his religion and face the consequences.
Latter Days had the ripe opportunity to become cringe-inducing. It could have been a diatribe against the beliefs and lifestyle of Mormons, mocking the missionaries for their backward and ultra-conservative ways. But Latter Days impressively treats the religion with respect. Aaron is portrayed as a truly spiritual person; of the four missionaries, he is the best example of a young man who earnestly and selflessly wants to share the beliefs that give him the comfort of knowing his place in the world. It is Aaron's struggle with coming out to the church, and risk being excommunicated because of it, that is the true drama of the film.
But don't let the darkness of the previous paragraph deter you from seeing this film! The writing is sharp and funny (what happened with Sweet Home, I have no idea), and the supporting characters are all well-written and perfectly cast, from Joseph Gordon-Levitt as the hyperly-righteous Mormon, to Jacqueline Bisset as the manager and mother hen of the restaurant employees, to Erik Palladino as an AIDS-stricken man who makes Christian acknowledge and accept his flaws.
But the heart of the film is Steve Sandvoss as Aaron. His character is so sweet and genuine, that you can't help but feel for his heart-wrenching decision—whichever path he chooses, you don't want him to get hurt. In the same way that Aaron has a positive effect on Christian, making a good person better, Steve Sandvoss takes a good movie and makes it pretty darn great.
Rating: 7/8
PLANET SICK BOY REVIEW:
Latter Days
C. Jay Cox, USA, 110 minutes
9:15 p.m. Friday, October 3, Little Theatre
C. Jay Cox, the screenwriter of the abysmal Sweet Home Alabama, shows far more promise with Latter Days, his directorial debut. The film starts with the familiar cliché of throwing together two very different people who, even though their relationship is prickly at first, will no doubt ride off into the sunset together...or at least that's how it seems. Cox's story takes a couple of surprising twists and turns, which makes you wonder how badly Hollywood may have ruined his story for Alabama.
Christian (Wesley A. Ramsey) is a man-eater with the body of a Greek god who works at a restaurant with a bunch of other aspiring actors and singers (one is everyone's second favorite lesbian witch --- Amber Benson). Aaron (Steve Sandvoss) is the uptight Mormon who moves in next door to Christian. Will they be able to get over their differences in order to get it on? With touches of As Good As it Gets and Jacqueline Bisset, does it really matter?
Genre: Comedy, Drama and Romance
PLOT:
Christian (Wes Ramsey), a hunky, 20-something, West Hollywood party boy gets more than he bargains for when he tries to seduce 19-year-old Elder Aaron Davis (Steve Sandvoss), a sexually confused Mormon missionary who moves into his apartment complex. When Christian exposes Davis' secret sexual desire, Davis' rejects Christian for being shallow and empty, The encounter shatters each boy's reality and draws the two into a passionate romance that risks destroying their lives. Latter Days is a charming, sexy, and moving tale that will leave you believing in the transformational power of love.
Release Date: January 30th, 2004 (LA/NY); expands to other cities at later dates
Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Rebekah Jordan, Wesley A. Ramsey, Jacqueline Bisset, Steve Sandvoss
Directed by: C. Jay Cox
Produced by: Jennifer Schaefer, Kirkland Tibbels
http://us.ent4.yimg.com/movies.yahoo.com/images/hv/photo/movie_pix/tla/latter_days/steve_sandvoss/latter.jpg
FILM JOURNAL REVIEW:
A total clash of cultures occurs when Mormon missionary Elder Aaron Davis (Steve Sandvoss) moves into the same Hollywood complex as gay party boy Christian (Wesley A. Ramsey). Aaron’s non-partying, religiously proselytizing ways puzzle and intrigue Christian, and an uneasy attraction eventually forms between them. When they are discovered in an embrace, all hell breaks loose.
Latter Days is obviously a deeply personal statement from writer-director C. Jay Cox, and some fascinating, fearsome information about the Mormon Church gets imparted. Despite the frequent obviousness of the script and direction (get that name—Christian!), the story attains an undeniable, if somewhat soap opera-like, power. This is largely due to Sandvoss’ quietly committed performance, a vital journey from repression through personal torment and eventual self-acceptance. Ramsey is rather less of an actor in his big dramatic scenes, but does vividly convey the initial flighty, horny quality of his no-flies-on-me character. The actors manage to get a convincingly intense and sensuous chemistry going. Their romance is particularly hard-won, and it would really take a heart of stone not to ultimately root for them, through all the melodramatic vicissitudes they’re put through. (Even Lillian Gish in her silent days never had it this rough.) Eric Allaman’s music score is, however, a detriment, as are the sappy Cox-composed songs laid into the soundtrack. (George Cukor once observed that most wise directors realize that they cannot do it all: direct, write, compose music, design, etc.)
Cox has surrounded his leads with a colorful assortment of cast-mates. Jacqueline Bisset seems to enjoy herself, playing Christian’s omniscient restaurant owner boss with all the worldly aplomb of Jeanne Moreau. Mary Kay Place brings a scary strength to the role of Aaron’s resolutely homophobic mother. Rebekah Johnson plays Christian’s sassy black gal pal (a new, clichéd must in gay films these days) and shows off an attractive singing voice. And there’s a raucous bunch of white-shirted-and-tied Mormon missionaries, bursting with libido and frat-boy bonhomie.
—David Noh
MOVIE PIE REVIEW:
LATTER DAYS
2003 – USA Director: C. Jay Cox Starring: Wesley A. Ramsey, Steve Sandvoss, Jacqueline Bisset, Mary Kay Place, Erik Palladino, Amber Benson, Joseph Gordon-Levitt
-Reviewed by Linda
I'm sure I'm not the only one who didn't expect much from Latter Days, a gay romance/comedy/drama from C. Jay Cox, whose most well-known previous venture was writing the screenplay for the popular but eyeball-rolling mainstream romantic comedy Sweet Home Alabama. Regardless of whether that movie was a fluke of his talents, or this movie is, I will say right now that I wasn't the only one in the packed festival audience that was moved to tears by the end of this impressive directing debut. It ended up winning the Audience Award at the Seattle Lesbian and Gay Film Festival.
L.A. pretty-boy Christian (Wesley A. Ramsey) is blessed with modelesque good looks, and the effortless ability to pick up and take home any man he wants—even if the guy is seemingly straight! One day, a group of clean-cut guys move into a neighboring apartment, and Christian rubs his hands with the possibilities. But, alas! The fellows are Mormon missionaires! Rather than serving as a deterrent, of course the sitution presents itself as his biggest challenge yet. At the fine restaurant where he waits table, Christian's co-workers wager bets on whether or not he can bed one of the missionary boys, and he accepts the challenge with glee.
The focus of Christian's attentions is sweetly handsome Aaron (Steve Sandvoss) who initially falls for Christian's moves, but then backs off reluctantly. Christian is frustrated, but not because of his winning bet being thwarted. He finds himself really liking Aaron, and surprises himself by wanting to prove to him that he is not shallow. As for Aaron, the tension does not come from finding out whether or not he is gay, or whether or not he is attracted to Christian... that is presumed from early on. But the dramatic tension (the film takes a rather dark turn mid-way) is how Aaron's homosexuality will affect his relationship with the church. Aaron has to come out to his religion and face the consequences.
Latter Days had the ripe opportunity to become cringe-inducing. It could have been a diatribe against the beliefs and lifestyle of Mormons, mocking the missionaries for their backward and ultra-conservative ways. But Latter Days impressively treats the religion with respect. Aaron is portrayed as a truly spiritual person; of the four missionaries, he is the best example of a young man who earnestly and selflessly wants to share the beliefs that give him the comfort of knowing his place in the world. It is Aaron's struggle with coming out to the church, and risk being excommunicated because of it, that is the true drama of the film.
But don't let the darkness of the previous paragraph deter you from seeing this film! The writing is sharp and funny (what happened with Sweet Home, I have no idea), and the supporting characters are all well-written and perfectly cast, from Joseph Gordon-Levitt as the hyperly-righteous Mormon, to Jacqueline Bisset as the manager and mother hen of the restaurant employees, to Erik Palladino as an AIDS-stricken man who makes Christian acknowledge and accept his flaws.
But the heart of the film is Steve Sandvoss as Aaron. His character is so sweet and genuine, that you can't help but feel for his heart-wrenching decision—whichever path he chooses, you don't want him to get hurt. In the same way that Aaron has a positive effect on Christian, making a good person better, Steve Sandvoss takes a good movie and makes it pretty darn great.
Rating: 7/8
PLANET SICK BOY REVIEW:
Latter Days
C. Jay Cox, USA, 110 minutes
9:15 p.m. Friday, October 3, Little Theatre
C. Jay Cox, the screenwriter of the abysmal Sweet Home Alabama, shows far more promise with Latter Days, his directorial debut. The film starts with the familiar cliché of throwing together two very different people who, even though their relationship is prickly at first, will no doubt ride off into the sunset together...or at least that's how it seems. Cox's story takes a couple of surprising twists and turns, which makes you wonder how badly Hollywood may have ruined his story for Alabama.
Christian (Wesley A. Ramsey) is a man-eater with the body of a Greek god who works at a restaurant with a bunch of other aspiring actors and singers (one is everyone's second favorite lesbian witch --- Amber Benson). Aaron (Steve Sandvoss) is the uptight Mormon who moves in next door to Christian. Will they be able to get over their differences in order to get it on? With touches of As Good As it Gets and Jacqueline Bisset, does it really matter?