Okay, I rented this movie years ago and then recently found it at my public library and gave it another viewing. Yep--still love it.
It's the kind of love story *I* like--a story with heart, unexpected sweetness, and a happy-enough ending that makes you hope these crazy kids will somehow make it.
Was Latter Days made on a shoestring budget? Well, just watch it, look at the production values--bare bones. Wes Ramsey and Steven Sandvoss were clearly not seasoned actors, and IMHO they were further hamstrung by an awkward script. A script that, let's face it, doesn't really stand up to close scrutiny...
And yet.
The camera loved Sandvoss, whose "aw-shucks", almost shy demeanor as Mormon missionary Aaron worked so well against Ramsey's more extroverted performance as cynical L.A. pretty-boy player Christian. (Sandvoss' own acting limitations here seemed to me to be partly camouflaged by his character's awkwardness. For example, is the inexperienced actor fidgeting slightly outside the airport terminal, not sure how physically to fill the empty seconds between the end of his kiss with Ramsey and the arrival of the airport custodian? Or is it simply Aaron being all tentative and uncertain in a situation that's completely new to him? You be the judge.)
I also enjoyed the way the story flowed, in the sense that Christian seems to start falling for Aaron around the same time Aaron realizes just how shallow Christian is. Up until that moment, Christian has been pretty much in the power seat, slowly reeling in the naive missionary with his good looks and charismatic charm. (Of course, he has already tested the waters and confirmed that Aaron is not immune to some subtle advances.) It's literally a game to Christian--one that stands to net him at least 50 bucks once he gets Aaron into bed.
But when a disillusioned Aaron calls Christian out on his shallowness and disengages from the friendship, Christian can't just shrug and move on. Instead, he is bothered by the loss of Aaron's good opinion of him. He misses Aaron's companionship and his quiet (if inexplicable) conviction that life is good and we're all connected.
And so the balance of power shifts, because from this point on (from my POV), both men are vulnerable in the relationship, not just Aaron. That's what I mean by enjoying the way the story flowed.
The fact that both actors looked incredibly hot naked, together, making love, was just an amazing bonus. (However, I could have done without the slightly porn-y music played in the airport hotel. Also, I was not a fan of the the editing of Aaron and Christian's romantic moments. Too many jumps. When people are falling in love and savoring the unexpected moment, the kiss that is a discovery, the feelings that are a revelation, I want the camera to stay with a shot for more than 2 seconds. Digitally clean up what you need to, I guess, but otherwise, give us a chance to enjoy the experience.)
Anyway.
Clearly I've thought about this a lot.
I wish someone would remake Latter Days, with the same sweetness of the original movie, but with better production values and a smarter, tighter script.
It's the kind of love story *I* like--a story with heart, unexpected sweetness, and a happy-enough ending that makes you hope these crazy kids will somehow make it.
Was Latter Days made on a shoestring budget? Well, just watch it, look at the production values--bare bones. Wes Ramsey and Steven Sandvoss were clearly not seasoned actors, and IMHO they were further hamstrung by an awkward script. A script that, let's face it, doesn't really stand up to close scrutiny...
And yet.
The camera loved Sandvoss, whose "aw-shucks", almost shy demeanor as Mormon missionary Aaron worked so well against Ramsey's more extroverted performance as cynical L.A. pretty-boy player Christian. (Sandvoss' own acting limitations here seemed to me to be partly camouflaged by his character's awkwardness. For example, is the inexperienced actor fidgeting slightly outside the airport terminal, not sure how physically to fill the empty seconds between the end of his kiss with Ramsey and the arrival of the airport custodian? Or is it simply Aaron being all tentative and uncertain in a situation that's completely new to him? You be the judge.)
I also enjoyed the way the story flowed, in the sense that Christian seems to start falling for Aaron around the same time Aaron realizes just how shallow Christian is. Up until that moment, Christian has been pretty much in the power seat, slowly reeling in the naive missionary with his good looks and charismatic charm. (Of course, he has already tested the waters and confirmed that Aaron is not immune to some subtle advances.) It's literally a game to Christian--one that stands to net him at least 50 bucks once he gets Aaron into bed.
But when a disillusioned Aaron calls Christian out on his shallowness and disengages from the friendship, Christian can't just shrug and move on. Instead, he is bothered by the loss of Aaron's good opinion of him. He misses Aaron's companionship and his quiet (if inexplicable) conviction that life is good and we're all connected.
And so the balance of power shifts, because from this point on (from my POV), both men are vulnerable in the relationship, not just Aaron. That's what I mean by enjoying the way the story flowed.
The fact that both actors looked incredibly hot naked, together, making love, was just an amazing bonus. (However, I could have done without the slightly porn-y music played in the airport hotel. Also, I was not a fan of the the editing of Aaron and Christian's romantic moments. Too many jumps. When people are falling in love and savoring the unexpected moment, the kiss that is a discovery, the feelings that are a revelation, I want the camera to stay with a shot for more than 2 seconds. Digitally clean up what you need to, I guess, but otherwise, give us a chance to enjoy the experience.)
Anyway.
Clearly I've thought about this a lot.
I wish someone would remake Latter Days, with the same sweetness of the original movie, but with better production values and a smarter, tighter script.