Latter Days (2003)

43% of critics liked it
(46 reviews)
80% of users liked it
(10,462 ratings)

Sweet Home Alabama screenwriter C. Jay Cox directs the independent romance Latter Days. Christian (Wesley A. Ramsey) is a young gay party boy who lives in Southern California. When a group of good-looking Mormon missionary guys move into his apartment complex, he's determined to pick one up. He ends… More Sweet Home Alabama screenwriter C. Jay Cox directs the independent romance Latter Days. Christian (Wesley A. Ramsey) is a young gay party boy who lives in Southern California. When a group of good-looking Mormon missionary guys move into his apartment complex, he's determined to pick one up. He ends up falling for sweet, innocent Mormon Aaron Davis (Steve Sandvoss), who's secretly struggling with his sexuality. Aaron slowly falls for Christian, even though he thinks he's shallow. The romance causes problems in both worlds. Christian tries to develop a conscience and ends up meeting Keith (Erik Palladino), a man dying of AIDS. Aaron has the difficult job of coming out to his mom (Mary Kay Place) and to his fellow missionaries. He comes against harsh criticism from the blatantly homophobic Ryder (Joseph Gordon-Levitt). Latter Days won awards at the Philadelphia Lesbian and Gay Film Festival and L.A. Outfest. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 47 min.
Directed By: C. Jay Cox
Written By: C. Jay Cox
Genres: Drama, Romance, Gay & Lesbian, Comedy

In Theaters: Jan 30, 2004 Limited
On DVD: Sep 7, 2004
Studio: TLA Releasing

Critic Reviews

Carla Meyer, San Francisco Chronicle
Renders its gay and religious characters so stereotypical that neither lifestyle appears attractive.
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel
It's a winning, heartfelt and conflicted piece where the conflicts often resolve themselves in surprising ways.
Tom Long, Detroit News
A coming-of-age, coming-out, romantic comedy, religious intolerance flick, and if that sounds a bit crowded, that's because it is.
Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer
A fairly flat, predictable tale.
Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post
It's timely, not to mention refreshing, to see an affirmation of true love over hot sex, along with a reminder that the two aren't necessarily mutually exclusive.
Wesley Morris, Boston Globe
Such a well-meaning but unambitious work that it's tempting to take it seriously even as you dismiss it.
S. James Wegg, JWR
The BIG sex scene starts poorly as the pair, alone at last due to a so-convenient snow storm, efficiently undress themselves as if preparing for a rugby match ...
Andrew Griffin, Town Talk (Alexandria, LA)
This semi-autobiographical film has its charming moments, and while a bit cliched in parts, makes for an interesting drama.
Liz Braun, Jam! Movies
Cox -- who experienced the Mormon view on gay life firsthand -- gets the sort of performances out of his characters that will help you overlook what is cliched about the story.
John A. Nesbit, Old School Reviews
simple paint-by-the numbers gay themed film that strikes directly at Mormon dogma, but it has a certain charm due mainly to Sandvoss' Herculean efforts
Rick Kisonak, Film Threat
Ramsey's heartbreak, stock taking and determination to see to it the relationship gets a second chance are as affecting as anything the genre has produced in recent memory.
Duane Dudek, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Overall generalities about the main characters, a tendency to reveal them through monologue rather than behavior, and a lack of curiosity about the Mormon youth's core beliefs keep Latter Days from feeling genuinely personal or particularly substantive.
Jeffrey Bruner, Des Moines Register
The screenplay is efficient to a fault, populated with stock characters.
Andrea Chase, Killer Movie Reviews
Cox can be forgiven for getting a little preachy when he makes his point with such an open heart and loving spirit
Anita Schmaltz, Metro Times (Detroit, MI)
...Funny, tragic, occasionally cheesy, endearing and ultimately heartwarming, dealing with very serious Christian hypocrisy while holding onto a light, life-embracing tone.
Marty Mapes, Movie Habit
What would happen between a hedonistic fairy and an earnest but curious Mormon?

Read all 16 critic reviews

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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

Thomas J

I like it overall, but a lot of cheesy stereotypes. Acting is mediocre at best. Reminder how the less open-minded think. The higher rating comes simply from a couple scenes that still makes my heart melt and beat faster.
_kelly .

It's just a lukewarm film, a by-the-numbers romantic drama about people from utterly different worlds that happen to fall in love. I give props for the included "twist" and depictions of "homosexual reformation" facilities that we all KNOW exist and are… More
It's just a lukewarm film, a by-the-numbers romantic drama about people from utterly different worlds that happen to fall in love. I give props for the included "twist" and depictions of "homosexual reformation" facilities that we all KNOW exist and are utilized by the Mormon church. Some very nice bits of secondary character acting by Erik Palladino as the AIDS patient and Joseph Gordon Levitt as an overly everything-that-isn't-Mormon-phobic missionary. "Hot Gay Sex" commentary: this reluctantly makes the list. makes the list because there is certainly gay sex happening here. Reluctant because, as my gay boyfriend said, "we don't know who topped/bottomed". Plenty of shapely buttocks, though.
Michael S

My sister bought this on DVD so I decided to watch it with her without knowing much about it besides it's gay subject matter. I'm glad I did because it turned out to be a poignant, insightful, and very original film with a wealth of strong performances and a tight script.
Robert C

Had potential, but (thanks to reenforcing horrible stereo types) it ended up being just another gay themed movie.
jay n

interesting characters and story with good acting and Jacqueline Bisset too!
Alec B

I liked that the two central characters do have actual fears and concerns about their awkward situation early on in the film that materialize in a believable way, but it doesn't examine those issues in the depth that they could have. Instead we are stuck with a rather bland story… More
I liked that the two central characters do have actual fears and concerns about their awkward situation early on in the film that materialize in a believable way, but it doesn't examine those issues in the depth that they could have. Instead we are stuck with a rather bland story that becomes predictable in the second half.
Sylvester K

I think the movie overall has a superb script (not the plot however) but the acting was so terrifying. Can't say there're any new elements in the film of this genre but it provided a good soundtrack and an important message.
Lovable M

Stupid ass movie.
Lauren D

It was lame, but enjoyable. The openly gay dude was really annoying (and ugly) and just bothered me, but Steve Sandvoss was good. It was alright.
Sunil J

It's not groundbreaking in it's plot but it offers more than the basic gay movie formula.
Leo L

Fantastic!
Anthony V

Very one sided.