Reviews

Amanda Plummer, a time traveling scientist faces the Supreme Court of the 2070's, in an America that has outlawed technology.

Michael Moriarty for the prosecution, Kelly McGillis for the defense.

Chief justice: Charlton Heston. Associates: Cicely Tyson, Robert Loggia, Hal Holbrook, Swoosie Kurtz.

Strange-looking observer in the back of the courtroom: Wallace Langham.

All sorts of issues and possible futures get discussed as history and shown in dystopian vignettes.

This cast and their script really pulled me in, and just when I'm expecting Big Chuck to hand down a decision-- --a twist from left field, and a razza-frazzin' CLIFFHANGER!!! Oh boy, I wish I could cuss on IMDb...

Now, I just finished watching this in weekend syndication, so I don't know if this is a Sundays only, weekend days, or 7-days-a-week. Will the conclusion be aired tomorrow, next Saturday, or next Sunday? Sigh.

If I catch it, I'll come back to pen an addendum this review...

Note: This review contains DVD bonus-feature spoilers...

"Latter Days" is one of those films that really can't be taken at face value, and to criticize it without knowing its backstory is to do the film a disservice.

Director C. Jay Cox discloses on the DVD documentary that the idea for the film was birthed when he ran across an old photo of himself, back when he was indeed a Mormon missionary. He wondered what it would be like if his then-self met his later-self, and the first conversation in the laundry room was the launch pad for the story. Knowing the film is semi-autobiographical allows for forgiveness vis-a-vis some of the film's flaws.

Posters here have nitpicked the fact that the film is riddled with gay-movie clichés, but, let's face it, the gay culture IS chock-full of clichés. Shallow pretty-boys DO run the show, so to speak. Because most gay young men have to deal with secrecy and repression before they come out, once they do, there's a bit of "kid in a candy store" about the lifestyle. Many will chase the promiscuity until they grow up enough to realize that sex isn't necessarily equated with affection or love. That was Christian's journey in the film, and Wes Ramsey acquitted himself quite nicely in taking us along on the trip.

As for Steve Sandvoss as Aaron, he was incredible. The fact that both of these lead actors are straight is a testament to their skill at their craft.

As someone who also had to struggle with the God-vs.-gay tug-of-war, I feel he gave an extremely honest performance. It's so difficult to resolve the conflict, especially when you are young. On the one hand, you've got all the beliefs of your church being drilled into your head, and if your parents are scandal-conscious, it makes matters even worse. On the other hand, you've got these feelings you can't control which can become painful once you realize that this is your truth. It feels like a no-win situation, and it's not surprising that many gay youth conclude that suicide is the only escape.

"Latter Days" offers a bit of hope in its message that family doesn't necessarily mean biology. It's easy to see why the cast and crew took this film to heart, and the PSA for The Trevor Project -- a gay-teen-suicide-prevention group-- may be a life-saving blessing for some young kid who finds himself in this seemingly impossible situation.

In closing, a final plea to Christians who denounce gays: It's God's job to judge, not yours. Your job is to love your neighbor as yourself. If your venom drives a kid to suicide, I suspect the blood will be upon your hand at Judgment Day. If God created everything, he created homosexuals, too. Maybe he put us here to test YOUR character. Something to think about...

If we can overcome the hypocritical divisiveness inherent in organized religions, perhaps we will move beyond them and truly discover that God is love. Until then, it will always feel like we are living in the "Latter Days."

Take care, all. May you find love and peace in your lives...