So over the weekend I watched the movie "Latter Days." Wow is something like that fascinating when you've felt both perspectives. As I watched the reactions of variouss missionaries and members to the Elder's SSA, I was horrified. I don't really believe too many members post Gordon B Hinckley's talk in conference would say some of those things, and of course, you'd probably never see an excommunication in this day and age just for being Gay. The behaviour of those Elders though--I could picture easily. I also know ( having once been a missionary) that I never would have answered the questions in the discussion in quite that direct, forceful manner.
It is a nice romance, and pretty sensual/intense. Most of you have already seen it, so (SPOILER ALERT) what interested me most was the ending. I was really surprised what I felt. I felt the heart beating in my chest, warm, and felt the expression of love. Yes boys and girls, it felt like the spirit telling me something. I'll even admit I had a bit of an ah/ha moment about my own marriage at that moment.
I really don't believe the movie is too kind to the church, or accurately reflects how most Latter Day Saints would react. It does however reflect how they have acted both individually and institutionally in the past. But that wasn't too much different than many conservative sects.
Since most of you have seen it, I'd like to feel your thoughts, read them. What did you feel? What did you see? Were errors in the portrayal of the institution distracting?
I've sat through disciplinary councils (thankfully not my own) and what I saw portrayed was not what happens. Though the Elder's rebuttal was certainly apropos.
I didn't find the institutional errors too distracting, although being very familiar with the Elder's hometown, I know it was NOT filmed in Southeast Idaho (which was mildly distracting).
ReplyDeleteI thought the reaction of the parents was fairly accurate to how I was raised to think about homosexuality institutionally. I think my parents are a little less dogmatic about things than most LDS, so I guess we'll see what their reaction is when I come out to them . . . I agree that a person wouldn't be excommunicated for just being gay, but it wouldn't suprise me that someone would think they would be excommunicated for just being gay. As I've blogged previously, I was raised to think about homosexuality in such an unnatural manner that I couldn't even accept my own homosexuality (despite the evidence) until I no longer believed in the church. I've never been excommunicated or through a disciplinary council or through reperative therapy, so I don't know what those are actually like, but they certainly seemed frightening in their portral in the movie.
The ending was very heartwarming. I really enjoyed it, although both DW and myself would have liked to have a kiss between them at the end.
I too really enjoy watching "Latter Days". It's one of the few gay themed movies I own on DVD - and one of the few secrets I keep from my wife (she doesn't know I own it).
ReplyDeleteI agree that it's not an accurate reflection of Mormons in general - but it's not hard to imagine that there are people like that in the church - even today. I also think the excommunication part was probably the most inaccurate. But, I don't let it bother me because the point of the movie is not to educate on Mormonism - it's about the inner conflict of being gay in a religion that doesn't accept gays.
I've talked to others who were really bothered by showing the garments; but, I that doesn't bother me either. They weren't flaunted - in fact, most non-members probably don't even recognize them as such.
What does bother me about the movie is the language - especially the gratuitous use of the F-word. It's just so unnecessary to the plot. For me, it cheapens the message of the movie.
My favorite part of the movie is the end where Aaron shows up at the restaurant. Everytime I watch it, my eyes tear up as he is telling his story to Lila. Finding out that Christian works in the restaurant is a bit cheesy - but it does bring closure to the movie.
Sometimes, I kind of wish they would come out with a sequel - exploring how family and friends react to Aaron having a boyfriend.
I have mixed feelings about the movie... but compared to other gay films, it's pretty good.
ReplyDeleteI saw it over a year before coming out to my parents, and I think if anything it kept me in the closet longer, thus hurting me more than helping me at that time in my life.
I also agree that they portray the Church unfairly. I have never had that reaction after coming out to any Mormon.
I love the theme addressed in the movie (the dialog at the beginning, middle when he first talks with the restaurant owner, and the end). Great quote.
Honestly, I had a hard time finding the characters in this movie believable. The personality transplant of party-boy Christian in the second act was pretty hard to swallow. You just don't start with a side-bet on whether you can seduce someone and then end up delivering meals to shut ins. I also thought the lovers' missed messages and chance meetings were tedious and contrived. The people who made this film never met a cliche they didn't like-- the the sour AIDS patient, hooker-with-a-heart-of-gold, gay boy's trendy gal pal, red-state family values and many others.
ReplyDeleteOn the plus side, I will say that Steve Sandvoss certainly looked the part of a Mormon missionary physically. His somewhat wooden delivery fit the awkwardness of the character he played.
I'm glad a film was made on the topic of gay Mormons. I just wish it hadn't been this film.
Audiences at the gay film festivals loved Latter Days. The DVD sold well and is a rental favorite at Netflix. Maybe I just don't know from art. : -)
Joe,
ReplyDeleteI just watched it this weekend for the first time too. Gotta love, East Coast snow days.
I loved it! Then yesterday, I watched Brokeback,not nearly as good. From my point of view, I thought whoever made the movie had to have a pretty good idea of both LDS and Gay communities to be so accurate. But what do I know? I know it was "just a movie" but, if it were for real, I would have to say that God sent that Elder to that area for a reason, and he found it. Did I ever tell you about the semi-attractive, less active that confessed he had a thing for me on my mission?
CC
I agree with the others that it wasn't the most accurate portrayal of the Church or its members. But it's more of a gut feeling on my part...
ReplyDeleteWould a missionary have been sent home for smooching alone in his apartment with a guy? Very probably yes. Would his parents have locked him away in some facility where he went through electro-shock therapy to change? It happened, but in a different generation and a different setting (BYU in the 1970s).
Apart from that, it just didn't feel authentic to me. It didn't feel like the Mormonism I grew up and served a mission in. Maybe its just that they didn't present enough of the faith aspect for it to seem real to me. They probably could have plopped this same basic plot into any conservative religious setting, and it wouldn't have made much difference. They just happened to pick Mormons.
I think it is helpful to know that the film maker was also a member of the church. Some of the situations with the elders come from the experience of the film maker when on his mission.
ReplyDeleteWhile the church is not portrayed in the usual innocent light members and leaders often demand there is a great deal of plausibility to the situations. Elder Davis' parents react very realistically I thought and were true to their character. One can indeed be excommunicated if one "acts out on gay attractions" as it is against the word of wisdom and the laws of chastity. Not impossible at all.
As one who has been shunned by very active family members the movie as a whole resonated with me in a rather profound way. Even some of the mission stuff was way too familiar to my mission experience. When I served my mission (2001) I too was faced with having to choose electro shock therapy (not overtly for being gay but I think the Mission pres. had suspicions). Mormonism, despite it's attempts to be otherwise, is not a cookie cutter religion - not everyone has the same experiences. We're talking about individuals and a humanistic response.
Even with some of the lo budget aspects I still find myself appreciating the last five minute of the film and the love story. It's the one thing I cling to with this movie.
Falling in love with another man while on a mission - yeah, that hit home in a very personal way.
ReplyDeleteI never heard of the movie until bromancing in Europe. The friend I was staying with had the movie and wanted me to watch it. I like the movie but I thought parts of it were a little to intense about mormon life. Anyway, I was totally suprised how popular the movie was over there.
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