reviews_and_ramblings | Latter Days (2003) directed by C. Jay Cox

Director: C. Jay Cox

Writer (WGA): C. Jay Cox (written by)

Release Date: 10 July 2003 (Philadelphia International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival) (premiere)

Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance

Tagline: Aaron prays. Christian plays... Opposites attract.

Plot: Christian (Wes Ramsey of the washboard abs) is a waiter, party boy, and first-class man magnet. Elder Aaron Davis (Steve Sandvoss of the goofy grin) is a straight-laced Mormon missionary. When he and three elders, including the uptight Ryder (Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Mysterious Skin), move into Christian's Hollywood apartment complex, it's clear something's got to give. Christian tries to make his new neighbors feel welcome, but they're put off by his flamboyance--the short-shorts, the rainbow flag in his yard, etc. When Christian's trash-talking pals at Lila's restaurant, including the cynical Traci (Amber Benson, Buffy the Vampire Slayer), bet that he can't seduce one of these clean-cut young men, he takes them up on it and sets his sights on cute, soft-spoken Aaron. As a pretense, he asks to learn more about his Church, but where they really connect is over their love of old movies, everything from Psycho to Tommy. When Aaron accuses him of being shallow, however, Christian starts to wonder if the bet wasn't such a good idea--plus he's starting to fall for the guy. Turns out the closeted Aaron feels the same way about him, but when his roommates find out, he's shipped back to Pocatello where he faces excommunication. Written and directed by C. Jay Cox (Sweet Home Alabama), a former Mormon missionary, Latter Days features Mary Kay Place as Aaron's disapproving mother and Jacqueline Bisset as the acerbic, yet supportive Lila. (Kathleen C. Fennessy)

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@Amazon: Latter Days (Unrated Edition)
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Cast (in credits order)
Steve Sandvoss ... Elder Aaron Davis
Wes Ramsey ... Christian Markelli
Rebekah Johnson ... Julie Taylor (as Rebekah Jordan)
Amber Benson ... Traci Levine
Khary Payton ... Andrew
Jacqueline Bisset ... Lila Montagne
Joseph Gordon-Levitt ... Elder Paul Ryder
Rob McElhenney ... Elder Harmon
Dave Power ... Elder Gilford
Erik Palladino ... Keith Griffin
Mary Kay Place ... Sister Gladys Davis
Jim Ortlieb ... Brother Farron Davis
Linda Pine ... Susan Davis
Bob Gray ... Susan's Husband
Judee Morton ... Noreen (as Judith Morton Fraser)
Robert LaCroix ... Quinn (Elizabeth's Date)
Terry Simpson ... Dirk
Brian Wade ... Stacy (as Brian Patrick Wade)
Kurt Hargan ... Stacy's Husband
Mik Scriba ... Maintenance Man
Jason-Shane Scott ... Christian's Sublet
John Giansiracusa ... Man In Black #1
Robert Ramirez ... Man In Black #2
Toni Blair ... Restaurant Patron
Pamela Dominey ... Restaurant Patron
Margaret Fitzpatrick ... Restaurant Patron
Ed Garber ... Restaurant Patron / Church Elder (as Edward Garber)
Nadine Griffith ... Restaurant Patron
Richard Growe ... Restaurant Patron
Kristen Egues ... Restaurant Patron
Aleksei Ilnitsky ... Restaurant Patron
Yvonne Grey ... Restaurant Patron
MacGareo 'Mank' Thomas ... Restaurant Patron
Michelle Moolchan ... Restaurant Patron
Stefano Pujals ... Restaurant Patron / Church Elder
Steve Spellman ... Restaurant Patron
Mary Lou Ahlenius ... Restaurant Patron
Robin Barberis ... Restaurant Patron / Airport Passenger
Renee Lyle ... Restaurant Patron
Hilary Bell ... Hollywood Starlet
Michael Moriarty ... Body Guard
Matthew Mertens ... Body Guard
Doyle Wolfgang ... Couple waiting for table
Trudi Wolfgang ... Couple waiting for table
Oneil Cespedes ... Christian's Hook Up
Rich Moriarty ... Man taking Picture
Joseph Dipippa ... New Mormon
Laurent 'Thor' Weber ... Mormon at Airport (as Laurent Weber)
Ed Cha ... Itchy the Cook
Daisy Lewis Garcia ... Hostess / Thanksgiving Dinner Guest
Robert Gunnerson ... Bartender at Club (as Rob Gunnerson)
Dwayne Strickland ... Club Goer
Ron Hutchings ... Club Goer
Greg Kelly ... Club Goer
Aaron Lee Harvey ... Club Goer
Renato O'Neal ... Club Goer
Joe Clemens ... Club Goer
Steban Demari ... Club Goer
Dante Silicato ... Club Goer
Adi Cabada ... Club Goer
Tim Sanchez ... Club Goer / Airport Passenger
George Bendele ... Club Goer
David Welch ... Club Goer
Allan Shadoan ... Club Goer
Michael Wool ... Club Goer
Robbie Wong ... Club Goer
Mike Schmidt ... Club Goer
Melinda Howze ... Airport Passenger
Keri Ports ... Airport Passenger
Michelle Alexandria ... Airport Passenger (as Michelle Alexandria Saffaie)
Chris Kinder ... Airport Passenger
Wayne Webb ... Airport Passenger
Art Villa ... Airport Passenger
John Bennet ... Airport Passenger
Deborah Pixley ... Airport Passenger
Jeff Barberis ... Airport Passenger
Alicia Bereris ... Airport Passenger
Lonnie Beard ... Airline Pilot
Miriam Sue Bolber ... Airline Attendant
Lord Abenz ... Church Elder
Steven Cischke ... Church Elder
Nick Coroneens ... Church Elder
Patrick George ... Church Elder
William Hood ... Church Elder
Jack Kincaid ... Church Elder
Daryl Burq Pearson ... Church Elder (as Daniel Latch)
Nick Murray ... Church Elder
James Ozaasky ... Church Elder
Glen Peterson ... Church Elder (as Glen Perterson)
William Platt ... Church Elder
Steven Sellas ... Church Elder
Andre Araujo ... Project Angel Food Volunteer
Bill Gill ... Project Angel Food Volunteer
Jarris ... Project Angel Food Volunteer
Marc-Allen Barker ... Project Angel Food Volunteer
Bob Schuck ... Thanksgiving Dinner Guest
Alexandra Swanland ... Nurse
Dale Hawes ... Doctor
Joey Balthozar ... Hospital Patron
Quintella Turner ... Hospital Patron
Charles Edwards ... Cher Impersonator
Leora Lutz ... Angel Impersonator
Roger Dertinger ... Devil Impersonator
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Peter Denlo ... Concert guest
Wristcutters ... Bartender
Shannon Moore ... Julie's Backup Singer (uncredited)