These fabulous Latter Days of culture clash

Diversity has become one of the most important and controversial buzzwords in the English language, and, while it is legally required in many settings, culturally it can be a disaster. For instance, try throwing together a closeted Mormon and a stereotypical gay pretty-boy.

This is the premise upon which Latter Days is based. Christian (Wes Ramsey) is the beautiful, young, healthy and in-demand gay man living in the aesthetic paradise of L.A. Elder Davis (Steve Sandvoss) is the dorky new Mormon missionary serving his duty to his community until he can go home to his loving family in Idaho. A bet, much in the same vein as in Guys and Dolls, brings the two together in a whirlwind journey that flip-flops from being fabulously funny to deeply serious and somber.

The most important thing to keep in mind about this movie is that nothing is as it seems. The opening montage is overlaid with a monologue comparing life to the individual ink dots on a printed paper, and throughout the movie, those dots become less and less distinct, and the "big picture" gets clearer and clearer. With much greater ease and fluidity than in blockbusters like Signs, the characters and the series of events in this film blend together, forming a tight, albeit slightly corny story that is touching and inspirational.

The characters' situations demonstrate that society's morals are too rigid and confining. As Lila (Jacqueline Bisset) puts it, "Your church doesn't like alcohol or homosexuals. Well, I'm not joining; can't imagine heaven without both." All the characters are looking for freedom and acceptance, but too many societal institutions bar their way.

While the examples used in the film are fitting and appropriate, the film itself could use more restraint. Though the movie doesn't appear too tacky, it does feature gratuitous sex and male nudity.

Director C. Jay Cox also beats some elements of the plot into the ground with a large, blunt cudgel. No occurrence is singular—happiness and grief both come in large clumps; there is no hesitation to jump repeatedly from light comedy to melodrama; and boys don't cry—they wail like little girls.

However, only a few parts of the film are lame and predictable, and they're all confined to the middle. The beginning and the end are both stupendously well done. On the whole, the dialog is witty, the acting is perfect and the work is visually pleasing. In the words of Davis, "It's beautiful... and funny... and good."

Latter Days is not rated but contains mature language and graphic sex. It runs 108 minutes and is playing at the E Street Cinema.