Latter Days 2004

In the vibrant streets of Los Angeles, Elder Aaron Davis, a committed Mormon from Pocatello, Idaho, finds himself on an unexpected journey alongside a group of missionaries tasked with spreading their faith. Their residence is surprisingly close to the lively Christian Markelli and his roommate Julie, both of whom earn a living as waitstaff at Lila’s, a chic restaurant operated by the retired actress Lila Montagne.

With a playful audacity, Christian wagers with his fellow missionaries that he can seduce one of them into a romantic entanglement. To his surprise, he becomes intrigued by Aaron, the least experienced of the missionaries, whom he mistakenly assumes is grappling with hidden homosexual feelings. Their lives intertwine further as they frequently cross paths within their apartment complex. After Christian sustains an injury, Aaron steps in to care for him, leading to a series of charged encounters that deepen their connection.

As Christian attempts to woo Aaron, he is met with firm resistance, as Aaron is perturbed by Christian’s casual assertion that sex can be devoid of meaning. Frustration mounts for Aaron, prompting an accusation of shallowness towards Christian that sends him storming out. This ignites a change within Christian, compelling him to volunteer for a charity providing meals for those affected by AIDS, where he forms a meaningful bond with one of the recipients. Simultaneously, Aaron engages in discussions with Lila, unaware of the ties she has to Christian.

Aaron’s life takes a dramatic turn when his fellow missionary, Paul Ryder, suffers a cycling accident. Shaken and despondent, Aaron inadvertently encounters Christian, who seeks to console him with a hug. The emotional turmoil of the moment leads them to share an unexpected kiss, oblivious to the return of Aaron’s other roommates. This pivotal moment incites a chain reaction that results in Aaron’s rash departure and a fallout with Ryder.

Ryder, furious at Christian for leading Aaron astray, confronts him, only for Christian to reveal that what began as a simple wager has transformed into something far more significant. With each reflection on their burgeoning bond, Ryder offers a crucial insight: Aaron’s layover in Salt Lake City could provide Christian with a chance to reach out to him.

Standing outside the airport, Christian awaits Aaron’s arrival. When they are reunited, Aaron’s reluctance dissipates as they openly confess their feelings for one another. However, a snowstorm forces them to remain together for an intimate night in a motel, where their connection intensifies. The following morning, Christian awakens to find Aaron missing, with only Aaron’s pocket watch—a treasured family heirloom—left behind.

As Christian heads back to Los Angeles, he remains unaware that Aaron has faced excommunication from his church under his father’s presiding authority. Coping with the fallout of this rejection, Aaron is urged by his mother to seek forgiveness, while his father harshly scolds him for his perceived failures. Attempts to unveil his truth to his mother end with a stinging slap, casting Aaron deeper into emotional turmoil.

Back in Los Angeles, Christian remains ignorant of the chaos enveloping Aaron’s life, who grapples with his identity and the rejection from his family. Under pressure to “correct” their son, Aaron’s parents enroll him in a conversion therapy program. The detrimental effects of this misguided initiative are starkly revealed when Christian faces Aaron’s mother, who accuses him of causing her son’s distress.

In a cloud of sorrow, Christian mistakenly believes Aaron has taken his own life. Gripped by grief, he travels to Idaho, shedding tears as he returns the pocket watch to Aaron’s mother, only to find that Aaron has indeed survived but is locked in a battle with his new reality.

Meanwhile, Julie attempts to create a song inspired by Christian’s journal entries documenting their chaotic relationship. This act ignites turmoil when Christian discovers that she has appropriated his personal experiences without permission. Unbeknownst to them, Aaron overhears the emotionally charged lyrics during his time in treatment, which reignite his determination to reconnect with Christian.

When Aaron arrives at Christian’s apartment to find a stranger answers the door, despair washes over him, leading him to fear that Christian has moved on. Heartbroken and uncertain, he seeks comfort from Lila at her restaurant, where he shares the tale of his self-exploration and pain. Just when things seem bleak, Christian enters, flooding with joy at the sight of Aaron, alive and thriving.

As they embrace and prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving with Christian’s colleagues, Lila offers a heartwarming reminder: “No matter what, you will always have a place at my table, and a place in my heart.”