Latter Days (2004) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A Mormon missionary and a gay party boy navigate faith, prejudice, and unexpected love in Los Angeles.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

The Bet and the Bond

Elder Aaron Davis arrives in Los Angeles as a missionary and moves in next to Christian Markelli. Christian makes a bet to seduce Aaron, leading to initial encounters and a wound-cleaning incident that sparks tension.

Key Events

• Missionary Arrival in LA — Aaron and his roommates move into an apartment next to Christian and Julie. Characters: Elder Aaron Davis, Christian Markelli Location: Apartment Complex
• The Seduction Bet — Christian bets he can seduce one of the Mormon missionaries. Characters: Christian Markelli Location: Lila's Restaurant
• Wound Cleaning Encounter — Aaron helps Christian indoors and cleans his accidental injury. Characters: Elder Aaron Davis, Christian Markelli Location: Apartment
• Shallow Accusation — Aaron rejects Christian's advances, accusing him of being shallow. Characters: Elder Aaron Davis, Christian Markelli Location: Apartment

Faith and Fracture

Christian's shallow remark causes Aaron to reject him, pushing Christian toward charity work. Aaron befriends Lila, but a cycling accident and a subsequent comforting kiss shatter Aaron's religious discipline.

Key Events

• Shallow Accusation — Aaron rejects Christian's advances, accusing him of being shallow. Characters: Elder Aaron Davis, Christian Markelli Location: Apartment
• Charity Meal Delivery — Christian joins a charity to deliver meals to AIDS patients. Characters: Christian Markelli Location: Los Angeles Streets
• Friendship with Lila — Aaron meets and befriends Lila, unaware of her connection to Christian. Characters: Elder Aaron Davis, Lila Montagne Location: Lila's Restaurant
• Paul's Cycling Accident — Aaron's fellow missionary Paul Ryder suffers a cycling accident. Characters: Elder Aaron Davis Location: Apartment Complex
• The Comforting Kiss — Christian hugs a distraught Aaron, leading to an overwhelming kiss. Characters: Elder Aaron Davis, Christian Markelli Location: Apartment
• Disgraceful Dismissal — Aaron is sent home in disgrace after his roommates discover the kiss. Characters: Elder Aaron Davis Location: Church Office

Exile and Despair

Aaron is sent home in disgrace and excommunicated by his father. Rejected by his family and overwhelmed by despair, he attempts suicide and is sent to a conversion treatment facility.

Key Events

• Disgraceful Dismissal — Aaron is sent home in disgrace after his roommates discover the kiss. Characters: Elder Aaron Davis Location: Church Office
• Airport Confrontation — Christian finds Aaron at the airport and confesses his love. Characters: Elder Aaron Davis, Christian Markelli Location: Airport Terminal
• Snowstorm Motel Night — Flights are canceled, and the two spend an intimate night together. Characters: Elder Aaron Davis, Christian Markelli Location: Motel Room
• The Disappearance — Aaron leaves early, leaving behind his family heirloom pocket watch. Characters: Elder Aaron Davis, Christian Markelli Location: Motel Room
• Excommunication — Aaron is excommunicated by church elders and rejected by his father. Characters: Elder Aaron Davis Location: Idaho Home
• Suicide Attempt — Overwhelmed by despair, Aaron attempts suicide and is sent to treatment. Characters: Elder Aaron Davis Location: Idaho Home
• Treatment Facility — Aaron's parents send him to a facility to change his sexual orientation. Characters: Elder Aaron Davis Location: Treatment Center

Search and Revelation

Christian travels to Idaho to return Aaron's watch, while Julie creates a song from Christian's journal. Aaron sees the video on television, realizing Christian still cares, and decides to return to Los Angeles.

Key Events

• Treatment Facility — Aaron's parents send him to a facility to change his sexual orientation. Characters: Elder Aaron Davis Location: Treatment Center
• Watch Return Visit — Christian travels to Idaho to return the watch to Aaron's mother. Characters: Christian Markelli, Elder Aaron Davis Location: Idaho Home
• Julie's Song Creation — Julie writes a song based on Christian's journal entry about the ordeal. Characters: Christian Markelli Location: Apartment
• TV Broadcast Revelation — Aaron sees Julie's video on TV, prompting his decision to return to LA. Characters: Elder Aaron Davis Location: Treatment Center
• Return to Los Angeles — Aaron travels back to Los Angeles in search of Christian. Characters: Elder Aaron Davis Location: Los Angeles Streets
• Empty Apartment — A stranger answers the door, leaving Aaron heartbroken and lost. Characters: Elder Aaron Davis Location: Christian's Apartment

Reconciliation and Grace

Aaron finds Christian's apartment empty but heads to Lila's restaurant. Christian arrives, and they share a joyful reunion. Lila hosts a Thanksgiving feast, affirming unconditional acceptance.

Key Events

• Empty Apartment — A stranger answers the door, leaving Aaron heartbroken and lost. Characters: Elder Aaron Davis Location: Christian's Apartment
• Restaurant Reunion — Christian walks into the dining room and is overjoyed to see Aaron alive. Characters: Elder Aaron Davis, Christian Markelli, Lila Montagne Location: Lila's Restaurant
• Thanksgiving Feast — The couple reconciles and celebrates Thanksgiving with Christian's co-workers. Characters: Elder Aaron Davis, Christian Markelli, Lila Montagne Location: Lila's Restaurant

Story Breakdown

• Missionary Arrival — Aaron Davis arrives in Los Angeles as a young Mormon missionary and moves into an apartment complex.
  • LA Apartment Move — Aaron and three other missionaries relocate to Los Angeles to spread their faith.
  • Neighbor Introduction — They move in next to Christian Markelli and his roommate Julie, setting up future interactions.
• The Seduction Bet — Christian makes a wager to seduce a Mormon, initiating a complex dynamic with Aaron.
  • Initial Encounters — Christian and Aaron meet through several apartment complex interactions.
  • Wound Cleaning — Aaron helps Christian after an injury, building initial trust and proximity.
  • Shallow Accusation — Aaron rejects Christian's advances after a remark about sex, creating early conflict.
• Charity and Connection — Christian seeks redemption through charity work while Aaron forms a bond with Lila.
  • AIDS Meal Delivery — Christian delivers meals to AIDS patients, gaining new life insights.
  • Lila Friendship — Aaron befriends Lila, unaware of her connection to Christian.
  • Paul's Accident — A cycling accident involving Paul Ryder leaves Aaron distraught and vulnerable.
• The Kiss and Fallout — An emotional kiss leads to Aaron's disgrace and Christian's guilt.
  • Comforting Hug — Christian comforts Aaron, leading to an overwhelming kiss that ruins Aaron's mission.
  • Disgraceful Dismissal — Aaron is sent home in disgrace after his roommates discover the intimate moment.
  • Airport Confrontation — Christian finds Aaron at the airport and confesses his genuine love.
• Exile and Despair — Aaron faces severe religious and familial rejection, leading to a crisis.
  • Excommunication — Aaron is formally excommunicated and rejected by his father in Idaho.
  • Suicide Attempt — Overwhelmed by despair, Aaron attempts suicide and is hospitalized.
  • Treatment Facility — Aaron's parents send him to a conversion therapy center.
• Search and Return — Christian pursues Aaron to Idaho while Julie's song sparks Aaron's hope.
  • Watch Return — Christian travels to Idaho to return Aaron's pocket watch to his mother.
  • Julie's Song — Julie creates a video song based on Christian's journal, which airs on TV.
  • TV Broadcast — Aaron sees the video, realizes Christian's feelings, and decides to return to LA.
• Reconciliation — Aaron returns to LA, faces a false alarm, and finds Christian at Lila's.
  • Empty Apartment — A stranger answers Christian's door, leaving Aaron heartbroken and lost.
  • Restaurant Reunion — Christian walks into Lila's restaurant and joyfully reunites with Aaron.
  • Thanksgiving Feast — The couple celebrates with co-workers, receiving Lila's unconditional acceptance.

Directed by

C. Jay Cox

Key Cast

• Steve Sandvoss — Elder Aaron Davis
• Wes Ramsey — Christian Markelli
• Jacqueline Bisset — Lila Montagne
• Joseph Gordon-Levitt — Elder Paul Ryder
• Mary Kay Place — Sister Gladys Davis