Latter Days (2004) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A forbidden relationship survives religious rejection, emotional crisis, separation, and renewed hope.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

Neighbors and First Desires

Aaron arrives in Los Angeles as a missionary and becomes Christian's neighbor. Christian's wager leads to flirtation, an injury, and a confrontation over the meaning of sex.

Key Events

• Mission to Los Angeles — Aaron is sent from Idaho to Los Angeles with fellow missionaries. Characters: Elder Aaron Davis Location: Los Angeles
• Adjacent Apartments — The missionaries move into an apartment next to Christian. Characters: Elder Aaron Davis, Christian Markelli Location: Los Angeles apartment complex
• The Seduction Bet — Christian bets coworkers that he can seduce a missionary. Characters: Christian Markelli Location: Lila's restaurant
• First Apartment Encounters — Aaron and Christian become acquainted through repeated encounters. Characters: Elder Aaron Davis, Christian Markelli Location: Apartment complex
• Wound and Rescue — Aaron helps Christian indoors and cleans his accidental injury. Characters: Elder Aaron Davis, Christian Markelli Location: Apartment complex
• Failed Seduction — Christian tries to seduce Aaron, but Aaron rejects his view of casual sex. Characters: Elder Aaron Davis, Christian Markelli Location: Apartment

Compassion Changes Christian

Christian begins serving meals to people with AIDS and gains a more compassionate perspective. Aaron also forms a friendship with Lila, creating a separate source of emotional connection.

Key Events

• Charity Meals — Christian delivers meals to people with AIDS through a charity. Characters: Christian Markelli Location: Los Angeles charity route
• A New Perspective — A friendship with a beneficiary changes Christian's understanding of compassion. Characters: Christian Markelli Location: Charity recipient's home
• Aaron Meets Lila — Aaron befriends Lila without knowing her connection to Christian. Characters: Elder Aaron Davis, Lila Montagne Location: Los Angeles

Love Against Authority

After a cycling accident, Christian comforts Aaron and they kiss. Aaron is sent home, while Christian recognizes that his feelings have moved beyond the original wager.

Key Events

• Cycling Accident — A fellow missionary suffers a cycling accident, upsetting Aaron. Characters: Elder Aaron Davis Location: Los Angeles streets
• The First Kiss — Christian comforts Aaron, and their embrace becomes a kiss. Characters: Elder Aaron Davis, Christian Markelli Location: Missionary apartment
• Missionary Expulsion — Aaron is sent home in disgrace after the kiss is discovered. Characters: Elder Aaron Davis Location: Missionary apartment
• Christian Admits Love — Christian admits the bet began their relationship but no longer defines it. Characters: Christian Markelli Location: Los Angeles apartment
• Airport Layover Clue — Christian learns that Aaron has a layover in Salt Lake City. Characters: Christian Markelli Location: Los Angeles apartment

Separation and Despair

Aaron and Christian confess their love during an airport layover and spend an intimate night together. Aaron then returns home, faces religious rejection, attempts suicide, and enters treatment.

Key Events

• Airport Confession — Christian confesses love, and Aaron admits he shares those feelings. Characters: Elder Aaron Davis, Christian Markelli Location: Salt Lake City airport
• Snowbound Motel Night — Canceled flights force Aaron and Christian to spend an intimate night together. Characters: Elder Aaron Davis, Christian Markelli Location: Motel near Salt Lake City
• The Heirloom Watch — Christian wakes to find Aaron gone and his family watch left behind. Characters: Christian Markelli, Elder Aaron Davis Location: Motel room
• Religious Rejection — Aaron is excommunicated and rejected after returning home. Characters: Elder Aaron Davis Location: Idaho
• Despair and Treatment — Aaron attempts suicide and is sent to treatment intended to change his orientation. Characters: Elder Aaron Davis Location: Idaho treatment facility
• Watch Returned — Christian returns Aaron's watch and leaves after causing alarm. Characters: Christian Markelli Location: Davis home in Idaho

A Place at the Table

Christian returns Aaron's watch, while a song based on Christian's journal reaches Aaron in treatment. Aaron returns to Los Angeles, and the two reunite at Lila's restaurant before celebrating Thanksgiving together.

Key Events

• Song from the Journal — A coworker turns Christian's journal entry into a song and video. Characters: Christian Markelli Location: Los Angeles apartment
• Aaron Hears the Song — Aaron hears the song on television and decides to return to Los Angeles. Characters: Elder Aaron Davis Location: Treatment facility
• Empty Apartment — Aaron finds a stranger at the apartment and believes Christian has moved on. Characters: Elder Aaron Davis Location: Christian's apartment
• Reunion at Lila's — Christian finds Aaron alive, and they reconcile at the restaurant. Characters: Elder Aaron Davis, Christian Markelli, Lila Montagne Location: Lila's restaurant
• Thanksgiving Table — The group celebrates Thanksgiving as Lila offers lasting acceptance. Characters: Elder Aaron Davis, Christian Markelli, Lila Montagne Location: Lila's restaurant

Story Breakdown

• Missionary Arrival — Aaron enters Los Angeles under religious obligations and encounters a radically different social world.
  • Idaho Assignment — Aaron is sent to Los Angeles with fellow missionaries.
  • Apartment Neighbors — The missionaries move next to Christian and begin crossing paths with him.
• The Seduction Bet — Christian initially treats Aaron as the target of a wager, creating the first source of deception.
  • Coworker Challenge — Christian bets that he can seduce one of the missionaries.
  • Failed Advance — Aaron rejects Christian after a disagreement about casual intimacy.
• Compassion Awakens — Christian begins to question his shallow assumptions through charitable service and friendship.
  • Meal Deliveries — Christian delivers meals to people with AIDS.
  • Changed Perspective — A friendship with a beneficiary deepens Christian's empathy.
• Forbidden First Kiss — Aaron and Christian's emotional connection becomes physical and triggers institutional consequences.
  • Accident Fallout — A fellow missionary's cycling accident leaves Aaron distressed.
  • Missionary Expulsion — Aaron is sent home after he and Christian are discovered kissing.
• Airport Love Confession — Christian pursues Aaron and both men openly acknowledge their love.
  • Layover Discovery — Christian learns that Aaron will pass through Salt Lake City.
  • Snowbound Night — Canceled flights lead to an intimate night in a motel.
• Religious Rejection — Aaron returns to Idaho and faces condemnation, family rejection, and forced treatment.
  • Excommunication — Church elders remove Aaron from the religious community.
  • Desperate Treatment — Aaron attempts suicide and is placed in a facility intended to change his orientation.
• The Watch and Song — Christian preserves Aaron's memory while an artistic work becomes the path toward renewed contact.
  • Heirloom Return — Christian returns Aaron's pocket watch to the family home.
  • Televised Message — A song based on Christian's journal reaches Aaron in treatment.
• Reunion at Lila's — Aaron returns to Los Angeles, finds Christian, and enters a community built on acceptance.
  • Restaurant Search — Aaron goes to Lila's restaurant after believing Christian has moved on.
  • Thanksgiving Welcome — Christian and Aaron reconcile, and Lila offers everyone a lasting place at her table.

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