The Falls: Testament of Love

Having been born into the LDS Church, growing up in Salt Lake City and being the eldest of 15 offspring I can honestly say that this trilogy was VERY true to life. The Mormon religion is drilled and inculcated into every aspect of children's lives so that by the time those children reach adolescence or adulthood they are completely unaware that the rest of the world is different. I knew even at the age of 8, when I was baptized at the Mormon Tabernacle, that I was attracted to other males. By the time I was 14 I seriously began to question the doctrines after I was called into my father and stepmother's bedroom and accused of leading my younger half-brother into sin by demonstrating how to masturbate (I didn't touch him and HE came to me and asked me to show him). Six months later that half-brother felt guilty and told his mother about what had happened. My father and stepmother immediately jumped to the conclusion that I was homosexual and therefore a pedophile and threw me out of the house that night, in mid-January. Later that summer I was blackmailed into participating in conversion therapy. When I was 19 I was actually called into the local Bishop's office and asked to go on a mission. I declined because by then I was well aware of my sexual orientation and besides, I didn't truly believe in the church, so how could I convert others?In retrospect I'm very glad that I declined as I had a number of gay friends who went on missions, 2 of which got sent home when they were discovered being intimate with their mission companions, which is the beginning of this story. I subsequently witnessed 3 of them get married and have children, only to eventually come out, causing the kind of heartache and feelings of betrayal that are portrayed so well in the 2nd film.It's obvious to me that as people begin to awaken to the truth, fundamentalist religions like Mormonism are going to find themselves more and more abandoned and left to themselves, unless they adapt to serve their members rather than inculcating draconian values that cause pain and anguish. I also take except to always referring to God in the male gender, more specifically as Heavenly Father. In Sunday School I remember asking, "Who is our Heavenly Mother?" for which I was told to keep my mouth shut.The deep love that Chris and RJ felt for one another was immediately obvious to me. I'm grateful for writers, directors, producers, actors and film distribution companies that are willing to fund and distribute films like this, which undoubtedly bring great comfort and hope to those who find themselves in similar situations.I describe these events in my own life because they were extremely well portrayed in this trilogy. I was willing to look beyond a small amount of stiff acting because everything else was so believable, especially the main actors. Watching these three films (I bought the trilogy set on DVD after watching the 2nd and 3rd film on Amazon) brought back many memories, both sad and sweet. I LOVED this trilogy! Overall I'd give these films 10 stars if it was possible.

*Contains spoilers*The Falls: Testament of Love is probably one of the better sequels I've seen to a movie. I would even go as far to say that I liked it more than the original movie -- which is saying a lot, because I really liked the first movie. I was delighted to find out there was a sequel.I think because of the way the first movie ended, the audience expects the sequel to be all about R.J. and Chris as a happy couple. In fact, the movie is more about them as individuals and the struggles they face. While R.J. has decided to remain true to who he is and stay out of the closet, Chris feels the pressure of his family and religious faith and attempts to retract back to the person who he was -- or the person he knew others wanted him to be. In doing so, he completely cuts R.J. out of his life without warning, and meets a woman who he decides to marry, and they have a child together. He has the perfect marriage, the perfect house, the perfect job -- at least it appears that way to anyone who is looking in from the outside.R.J. and Chris see each other again when their friend Rodney passes away and they attend his funeral. This opens a can of worms for Chris, because he quickly finds out that seeing R.J. again only confirms who he is, and has brought back all the feelings he had when they were together. Chris is initially angry with R.J. for showing up back up in his life and making him confused about who he is, once again; but comes to understand that he can't go on living a lie anymore.This movie was well-written, well-acted, as was believable, as the first one was. Nick Ferrucci and Ben Farmer are both phenomenal. You really feel the struggle and the love these characters go through.I really enjoyed watching this movie and highly recommend it. Also - the special features on the DVD are awesome! It has behind the scenes footage and featurettes of both movies. There's also bloopers, deleted scenes, outtakes, and the Q&A session of the screening. This DVD is well worth purchasing!

Watch all three movies back-to-back. They really are great, and each one is better than the one before. Nick Ferrucci and Benjamin Farmer have great, believable chemistry. Nick Ferrucci is such an impressive actor, and offers so much emotion. The supporting cast across the board is sort of hit or miss; there are some confusing performances and some great performances. The trilogy of films is by no means a masterpiece. But that doesn't matter. It's a trilogy that keeps it simple while presenting a story that is easy to connect with. Like I said, each of the three films is better than the one before. Watch them back-to-back.

I loved The Falls so much but this is even more moving. You never think of this as a low budget film as the music, the direction and the writing are so good. Casting was incredible as every character delivered really nuanced performances. I don't know who is stronger in their parts, RJ or Chris. I thought the mother was a tad young, but she delivered a powerhouse performance . The small part played by RJ's boyfriend was made a big part by his acting and charisma. This is a family drama that looks at the issues head on. Chris's wife is so unbelievably gorgeous and such an embodiment of the perfect Mormon wife. She makes a difficult part into a very sympathetic one. I have a hard time watching it straight through as it is so very intense I need breaks to process. I was raised in a very religious home and had to come out to my parents back in the '80's when it was even more conservative than now. I have watched these films many times.

A great follow-up to the first film. The ending leaves one demanding a third film with a happy ending for the principal characters.

it is real in life.

The concept of this film is better than its realisation. "The Falls: Testament of Love" is about two gay/bisexual L.D.S. Mormons, who had been missionary companions, together having an homosexual love affair on their mission, who were dismissed, who enjoyed a leisurely amourous gay roadtrip before parting seemingly for good, and who now reunite five years later. The premise of sexual ardour reignited, love coming out of remission, and how that impacts the life of the one of the two young men who has married, is the stuff of a first-rate romantic epic. However, as good as the concept is, the slow pacing and languid timing of this plodding video-movie is anything but adequately cinematic. Truly banal, inept dialogue does not help things along one little bit. The acting per se, for all of that, mostly is quite fine, however numerous the faults of the script and direction are.The film, given its subject and the relentless sincerity of it all, is worth seeing and keeping for later (much, much later!) viewing again. It helps that neither the original "The Falls" (QC Cinema QCC-343 being the North American DVD edition viewed) nor this sequel, "The Falls: Testament of Love" (of which QC Cinema QCC-378 is the DVD edition viewed), makes light of Mormonism. There is a successful attempt, indeed, to portray Mormonism authentically and without undue mockery or vituperation. (This assessment coming from the writer of these lines, who directly experienced life and Utah family heritage, dissolute Grandpa's ongoing discreet polygamy and all, in childhood within the pagan L.D.S. cult.) Such restraint counts among the positive assets of this surely made-for-video movie.Despite all of these good elements, many will find this sequel to be intolerably dreary, given its pace and also the inept yammering that constitutes the dialogue. As for any nudity, the movie does show some bare skin, but the only full-frontally naked display occurs in a brief glimpse of the less handsome (and less physically fit, even somewhat pudgy) of the Mormon male duo while he is showering. The best recommendation is to see the first of the two films and, if one really reacts positively enough to it, then (and only then) to see the follow-up, gearing up oneself for a lot of earnest boredom along the way. It is nice, after all, to know what happens later (i.e., after the time of the first film's action) to these appealing, good-looking, and intensely serious lads.

Enjoyed this movie, found it better than I thought it was going to be. Not without its faults, but not a silly dud like some of the genre.

It was okay. Story is fine and not sure Mormon matter as much as religion of any sort that pushes for non-acceptance.