The Falls: Testament of Love

Such a unique, challenging and beautiful story. Very well acted...the Cinematography is a vast improvement on the original. The story takes its time...which I loved.

I happened to see this quite by accident after I saw Part 1 The Falls just this weekend--also by accident. Didn't know a sequel was done, and I'm so glad there was one. I felt the story wasn't complete. Anyway, I fell in love with both characters. In particular, RJ's character comes across as the epitome of genuineness; unafraid to say what he's thinking and feeling, and unashamed of who he is becoming. Testament of Love gave me the closure I needed to this story. Both actors were brilliant, and my heart ached for both. Being from the church, I could totally relate to what they were going through and for that reason, I was deeply moved. I've seen lots of gay-themed movies, but this one was one of the most powerful I've seen in decades. The entire cast was incredible and showed such powerful emotions. I really cannot praise this movie enough.

My heart ached throughout most of this movie. I loved the first "The Falls" and was sad that it had to end the way it did, not knowing how Chris and RJ's lives would pan out. Well now we know! Perhaps for me it is nice to see a gay relationship movie about fairly run of the mill characters. They aren't buff, don't have fabulous jobs and don't hang out at nude beaches or bars 24/7. in fact it seems both the boys lives have come to be in somewhat of a rut. But what they do have is an extraordinary desire to be happy with themselves, even when the odds are stacked against them. For this reason the film has a lot of soul. I felt like a warm blanket had been wrapped around me when these two finally meet up again. Chris's self inflicted pain is palpable and we are never too sure how in fact their lives may continue. As friends? As enemies? As lovers? For some unfortunate reason the audio in parts, is terrible, which is a shame given the high standard of everything else about the movie. I also found the Anniversary party scene to be unnecessary, and unlikely. I felt it added a selfishness to the main characters that tainted my opinion slightly. In the end however, I fell overwhelming in love, again, with the unmistakable bond between Chris and RJ. Warning, some full frontal nudity. (Oh go on, go see it just for that!).

I'm going to assume that anyone considering this movie has already seen The Falls. If you haven't, you should. This is a sequel, and you need to have seen The Falls first. Therefore, I won't waste time telling who RJ and Chris are and what happened between them in the past.

I suspect that most fans of The Falls are going to love this one too, so you may want to stop reading now and just see the movie. It continues the gay Mormon theme of the original in a different setting.

It's five years later. Chris is back in Salt Lake, has been reabsorbed into Mormonism, has turned hetero through therapy and self-control, is making oodles of moolah as a pharma rep, is happily married and has a daughter.

RJ has not returned to Mormonism (although he still wears the underwear and believes most of the teachings), has a dreamboat lover named Paul who adores him, and is making ends meet writing for a magazine in Seattle.

RJ and Chris meet again for the first time at Rodney the stoner's funeral. RJ dumps Paul (a real catch and played by the best actor in either movie) and goes to Salt Lake to get Chris back. Much drama ensues. I'll stop there.

I LOVED The Falls - it was SO much better than the highly overrated Latter Days. But I have three problems with the sequel.

First, it adds nothing significant to the original, just recycles the same angst in a new town. Maybe gay Mormons need an endless series of Star Wars-like sequels and prequels, but this non-Mormon gay has had enough of it already.

Second, there's no believable attraction between RJ and Chris this time. It's compulsive, not erotic at all. Not one spark. Totally unbelievable, unless both guys are so neurotic now that they will do anything to be miserable. (Besides, the guy who plays Chris has gotten creepy looking - really weird eyes like a lizard).

Third, this sequel has the gall to set up for yet ANOTHER sequel, just as The Empire Strikes Back did. Lucas pulled it off, but Jon Garcia should have stopped at one.

Who needs acrimonious reality when movies like this serve Utopian fantasy?

The Falls Testament of Love is a vivid portrayal of lingering love, longings and affection, and how lost feelings are reclaimed - and how it implores for liberty from God, religion, society and surrounding inhibitions. This movie is a masterly exploration of the process of regaining lost love and developing courage to be who you are.

The movie captures conversations between characters that go deeper and argumentative, creating a space for emotional catharsis where we find ourselves enthralled. It is literally hard to resist what its lead gay characters make you feel. RJ and Chris are two estranged lovers poised between the spirit of love and the price of love.

This film, which is an extension of the first part, has illuminated the fact that you will never be able to shroud your true self or entrap your eternally unfulfilled desire. No matter how mighty-hearted you pretend to be - no matter how many layers of denial you manufacture against your wants - it will eventually explode and leave you vulnerable.

The movie is an absolute triumph of love, indeed. Nick is fascinating to watch, a feast to your gay eyes...he has got a face that reflects unstudied emotions. And Hats Off to Mr Garcia for bringing it to us.