The Best Two Years

I saw this last night with my wife while we were down visiting her family in Cedar City and I was moved by the acting and by the touching messages. It was more of a serious, realistic storyline with still a lot of great humor. Unlike Singles Ward and RM (where if you aren't LDS, you might not get the one liners and jokes) this is something for a non-LDS audience to enjoy and be touched deep inside as well. I think that BEST TWO YEARS rivals GOD'S ARMY as far as warm human emotions. All four Elders were great as well as the "convert" I think that the producers have shown in this film, while they're still getting off of the ground, and maybe a bit rough around the edges, that they are trying to have versatility, versatility that they need to continue to succeed. The Comedies (HM Teachers, RM, and SIngles Ward) and the more serious and touching (Best Two Years and God's Army). I hope that they continue to make more LDS films-practice makes perfect.

I was eager to see this film, and when my roommate and I finally did we were not disappointed. Unlike some other Mormon films - the RM and Single's Ward, specifically - this was a movie with a message. It was absolutely hilarious, don't get me wrong, but it was the kind of humour that transcended Mormon culture: you don't have to be LDS to get it. There were parts of it during which I was literally in tears, it was so funny. There were also, however, parts where I was in tears for because I was moved. Watching the spiritual reawakening of Elder Rogers was wonderful, and by no means over-done or ridiculous. And while Kirby Heyborne has been cast in almost every Mormon film made, I was pleasantly surprised by his performance. His character was radically different from his previous characters, and he played it very well. Altogether I loved this movie, and will undoubtedly see it again. It was wonderful.

Now here's a "SPECIAL EDITION" DVD that really is "SPECIAL"! Not only is "THE BEST TWO YEARS" one of the finest movies made by LDS filmmakers to date, but the DVD has some nice "Extras" that make it a true "Special Edition".

The film is based on director Scott S. Anderson's personal experiences as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, while serving in Holland. Some years after his mission he wrote it into play form. A version of that play (as performed at the Promised Valley Playhouse in downtown Salt Lake City) is included as part of this DVD. You can watch it all my itself or in conjunction with the movie itself.

The DVD also includes a Filmmakers Commentary and an Actors Commentary track as well as a Making of Documentary, Outtakes & Deleted Scenes, Production Gallery and Trailers. Now that's quite a package.

The film itself is very well done, with nice location photography shot in Holland. The performances are first-rate and the directing and script sharp. Watching the film and then seeing the play version makes for an insightful look at how something personal makes it to film.

Note: If you have trouble locating a seller of this DVD, then you might want to try Deseret Book Company or Seagull Book & Tape. This one is worth tracking down. A special "Thank You" to HaleStorm Distribution for doing such a nice job on this DVD release.

From a production values point of view, this is by far the best of the "Mormon Cinema". The acting, writing, camera work and even the soundtrack are all first rate. The scenery in Holland is very beautiful as well.

The story, superbly acted by an ensemble cast, is familiar. Essentially, a newbie missionary shows up and attempts to fit in with more established, more cynical veterans. The results: After the expected bumps and false starts, they all wind up growing, and benefiting from his presence, spirit and enthusiasm... much to their own surprise. This could have been a movie about a new salesman joining the firm.... a new athlete joining the team... a new peace corps volunteer experiencing a foreign country... etc. It works because the experience is universal enough that we all can relate. But this movie still manages to give this plot vehicle a fresh face.

The humor was all genuine and very sympathetic, but nonetheless satisfying and effective. There was very little of the slapstick, low humor that is usually relied on in this kind of effort. Also, the movie conveys a sense of the actors' faith and mission, without ever being heavy-handed or preachy. They let you see what they do and why they do it, without bashing you over the head with it.

An additional bonus: They managed to make a movie, set in Holland, without a single reference or use of that country's proclivity for loose or kinky sexual mores. Holland was simply where the missionaries were stationed... nothing more. That must be some kind of a modern-day first.

I would encourage anyone, Mormon or not, to see this movie, if the goal is a pleasant, feel good, warm-hearted and funny two hours. That's what the movie promises, and that's what it delivers.

I've read the other reviews and I agree that when viewing this movie from the perspective of being native to the Netherlands it appears cliché. Don't feel bad though because the four Missionaries were composites of many Mormon clichés and stereotypes.

But this movie isn't about a country or region. It could have been in any number of the many countries Mormon Missionaries serve.

This movie is about personal growth and the experience that 60,000+ current missionaries and the hundreds of thousands who have came before.

I saw this movie the day it opened in St. George, Utah 9:35pm on a Friday night and it was almost sold out.

I thought the movie was hilarious and the room was full of laughter almost the whole way through.

In addition to teaching the Gospel, missions serve as a time of personal growth. You can see this clearly in three of the Missionaries. Growing in spirituality and maturity is often a bumpy ride, but there's a lot of fun along the way too.

I think that's the point of the movie. Christianity should bring people joy and happiness.