The Falls: Testament of Love

It isn't often a sequel bests an original. I loved the original film, The Falls, and said it left me wanting more. Well, this is more in a BIG, BIG way, but don't watch it until you've seen the first one! It focuses more on Chris where the first film focused on RJ, which sets the stage well for what is to come. I am not Mormon, so I can only imagine the degree to which gay Mormons suffer trying to be faithful to themselves and their religion despite their religion not being faithful to them. This film deals with that in a very straightforward way, and we can feel for not just what the boys go through but how tortured their families become as well when trying to deal with a gay child, sibling or mate. This is a powerful film, and leaves the door wide open for yet a 3rd installment if they so choose...this is one viewer who would stand in a very long line to see it!

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!).

2nd installment of this movie is even better. As i reviewed in my first installment and another top review here pointed out this movie relates so much to religiously persecuted yet still religious communities. The most closest one that come is Islam. And as a closeted muslim man this one touched heart.

I felt every emotion that portrayed. I felt every body move they made. I felt their longing. I felt their pain. i imagined my lover's touch while watching them.

Also the soundtracks were gold. The one played during their forbidden love making (Once I believed) is clearly gonna play nonstop in my ears for next week. I even can see i am marrying to this soundtrack.

Again this all may seem so cringe to average people and i dont blame. But this brings up so much emotions. And unless you have been to this position theres no way one can understand this pain no matter how much considerate and sympathetic they are.

i applaud the directors and main cast to be so realistic and such a good performance. And i demand a 4th installment.

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.

The post mission world of Mormon kids Nick Ferucci and Benjamin Farmer is the subject of Testament Of Love. Unfortunately if you didn't see the first film The Falls you might have trouble picking things up. The first film concentrated on Ferucci and his family, in Testament Of Love it is Farmer and his family that are the focal point.

Ironic since it was Farmer who initiated things on their mission it was Ferucci who went back home and came out of the closet. He went on the promised three month road trip with Farmer from the first film and then when both returned communication ceased from Farmer's end.

Word that their friend Brian Allard whom they met on the mission has passed on. That reunites them. And Ferucci finds out that Farmer is now married to Hannah Barefoot. Farmer has never come out of the closet and now he's leading the typical Mormon lifestyle married to a nice Mormon girl who is expected to bear lots of Mormon kids.

When Ferucci who breaks up with a boy friend he has and incidentally breaks that young man's heart goes to Salt Lake City to find Farmer the inevitable happens. A story told many times over in thousands of homes, maybe told best in Brokeback Mountain where both Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal are married.

I have no doubt this is played out in many a Mormon household as well. Worse there since the Church of Latter Days Saints is the focal point of the community not just a place you go on Sunday to communicate with the Deity. Still the alternatives are either suicide or a life of repression. Too many choose those alternatives.

Hannah Barefoot's story is also a tale told many times. The woman who marries a closet case and then wonders what she did wrong. She gives the best performance in the film.

I hope Testament Of Love gets a few showings in Salt Lake City, but I doubt it. Still you never know.