Estimated read time: 4-5 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
OREM — For a born-and-raised Californian like me, “trek” always seemed a foreign and slightly bizarre youth activity the “Utah Mormons” reenacted each year.
I would listen to stories of other youths’ “trek” experiences with an air of trepidation and light skepticism.
I entered the SCERA Center for the Arts in Orem on the last night of the 17th annual LDS Film Festival with the same attitude as I prepared to watch “Trek: The Movie,” a film about a young LDS teenager and his friends who undertake their own modern handcart journey.
The “trek” tradition is a re-enactment of the Mormon pioneers’ journey across the U.S. as they escaped religious persecution and settled in the Utah desert. The youth in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints now don bonnets and straw hats each year to pull handcarts during a multiday trek commemorating those of the state’s ancestors.
“Trek: The Movie” follows Tom Jensen, played by Austin Grant, a Mormon teen who is only going on the trek because his dad promises to pay for his ski pass if he does so. After recently experiencing the loss of his best friend, Tom is also dealing with the loss of his faith and scoffs at the idea of a “simulated spiritual experience.”
The three-day trek tests his bravery and beliefs as he struggles with doubt and flirts with girls — because it wouldn’t be a youth activity without a little (or a lot) of flirting.
While the movie is a bit cheesy and occasionally cringe-worthy, “Trek” also introduces its audience to truly lovable characters and genuine moments that will ring true for anyone who’s ever attended — or corralled — an LDS youth activity.
Some of the most memorable characters were the film’s comic relief, including Brother Crabbe, an overzealous recent convert played by Michael Todd Behrens, who's tasked with the daunting responsibility of monitoring two teenagers that often sneak away to make out, and an ever-hungry teen named Sterling, played by Ryan Mitchel Brown.
One of the biggest laughs of the night came as Sterling watched in horror while the group re-enacted a child's burial using his sister’s doll — where he had stuffed some contraband food for the trip. The group looks on in concern as Sterling becomes distraught, until someone finally points out in confusion, “It’s just a doll, man.”
But though these two characters almost always delivered, I did cringe at some painful attempts at humor throughout the movie. The dialogue occasionally seemed like a caricature of the way teenagers speak and act, as if written by an adult with a vague knowledge of teen stereotypes.
I've never actually heard any teenager say "hashtag Satan's plan" when they don't get their way, but maybe I'm just not hip with the youth lingo these days.
Some of the more emotional moments of the film also felt slightly contrived, and those who have struggled with the loss of a loved one may feel something lacking from the film. I did, however, shed a few tears, embarrassingly enough, during a particularly touching moment as Tom talks to his best friend’s father, played by Joel Bishop, who is leading the youth on the trek.
Bishop gives a moving and genuine performance as a father who’s still questioning why he’s lost a son. While much of the film does often feel like a “simulated spiritual experience,” the moment between the grieving father and best friend is honest and real.
And for those who enjoy Mormon movies, “Trek: The Movie” will delight.
The cinematography is beautiful, because you can’t go wrong filming in Utah’s luscious landscape, and the music was fun, though occasionally excessively twangy.
While perhaps a little hokey, “Trek: The Movie” will bring back memories for those who spent their youth at LDS Church activities. In fact, 10 minutes into the movie all I had written was simply, “I’m so glad I never have to be a teenager again.”
“Trek: The Movie” opens in select theaters April 6.
