Concerned about approaching a multi-cultural story, Dutcher said he relied heavily on advisers, one a former African American gang member. "This is the first time I've heard that criticism. I hope it doesn't come across that way to the African American audience . . . I've hated it whenever I've seen Mormon characters misrepresented" in film.

Dutcher said the criticism reminded him of some of his "conservative Mormon friends that don't want to see their people presented in anything but the most positive way." He said all of the characters were in need of God's grace.

Salt Lake Tribune columnist Robert Kirby said Latter-day Saints are "probably the only group in the world that want to present a stereotypical image, even though it's a lie. We're going to have to confront our image in ways like this that bring into view the full scope of the world view. If we're going to do that, we have to focus on the common human traits we share with everyone."

David Rowe of the Salt Lake Theological Seminary said he found himself wondering "to what extent is Dutcher a pluralist in affirming all these different faith traditions. I don't think so. He is a Mormon. The language is not overt about it being the 'one true church,' but there is some of that there."

Roger Keller, professor of religion at Brigham Young University and a former Protestant minister, said he was "wowed" by the film. "I think there are some Latter-day Saints who would want to see these characters as not real. There are some of us who don't want to see the real side of life, maybe. But it's there that we encounter grace, when we find people who are broken like we all are."

Two audience members asked Dutcher why he presented a father of one of the LDS missionaries as unloving and more concerned about appearances than his own son. He said since coming to Utah he's heard a bothersome phrase directed toward some missionaries, and the line appears in the film: "I'd rather have you come home in a coffin than without your honor (intact)."

"I don't know how anyone who believes in the gospel of Jesus Christ can say such a thing. It's despicable," he said.

The event was sponsored by the SLC Film Center.

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E-mail: carrie@desnews.com