Defying Gravity

By:
In-House Review - Dec 16 2011

This earnest low budget drama centers around a college student who is to come to terms with his closeted gay sexuality. Griff (Daniel Chilson) is a seemingly happy jock who blends in comfortably with his sex-starved, towel-snapping, group-showering fraternity brothers at a Southern California University. But, in reality, he's a gay man who has been clandestinely involved with Pete (Don Handfield), his cute boyhood friend. An argument ensues after Pete begins to pressure him to be more open about their relationship. After they part, Pete is attacked by gay-bashers, an action which leads Griff to question his life of lies. While the plot outline may seem like a gay After School Special, the film does raise some important issues. It is most effective in debunking the myth that the trauma of coming out is a thing of the past or affecting only those in rural or suburban settings - it demonstrates quite well that accepting one's sexual self can be just as difficult for inner city college students today.

By: Amos Lassen

"DEFYING GRAVITY"
A College Education
Amos Lassen
"Defying Gravity" (Wolfe Video) is a film that you can't help but like even with all of its flaws and pauses that say nothing. There is a great deal of deep emotion as opposed to cheap sentimentality and the script has all good intentions. It's like a cute little kitten that you just want to pick up and hug. The story is believable and everything seems right on.
There is political incorrectiveness, the movie was made on a shoestring of a budget, the photography is not great and most of the cast are amateurs, but so what? When the two guys in the movie tell each other of their true feelings, all of the rest seems of no importance. The movie is filled with heart and soul and concentrates on the beauty of love. Gravity is defied when baseness and immortality are swept away and what we see is sincere devotion and profane introspection. It is a simple, unpretentious and unsophisticated jewel of a movie.
The movie hits hard despite its flaws. It takes a while to get into the film, until you are halfway to the end you feel uncomfortable with it. Fraternity life is depicted as too convincing. The idea of buying into a group that pretends camaraderie is preposterous (although many of us that went to college actually did the same). It seemed as if we were off on a tour of college fraternity life and then something wonderful happened. The movie began to gather momentum just as I was ready to say, "I've seen enough"
Let's take a look at what the film is all about. The basic idea of the movie is about defying who you really are. And deals with our, as gay people, or greatest fear-being bashed because of who we are. Griff, a college student has to hide his sexual identity and has to change pronouns because his date to a party is a he and not a she, By doing this his actions define the title of the film. He does not defy gravity; he doesn't defy the reality of being himself and this is hard as defying gravity. Griff is frustrated because he must listen to his straight friend's tales of lust and love and his friend Pete is frustrated because Griff won't let anyone know that they are gay lovers. This pain is heightened when Pete is gay-bashed and Griff has information about the crime but he knows by telling it, he will out himself.
It is the sincerity of the film that won me over. As we reached the climax, my disinterest changed to smiles and compassion. Sometimes it takes great moral courage and character to do the right thing. Griff, played by Daniel Chilson, underplays with almost sheer perfection. He exhibits repressed middle-class indecisiveness and he shows us that the major decisions in life come only after soul searching and slow deliberation. Even with the lack of acting talent, the movie touches us on many different levels.
"Defying Gravity" is a beautiful little love story. It is simple, doesn't preach and looks at issues that concern us greatly Even though the plot is predictable, it squarely and unapologetically addresses and depicts love in many of its forms----the asexual, friendship love between Griff and his friend Todd, who tries so hard to understand him, the love of Griff and Pete which rises to a beautiful crescendo in the hospital scene (that will almost make you swoon due to its beauty, and parental love for their son,
"Defying Gravity" is a beautiful gift to receive as it takes us in, wraps us in love and makes us feel all warm and fuzzy. Forget the problems, sit back and be encompassed by pleasure while watching it.

By: Bob in Mpls

By: LM

I know the knocks against this movie, Daniel Chilson takes some big hits for his acting (although I think a bit of editing and directing here and there could have cleaned it up alot). But I've seen much much worse in some high budget mainstream movies. Even though there are a few cheesy moments in Chilson's acting, there are times I think he knocks it out of the park. I can feel the pain and the denial in his character, If he can do that, he must have done something right. As mentioned the story is simple, but I think done very well for a low budget. Sometimes you don't have to say the word "gay" or the words "I love you". In fact I almost feel like "I love you" from these characters would almost be unbelievable, at least at this point in their lives.
Don Handfiels does a great job. The guy that plays Doogie did a great job also. Didn't we all go to school with someone like him?
Many times I come back and watch this movie because its a good, easy movie to watch. It also reminds me of how I dealt (or didn't) with coming out at that age.
Good movie to have on the shelf, you will probably watch more than once.

By: Musss7

This may not be the most romantic gay film ever. It also may not be the most daring or sexy gay film ever... but for me, sometimes I like to watch a simple story, with a nice casts and a good ending. Not too twisted but still a small twisted. Not too complicated but still some challenges. Overall, I just like to watch this movie for weekend or holidays. There are some scenes that I love including the part where Griff and Pete realized that they have same feelings, the part where Griff choosing underpants for Pete's Mom to bring to the hospital and the part where Griff meet the 'cute' and hunky couple (the owner) at the gay cafe.

By: Buecherwurm

One of the few film that really melt my heart. Cute Daniel Chilson (how does he do that smile?) loves his "buddy" but only can admit it when he is bashed. Very interesting plot with many moving scenes (e.g. the father addressing Griff in the hospital!) and thankfully a happy ending! I really recommend this film, maybe it's good that it's not a Hollywood production, just seems more honest!

By: DDC

IT was never intended to be (I hope). It is a good film about coming out, growing up and being yourself, whatever that may be. The indie production IS obvious, however, the acting was better than past "gay movies" I've seen and I especially love the hiking/camping location seen toward the end of the movie. I like movies that don't "preach" too much, but try to have a message. Learn, live, love that's my motto.

By: Kodiak Bear

Defying Gravity is a pretty good film on coming out. Set in the confines
of a fraternity, The movie deals with a frat boy named Griff, and his
relationship with fellow frater Paul.
Who he's been with at Paul's off campus apartment.
Their relationship is strained because Griff wants to show a strait face
to his fellow fraters. While Paul wants him to be honest with himself about what he really is, a gay man. Thats basically what the movie is
about. There is a gay bashing as a sub plot. Which is supose to act as a catalyst for Griff's conversion to honesty.
In all I can say that this is not a bad little movie, Considering that it
came from Wolfe Video. A production co that put out such dogs as In the Flesh.

By: Luis Rolando

Anyone who has seen their fair share of gay-themed films can tell what kind of movie Defying Gravity is just from viewing the trailer. If you subject yourself to watching it after this point, it's either out of morbid curiosity or you really think the lead is cute. Sure, Daniel Chilson is cute, but the poor boy couldn't act to save his own life, and apparently he realized this as he's never done another film since. It's bad enough we have to deal with him, but then we have a script which contains dialogue like "You're nothing but a big fat liar!" This film isn't the worst I've seen, but it doesn't even fall under the average category for me. Watch Get Real instead.

By: tony

One can find fault with anything, but to look for fault in a queer positive indie flick like this one will ruin the experience of just letting yourself go with the story.

Every negative about the film mentioned is true to some extent, however I would rather have this film with the flaws than not have it at all. I truly enjoyed it. It is not jaded, gritty, or erotic - it is a basically sweet movie that expresses one aspect of being young and gay.

By: Ric

Yes this movie is rather amateurishly done. Some of the acting is mediocre at best. However I have been drawn back to watching this movie over and over. The main characters do a great job despite some poor dialogue. This is a theme that all gays must be concerned about and I give credit to these people for attempting a hard subject and throwing in a really true romantic overtone.

By: GlennCT

OK, so here it is: as subjective a review as possible of the coming-out film
"Defying Gravity"... it's a real mix of good and bad.
BAD: Much of the film is amateurish, specifically the dialogue. Fratboys
spout off 2-D anti-gay epithets and guzzle ; the inevitable lesbian
character strikes up a friendship with our hero, even though there's nothing
truly drawing the two together.
GOOD: The overall theme and plot are handled nicely and relatively believably, without
any major, over-the-top dramatics. (One exception: the coincidence that the climax of the film is based is really not buyable.)
BAD: The bulk of the acting is mediocre at best.
GOOD: The exceptions here are Don Handfield (as the hero's secret lover),
who completely out-acts the remainder of the ensemble by just playing it
natural; and Linna Carter (the aforementioned lesbian confidante) who could
be the next-big-thing... only she doesn't have nearly enough to say in this
film, nor enough lines to say it.
BAD: Clunky editing... but I've seen far worse.
GOOD: Hey, this film was shot on $120k in 13 days... and for that it looks
really quite good. Compare the quality here to, say, "And Then Came Summer"
and you'll see what I mean.
BAD: The film tends to skirt around the more intense scenes, always a little
afraid of opening up.
GOOD, AND MOST OF ALL: The film's heart is in the right place.
Writer/Director John Keitel exhibits a kindness to his characters and to the
coming-out process itself. Yes, a violent act takes place... but it's all
handled with thought and reason.
THE VERDICT: In the end, I liked this movie... I've seen enough first-time
films that turn out catastrophically bad (i.e. Wally White's pathetic, nasty
"Lie Down With Dogs") to appreciate one that doesn't. I'd like to see John
Keitel direct more... maybe someone else's script next time?

By: skinnyebert

Yeah its a low budget film, but don't let that stop ya! For all its script problems--the actors still deliver. Its the little things that occur in this film without anything being said that make it remarkable. You get pulled in to it like a good soap opera. You can't help watching adorable people overcome dramtic obstacles. This films leaves you with a great feeling of love and understanding.

By: disappointed

I was a bit disappointed with this film. It had a lot of potential, none realized. I don't think they ever mention the word 'gay' in the entire movie, nor do the two protagonists, actually say 'I love you' during the entire thing. It treated being gay as something best left unsaid, and unfortunately, that was also what happened to the message the movie tried to convey

By: Tom

I thought this was a "romantic-movie" for the gay community! It left me with a warm feeling inside! I was so much into John's (Griff) and Pete's life I wanted to see MORE! ;-) I wanted to see HOW it would turn out! It gives me, even though it's not relastic, hope on how other JOCKS accept one of heir own, who just happens to be "gay"! And wouldn't it be nice IF ALL parents were as understanding as Pete's were! And a friend as understanding as Todd. I don't think Griff could have seen his way clear without Todd's help!
Overall, it made me feel geat inside! ;-)