Breaking the Surface: The Greg Louganis Story

This is a great movie. Not a happy one, mind you, but very well directed and full of emotion. I was very impressed that this was a TV movie. The only thing distracting to me was the changing back and forth from video to film, I think it would have seemed more like a movie without the video. A very touching true story of courage and sadness, of dispair and hardship,and of hope. Excellent performances and great musical score works perfectly with the story.

I was expecting more or less a "lifetime" type movie but while it has that type of theme, this was an impressive bit of film-making. It also helps to know the real Greg oversaw the entire story and made sure that it was accurate, so you know you are getting a real "true" story. Highly recommend.

I was forced to watch this movie one night when my friend Finner said he wanted to watch it for a "research project" he was working on. During certain scenes of Mario Lopez in his swim attire, Finner was working something alright....but I digress. I was very glad I sat through this movie, as I felt my heart sing out with joy as the vibrant storytelling seemed to leap out at me.

From this movie, I learned that diving is more than just jumping into a pool at a really good angle. It's about internal struggle. It's about heartache. Most of all, however, it's about redemption. Star making performance from Mr. Lopez, who as you already know, later shot to stratospheric superstardom in the brilliant "America's Most Talented Kid". This is a truly inspiring film, and indeed, one of the ages. Not to be missed.

Despite the stigma the film attracts by being a "TV movie", Breaking The Surface is well worth a look. I read Greg Louganis' autobiography before I saw the movie, and I must admit that there were distinct advantages and disadvantages with both. The poetry of Louganis' sport was much more evident in the film - but there was a much more personal account of the man in the book. Mario Lopez acquits himself well here, and I hope he will begin to move onto better things. The rest of the performances are adequate, nothing more. The film has a distinct "not-for-the-cinema" feel about it, which is why it will never reach a greater audience than those who come across it in their movie store, or are channel-hopping and realise that the biopic of "that guy who hit his head in the Seoul Olympics Diving Board" is on.

All of this is a pity - because the movie has a lot to offer, inspiration, a lovely sense of tension, and real believability in one of this decade's true inspirations.

BREAKING THE SURFACE: THE GREG LOUGANIS STORY (1996)

Aspect ratio: 1.33:1

Sound format: Stereo

Despite acting as co-consultant, Olympic diver Greg Louganis is short-changed by Steven Hilliard Stern's conveyor belt TV movie, based on the sportsman's bestselling autobiography. The film tells a remarkable tale, encompassing everything from Louganis' struggle with his sexuality and his troubled family life, his long-term relationship with an abusive lover/manager, his Olympic triumphs, and ultimately his HIV positive status. In the title role, Mario Lopez is engaging and sympathetic, and he certainly *looks* spectacular, but the entire cast (veterans and newcomers alike) simply go through the motions - there's no passion. In fact, the characters are mere ciphers and the sentimentality is contrived and unconvincing. And do we really need another cringe-making TV movie which is too cowardly to show gay characters demonstrating even the most basic affection for one another? Maybe a cable production would have handled the story with a level of honest commitment that's sadly absent here. That said, the film is competent and watchable, if only because Louganis' story is *so* incredible, but viewers looking for the unvarnished truth might be better off reading the book instead.

A beautiful and brilliant film. Mario Lopez's acting ability is incredible and plays Greg Louganis with such sensitivity and emotion. Breaking The Surface: The Greg Louganis Story could have been made into a big-budget motion picture, but even in this era, Hollywood still seems to be unwilling and sheepish of telling a true story about an adult male with an alternative lifestyle who unwillingly gets HIV/AIDS. Patrick David played a convincing performance as well.