Defying Gravity

Once in a while you run into a movie that packs a wallop not because it is flawless, but in spite of, indeed almost because of, its flaws. I found the first 20 minutes or so of `Defying Gravity' very hard to sit through, and was still uncomfortable halfway through the film. The depiction of frat life seemed all too convincing; how could we have any sympathy for a main character who would buy into such cheesy `male camaraderie' at its most off-putting? (There is a coarse common term for these frat boys and their behavior, but I'll avoid using it here.) Even when the action moved beyond the suffocating atmosphere of the frat house and the tailgate party -- the evocation of said atmosphere being the first sign, perhaps, that writer-director John Keitel knew what he was doing after all -- I had the uneasy feeling I was watching yet another well-intentioned paint-by-numbers Afterschool Special about coming out, especially when the inevitable clichéd gay-bashing (right down to the baseball bats) took place.

But that is precisely when `Defying Gravity' begins to take an unexpected turn, gathering momentum when you least expect it. Once Griff has to face the reality of the consequences of his hiding, this film starts to soar. That's not because the plot ceases to be fairly predictable; it doesn't. What lifts this above most other movies, and certainly many gay-themed flicks, is how squarely and unapologetically it addresses and depicts love in its many forms. There's the true love of friendship between the closeted Griff and the straight, trying-to-understand Todd. (Why is any gay-themed movie with sympathetic straight characters derided as fantasy? Hello! – understanding straight friends and family really do happen in `real life.' Talk about self-hatred …) There's a brief, but extremely potent, display of parental love (kudos to Kevin P. Wright as Pete's father). And above all, there's the belated but knockout realization of the love between Griff and Pete, in the final hospital scene and the beautiful little coda – the most powerful emotional payoff I've seen onscreen in quite a while. In terms of conviction, it all puts the more recent, vastly overrated "Big Eden," for instance, totally in the shade.

Clearly Mr. Keitel deserves credit for turning this movie around the way he does. And then there's the cast. Nicklaus Lange's finely tuned performance makes Todd a real person, not a buddy wish fulfillment. Don Handfield as Pete has a smaller role than one might anticipate but, crucial to the film's impact, he underplays this more grounded character to perfection. "Defying Gravity" ultimately rests, however, on the shoulders of Daniel Chilson as Griff, and boy does he come through: I see something very different here from those who commented on supposedly amateurish acting. Chilson can do more with his face – particularly his endearing, slightly off-kilter smile – than many much more highly touted performers. Watch the extraordinarily nuanced play of emotions across that face when Pete's housemate tells Griff `he really cares about you,' and in the aforementioned final two scenes between Griff and Pete. That's what film acting is all about. Bravo, Daniel! When will we see you onscreen again?

There's a gem of a script here. Clearly the filmmaker is working on a ultra low budget. Many of the supporting cast deliver their lines as if they are in a high school play -- they are painfully wooden. However the idea behind the film is an important one and the film will touch you on multiple levels. I somehow wish this script could get fine tuned and remade as a major production. I feel the film as a lot to say about the pressures of college life -- especially that of living in a frat house on a big ten campus and having to lead a double life.

Some of the material for the story appears to have been inspired by the Matthew Shepard story and the film feels extremely relevant.

In spite of the low budget nature of the film, see this picture!

This is an interesting little film that deals with the two greatest fears of any gay person -- coming out and getting bashed.

Amidst the macho ritual of a college fraternity, Griff has to change pronouns so that he can hide the fact that he is gay and his date is a "he" instead of a "she." The title seems to mean that defying the reality of being yourself is as hard as defying gravity. Notice the symbolic material such as being up a tree and going down a road that is "Not a through street."

Griff is frustrated because he must endure listening to his straight friends tells about their romantic adventures. Pete is frustrated because Griff won't allow anyone to know that he and Pete are gay lovers. The pain they are both going through turns to crisis when Pete is gay-bashed and Griff knows something about the crime but is afraid to tell what he knows because that would involve his coming out.

For an independent film that was quickly made, the story shows real depth. Despite some awkward dialogue and acting, the movie is worth seeing and is really quite touching.

Being a person that does not use the term 'WHATEVER' repeatedly, I can offer that I found the movie enjoyable. I do not find it far fetched that parents and friends can accept gay family and friends in their lives, while most frats are not so accepting, even in California.

I think the subject of being gay, and in a frat, is an important issue. Guys at that age are still trying to grow into their sexuality, and may gays males at that point have not learn to accept their own sexually. Believe me, I know. As a matter of fact this is an important issue, because it not uncommon for those not accepting of their sexually, to take out their discomfort on others (i.e., gay bashing).

The movie has some touching moments, attractive actors, and I thought it was worth the 90 minute investment of my time. During the move not once did I have an urge to throw the remote, but then again, I have never been accused of being a drama queen.

For the writer/director's first effort at creating a work of fiction, "Defying Gravity" is quite good. While one might quibble about too many plot coincidences, shots of actors held a little too long, or music that attempts to cover up some weaknesses, the film does tell an interesting story and uses good actors to do it. This is better than average film making. Gay coming out films are difficult to bring off for either a gay or a straight audience. This one succeeds very well in holding the interest of both audiences. I look forward to seeing more work by this film maker.