plumbweiss
I first saw this film on DVD I borrowed from a friend, I enjoyed it so much I had to buy it myself the very next day.Essentially a love-story with twists and turns, it's set in a Frat-house.(so I believe its called....I'm British and we don't have those..) A sort of student household I suppose we'd call it.The main lead is Griff, he's got a secret boyfriend, the other guys in the house don't realise he's gay, and then something happens which threatens his little secret...I admit I shed a few tears during the film especially towards the conclusion, it's quite moving for a romantic like me. Griff, played by dishy Daniel Chilson, and his sweet co-star Pete (Don Handfield) are very easy on the eye and make a nice couple. Some of the Frat Brothers' acting skills lean towards the naive, even clunky, but it all adds to the charm in the end.My DVD copy is PAL and appears to be digitally converted from an NTSC film scan, this gives slightly disappointing quality in the same vein as a UK 'Friends' disc, eg slightly blurred movement and soft focus.
ashleyw22
The first time I saw this movie I loved it. It is a great love story. I was also glad to see that it wasn't based around the two characters having sex. Just about every gay movie I have seen thats all they want to talk about. I was happy to finally see a movie that is about much more than sex. Its about what some people are willing to do for love. When I saw it, it reminded me of the movie All Over the Guy. Except that in All Over the Guy the two characters are already out. And in Defying Gravity both the characters are still in the closet. One of them more than the other. I bought the movie and can't help but watch it over and over again. I recommend this movie to everyone.
SpamBytes2112
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.
Merwyn Grote
Griff's a frat boy. So is Pete. Griff and Pete are lovers. Griff still wants to be seen as straight; so does Pete, though Pete is on the verge of coming out. Griff doesn't like being pressured. But when Pete is injured in a gay bashing, Griff is forced to decide on which side of the fence he must ultimately stand. DEFYING GRAVITY is like one of those moralistic religious shows they used to show on Sunday mornings, mini-soap operas like "Insight" where average people found themselves facing difficult choices. Only in GRAVITY, religion is avoided and gay sex has been added. It is sincere. It is sweetly, naively philosophical in its morality. It is likable, but it is simplistic. It is about a man who wants to do the right thing, but has to muster up the moral courage to sacrifice his comfortable life in order to do it. DEFYING GRAVITY is vanilla, both sexually and dramatically. As Griff and Pete, Daniel Chilson and Don Handfield are boy-next-door handsome and kid brother cute. Their sex is PG rated. They are given a mutual best friend (Niklaus Lange) who is unmistakably straight to let us know that it is all right to be gay friendly. Griff's coming to terms with his sexuality is aided by a lesbian acquaintance (Linna Carter) who is black, to better identify being gay with being marginalized. It is all a bit too predictable.Yet, the film is sincere and it is well acted, especially by Chilson who underplays his part with the right amount of repressed, middle-class indecisiveness. And the film's most honest revelation is noting that most great changes in life come after slow deliberation and soul searching.DEFYING GRAVITY is feather weight, though it hardly defies gravity. But as it comfortably sets there taking up space, it is pleasant and inoffensive and delivers it message with utmost politeness. That may make it seem inconsequential, but since most gay films wallow in angry ranting or outrageous camp, GRAVITY's low-key thoughtfulness makes it a little bit different and a little bit special.
AD
