Rating: 
Summary: OK drama let down by so-so DVD presentation
Review: Closeted frat boy Griff (Daniel Chilson) is forced to come to terms with his sexuality when his boyfriend (Don Handfield) is the victim of a homophobic assault. Writer-director John Keitel's debut feature "Defying Gravity" (1997) is an earnest, likeable portrait of campus life where conformity is the norm and gay students are implicitly discouraged from finding their true identity. However, the underwritten script stumbles badly over a number of crucial scenes, which means the intended dramatic sparks never really ignite, and the performances are merely OK, but the characters are sympathetic and the narrative still has a lot of social relevance. Ultimately, the film's heart is in the right place and it works on its own modest level. Wolfe Video's full-screen (1.33:1) DVD transfer seems accurate and the colors are vivid, but the sound is a bit of a mess: The original mono track appears to have been ditched in favor of two-channel stereo, which would have been fine if the dialogue was appropriately centered. Instead, everything comes out of the front left-right channels, making the characters' voices seem disembodied! As such, it might be best if you listened to it through your TV set rather than your Dolby/DTS processor. And in another unfortunate lapse of judgement, Wolfe hasn't time-encoded the main feature (it runs 91m 40s), thereby disabling some of the trick functions that distinguishes the DVD format. There are no captions. Wolfe's track record on DVD to date has been generally superb, and while the technical blips on "Defying Gravity" may have spoiled the presentation, it remains a strong entry in their ongoing catalogue. The disc also includes a trailer for this film and several other Wolfe titles. All in all, an OK package, but could've been better.
Rating: 
Summary: G R E A T M O V I E !
Review: I was captivated from begining to the end. In it's favor, you don't have the usual and typical drag queen stuff, the "girlfriend" that holds out with gays, hard/SM stuff, no ...nothing like that ! Instead you have a down to earth movie with deep feelings and emotions. U can identify with the actors. A "fall in love" movie. DON'T MISS THIS ONE, YOU'LL REGRET IT !
Rating: 
Summary: defying belief
Review: This movie had only 4 flaws. They were the acting, directing, editing and photography. The production was sophomoric and amateurish. Some of it was edited so sloppily that it did not even make sense. The actors were so self conscious and their acting so contrived that no one was believable. It was difficult to sit through the whole thing but I felt I should suffer through this hodge-podge piece of idiocy since I had paid so much for it. I would have rated it 0 stars if it had been available.it made me cry too...tears of despair. rent it before you buy it. Of course there is no acccounting for taste. So if you are 14 and this is the only movie you ever see. spend your money on some counseling sessions
Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable ...
Review: First off ... I need to tell all that the sound transfer quality of the DVD wasn't all that great. There were scenes that were hardly audible and some had overwhelming background noise. Thankfully, it was better on Virtual Dolby setting than Cinema Studio on my Sony amp. So if you can, make sure you watch it on V Dolby :) As for the story, I found it to be a fairly enjoyable movie to watch. It reminded me of the pains of growing up among people who might not have the same viewpoint as you. Having to hide yourself in a crowd really touched a chord in me as I sat through the viewing. Acting-wise, I would rate it as commendable. I means since the actors are mostly unknowns (I've this feeling that I've seen them before), they manage to bring out the subtle complexities of being that age and convey them convincingly to the audience. Their delivery should have been better as some of the mistakes come out in the most ackward moments and that really irritated me. All in all I would say that they all have potential and special note should be given to Chilson who IMHO sucessfully carried his character throughout the movie. I wished that some of the subplots in the movie were developed better. I especially wanted to see more of the relationship between Griff and Todd as I felt that it was too superficial for me to explain how he readily accepted Griff for who he really was. Well one can't get everything in with a low budget :) All in all it was an enjoyable movie to watch. Not perfect but comes close to it.
Rating:
Summary: An Important Contemporary Film
Review: "Defying Gravity" is a touching drama centered around two college fraternity brothers, Griff and Pete. In the midst of raging hormones, constant partying and the girls who hang out, the two become lovers. Pete has a much more developed sense of himself and realizes his environment doesn't exactly match his emerging sexuality. He moves out of the frat house in order to be true to himself, to his emerging sexual identity. Early in 'Gravity', it becomes pretty evident that beyond their friendship and sexual attraction, the two boys are at very different places as far as addressing the reality of who they are. After each encounter with Pete, Griff redoubles his efforts at seeking out girls for dates. He works hard at convincing himself that what he has with Pete is "just sex" and that he's not gay. Yet, it's apparent that he isn't concentrating on his schoolwork with any success and that somewhere inside himself, he is indeed in conflict and is becoming increasingly aware of his true sexuality. Despite his efforts with women, Griff's attraction to Pete is transparent. In the meantime, Pete's doing well in school and making friends at the local gay coffeehouse. He's actively working toward having his life match his identity. Pete clearly loves Griff and would like more of a commitment from him. Following an argument between the two at the coffeehouse, Pete is critically injured and ends up in a coma after he is the victim of a gay bashing. Griff feels terrible about what happened but is so afraid of the personal implications, that he stays away. He doesn't tell the police that he and Pete were together just before the beating, or that they argued or that he saw a suspicious truck at the time Pete was leaving. Yet, he doesn't do well in denial either. He grows depressed and withdrawn. He is paralyzed by his abandonment of Pete and his own internal struggle with his sexuality. Todd, a fellow fraternity brother and friend of both boys, won't let Griff get lost in himself. He spends time with him, offers his help, encourages him to speak. Pete is reluctant. He fears losing Todd the second he lets him know what's on his mind. Griff comes clean. When he is finally able to say that he loves Pete more than anything else he is sure about in life, Todd immediately hugs him. His support for Griff is automatic and unconditional. Todd helps Griff begin to undo some of his betrayal of Pete. He goes with him to file a police report on the suspicious vehicle and takes him to the hospital to visit the still unconscious Pete. Life at the frat house takes an immediate turn for the worse in Griff's discovery that guys in his own fraternity are responsible for beating up Pete. They are arrested, but nothing can be the same for Griff. He can't continue hiding who he is, and he knows he has to move out of the house in order to get honest with himself. Griff's major breakthrough happens quickly after this realization. He moves into Pete's house, even though Pete is still in the hospital, and he starts to begin to spend time at the gay coffeehouse. When Pete finally comes out of the coma, Griff apologizes for his abandonment and cowardice. Pete is reluctant to believe that Griff has changed. Yet, Griff, no longer sitting on the fence, makes his love absolutely clear to Pete. He acknowledges that coming out is scary. He tells Pete he's going to need a lot of help along the way. He Pete for his help. "Defying Gravity" ends on the most hopeful of notes. We fully expect Pete and Griff to make a go at being an openly gay couple. While on one level, Gravity may sound like the same old story of boy denying - boy coming to terms with his sexuality, yet, this simple and beautiful film does an excellent job in depicting the challenges of discovering oneself gay in a very straight world. Writer and director, John Keitel has created a compelling contemporary story. He does well in being faithful to presenting a film that conveys the essence of this story, keeping the lurid or sensational deliberately spare. The film can be shown in a multitude of settings for entertainment and educational purposes. The college fraternity setting is quite believable for the story being told. Getting honest with oneself about being gay in an all-male, extremely heterosexual, and highly homophobic environment is a daunting challenge. The major players each courageously come to terms with themselves, and do a fine job in their portraits. Pete, played by actor Don Handfield, is out of the action for much of the film. However early on, he manages to convey his character as a likeable and courageous young man struggling through a very difficult passage in his life. Dan Chilson has the challenge of playing Griff and he does it well. We first meet a boy who is fearful and dishonest with himself. His character grows up through the film and Chilson convincingly evidences this transformation. The most outstanding acting in the film is in the character of Todd, Griff and Pete's good friend. The role is played by Niklaus Lange. Lange has the looks and bearing to play the hulking heterosexual, all-American boy-next-door. He gives us a sensitive and empathic performance in the role of Todd. Defying Gravity is enjoyable entertainment. It deals with serious issues with tremendous sensitivity and realism. I hope this film is shown in homes, high schools and frat houses throughout the country. It can be a platform for lots of values clarification, and hopefully some changed minds in those who see it. Highly recommended!
Rating: 
Summary: Mediocre Film
Review: I think that its wonderful that more and more gay movies are being made, especially the ones that capture the heart of our emotions. Unfortunately this movie is not one of them. While the essence of the film is the odd relationship between the two main charactres; one who is confident in being gay Pete (Don Handfield), the other just discovering himself, Griff (Daniel Chilson), the acting of Chilson isn't up to par and destroys the movies meaning, I felt that it could have been better. Also the writing of some of the most important scenes is to mild, detracting the emotion of the true relationship and meaning of the film. The comibination of the poor writing at the critical moment and poor acting by Chilson does not make this movie reccomendable. The movie also takes some liberties of the main characters discovery of his sexuality and acceptance which anyone who has had this struggle relaizes that it isn't that easy. The one good thing that I have to say about This movie is the presence of Nicklaus Lange the two main characters straight friend and his acceptance of their relationship. I felt that his acting ability and kindness was exceptionally translated into his character and the film, if only we all had friends like this we wouldn't have the problems that we face today. Sadly, I can not reccomend this film to anyone who is looking for an entertaining evening. But, if you can't find anything else to watch some of the boys are cute and if you can get past the acting the situations in this movie remind us of how we want our life to be.
Rating:
Summary: Definitely a KEEPER
Review: Brought back memories of my college days and coming out. Chilson was very realistic in his role. The pressure he was up against is very typical of the college life or even the coming out period in our lives. Scared to tell anyone, worried that friends/family would disapprove. Chilson had a great friend to rely on with Lange. Handfield, as Pete had a limited role but was firm with his beliefs. The ending was one all of us wish would of happened to us.
Rating:
Summary: One not to miss
Review: This film is great, one of the best recently released gay films Ive seen. This movie touched my heart so much, and made me so happy at the end it was great, its not very often you find a movie like that. This story focuses on two young men in a college fraternity who are in love with eachother, yet one of them does not know how to face the fact he is gay. After an extremely traumatic situation, "Griff" finds himself with the help of another "frat guy" and a fellow student (female) who is also struggling with her own identity. In the end, this heart warming film is sure to leave you smiling, and wanting to hug that special someone close to you.
Rating:
Summary: Not A Good Movie
Review: This movie was not good at all! The dialogue was bad. The acting was amateur. I understand the poetic intention of the story, but the script could have been much much much better written. Rent it first if you can, but do not purchase it.
Rating:
Summary: Very touching and movin
Review: This film is a great coming of age story. I see myself as "Griff" trying to come to terms with who I am. This film was very well put together. It really gets at the heart of what is the problem with intolerance in today's society. It also shows how much a friendship can mean to someone when you are trouble. I would highly reccomend this film to everyone.
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