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?

I went with low expectations, and came out really having enjoyed this movie. Griff and Pete, members of a fraternity at USC, are having an affair. Griff is closeted, and still lives at the frathouse. Pete has left the frathouse, and is on the verge of coming out. He want more from Griff than just sex. Griff is unwilling to have a real relationship (complete with dating, dining, acknowledging a partner), but does not give up on pursuing Pete. Pete even gets Griff to meet him at a gay coffeehouse. Then comes the gaybashing incident that changes everything.

The guys in this movie are handsome and believable. The frathouse scenes seem real--they let you understand the camaraderie that make people want to be part of frats, but at the same time deprive them of the room to be themselves. The gaybashing is an overused plot device, but it works to make this into a poignant movie about the dilemmas faced by gays who want to fit in, don't want to risk being open, yet need affection along with sex from another man.

Sometimes you just have to forgive all the faults and glitches and go with the flow. I liked this film in spite of its low-budget feel and empty moments, because there is a difference between profound emotion and cheap sentiment, and the script of Defying Gravity reflects the former. In spades.

Another pitfall avoided by this writer and director is that of going over the top in caricaturing his leads or allowing the story to become preposterous. The parts dealing with college fraternity life are spot on, including subtexts. (I know this for a fact.) If anything, the more extreme moments of drama are underplayed rather than the opposite.

So there is a little political correctness involved -- so what? The moment that Griff turns to Todd on that mountaintop and confesses his feelings for Pete, everything of lesser import in this story vanishes. What remains a mystery is how an actor like Daniel Chilson who shows such promise in this role did not go on to much greater accomplishment.

The heart and soul of any straightforward love story is its reflection of the highest and best motivation humanly possible as regards one person's feelings for another. Everything base and immoral is swept aside in a tide of total devotion and deep introspection, hence the notion of defying gravity.

I do not know whether this film was made for television or general release. I wish I had stumbled across it sooner. It is a simple, unsophisticated, unpretentious gem.

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.

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.

Defying Gravity is a wonderful film. It's both humorous, as well as heartbreaking, and is a film that I look forward to watching again.

Griff (Daniel Chilson) is an all American super jock frat boy. He plays hoops with a Nerf ball in his dorm room, and parties it up while flirting with the girls at football tailgating parties. Griff, however, is also carrying on a sexual relationship with Pete (Don Handfield) behind everybody's back.

After being witness to a gay bashing that leaves Pete seriously injured, Griff is forced to deal with his own sexuality, as well as the conflict of outing himself in order to bring Pete's attackers to justice. Say nothing, and he lets down somebody he realizes truly loves him, and wants more than just sex. Come forward, and he'll have to face his frat brothers, as well as himself and the feelings he's discovering he has towards Pete.

Both Beautiful Thing and Get Real dealt with "coming out" in a syrupy sort of way. This isn't to say those films are bad; Quite the contrary. They are both excellent films that I have seen and own. What I'm getting at is that it's nice to see a film that forgoes the syrup and plays it in less of a fairy tale way.

Given the fact that this was the first role for many involved, some of the acting shows strain, and ends up looking amateurish, but that didn't bother me as much as it usually would, and in fact, I think it made the performances seem all the more real. The relationship between Griff and his best friend Todd (Niklaus Lange) is both convincing and sweet. Todd is truly trying to understand and support Griff, even when he has no idea what his friend is going though. The only major drawback I can pick out is that the relationship between Griff and Denetra (Linna Carter) isn't fully explored, and I was left with wanting to see more.

Defying Gravity is not a glossy smooth production like either of the films I mentioned above, but that's not a fault, and shouldn't be considered one. Occasionally uneven acting aside, this is a wonderful film that truly has heart and I hope everybody will give it a chance.

My grade: A

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!

When I saw this film the first time I had an uncontrollable urge to smile to myself and go "agghhh" rather like granny when she looks at a particularly embarrassing baby photo of me. The film has many flaws but I watch it over and over again. The plot is well developed although quite predictable as it progresses. This is however not a thriller. There is some quite good acting from Nicklaus Lange and Don Handfield. Daniel Chilson looks right for the part and tries his best. He is however on a few occasions fairly wooden and ill at ease. I can well understand that his film acting experience had been (still is?) a little low level.

The film is professionally produced with good production values.

The script was OK. It dealt with plot development well but some of the dialogue was appalling. Do intelligent people talk this way in America? Some of the characters were ghastly stereotypes of gay people. The camp pink shirted activist was I think cast for effect but he made my toes curl! I know these are flaws but don't let that put you off. This is a "feel good" film and rather made me think of "Beautiful Thing" (time shifted slightly and moved to America). I recommend it to all

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.

This film was such a wonderful surprise when I saw it in the

theater -- multiple times, in fact. Candidly, I liked it because I could

really identify with the character of Griffin. The chemistry between

Pete and Griff feels very real. Yes, this is a low-budget film and it

suffers a bit in production values, but the performances are strong

and I enjoy it more with each viewing now on DVD. Some have

criticized it for being cliche, but quite the opposite is true: the film is

remarkable because of the absence of stereotypes we've come to

expect in gay-themed art films: drag queens, dysfunctional

families, everyone dying of AIDS, disco music, diva worship,

pot-smoking, musical theater fanatics, "sissies," leather daddies,

the athletically-challenged...there's none of that here. Griff and Pete

are probably the most accurate representation of most gay men

that have appeared on the screen to date. They're just like any

other guys their age, except that their romantic interests are

focused on guys rather than girls. Had this film been made ten

years earlier, Griff would almost certainly have been portrayed as a

nerdy, unlikable, social outcast; but Griff is every frat boy's best

friend. Two thumbs up for this one.

The movie captured many different outlooks on how homosexuality is feared because of ignorance, unacceptance, peer pressure, and the pride of being in love (to show this love in public.) The movie clearly captured the struggles of three best friends, in which, two have fallen in love with each other, and had struggles with accepting the relationship. I loved how the move went "through the motions" of falling in love, keeping the relationship a secret, how others knew, but didn't want to say anything, the parent's acceptance, and the many struggles to keep the relationship alive and strong. I recommend this movie to everyone! Without a doubt, this is one of the BEST "Coming Out" movies I've seen!

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.

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.

Griff and Pete are two regular guys going to college someplace in the Western U.S., that enjoy rough housing with their friends, partying, going to sporting events, all the typical "guy" things, except dating in public, since they're gay. Pete is proud of his relationship with Griff, Griff however, is afraid that he'll have to choose between his lover, and his frat house friends.

When Pete gets attacked after they have an argument, Griff has the difficult choice to make of helping catch Pete's assailants and being 'out-ed', or letting his partner's assailants possibly get away.

This movie is not nearly as light hearted as "Get Real", and most of the characters aren't developed as fully as they could have been. I gave it a higher rating than I normally would have, since it was a really good effort by independent film makers.

This is a gay film that doesn't feel like a typical gay film in that absolutely nothing seems contrived, particularly the people and the setting.

Never having been a frat boy myself, I was surprised how I warmed to the friendship displayed between frat brothers here. The bond between "Griff" and buddy Todd seems real and unforced, just as does the friction between the already out Pete and the closeted Griff who just isn't into the gay scene. After Pete is badly gay-bashed in a dark alley, Griff, who may have seen the vehicle of the perpetrators, but who has to out himself to everyone in order to see them caught, has some real soul-searching to do.

Daniel Chilton is more than convincing as conflicted Griff, and Niklaus Lange (Todd) and Todd's girlfriend Heather (Lesley Tesh) make a good looking, in-love-for-real couple who help show Griff where his heart really is, and where it isn't. The chance meeting and bonding that occurs between Griff and Denetra (Linna Carter), an equally closeted black woman, takes things in an interesting direction. The film has a well made look to it even if the aspect ratio is virtually square.

When Griff finally admits to Todd, "I've never been so sure of anything in my life," you really want to cheer. The pot takes a while to boil here, but the results are something to savor.

I really enjoyed this film. It is sweet and touching and believable. The film deals with prejudice and love in a way that makes it look neither commercial nor false. It is about trying to fit in while still being true to yourself and the people you love.

Okay, maybe this film is not cinema art, but somehow it really gets to me. I have never been in a college fraternity, and my own coming out years are way in the past. But somehow I find this film quite affecting. The performances are, perhaps, not as accomplished as we are used to seeing, yet the director uses his actors well. The story is touching and believable if not incredibly realistic (MOVIES ARE NOT REAL LIFE, FOLKS). Note on the DVD release: the sound is atrocious, but fiddling with my system I was able to achieve a listenable presentation. It's frustrating, to be sure, but I'm still glad that I own this title

Considering this tightly budgeted indie reportedly had a lean two week shooting schedule, the results are very impressive. The attractive cast does well and, providing one doesn't scrutinize the script and some of the acting too closely, the story maintains interest and has moments which are quite touching. "Defying Gravity" is an interesting "sleeper," revealing compelling social attitudes and relationships.

Lets just get the negatives out of the way. The acting wasn't that great. Yes the actors were "pretty" but they needed to have another look at the script instead of the mirror. I just loved the story line, the plot, it was really well thought out. I read it was based on experiences of real life so its not so surprising it all came together well. Another user commented on gay themed European films versus US. I tend to agree. European films make you think and the acting is generally better. US films rely too much on the "pretty" side of things. You may get some question marks popping up in your head thought-out the course of this film. There were stages I couldn't really get a feeling for what the character was going through, what they were feeling and thinking, it was then left up to the script to fill in the blanks. First half of the film was OK, it started slipping about 3/4 the way through but made up for it at the end with the hospital scene and the kiss which I was waiting for, for quite some time. Couldn't help but walk away feeling good about it, so thumbs up. Worth watching, just wish I was the director and made a few scenes more "alive".

I must say, I love the continuity in this film. Others have said that it should be shortened a bit, because writer/director John Keitel feels compelled to tie up every loose end. But that is what I love about this film. When a character is sitting on a hillside looking at a view, the director actually shows you the view! So many much more expensive movies fail to provide the viewer this simple courtesy. The view shot is just a physical example, but there is emotional continuity in the film as well. Defying Gravity has given me a great deal of pleasure. I wish John Keitel would direct more. He seems more interested in editing which I am sure he is great at. I noticed he edited Latter Days, another favorite.

This film has some obvious flaws - including some weak acting and occasional bad sound, but it has an interesting and engaging story and I find it quite enjoyable.

The premise has a lot of potential (gay frat boys, secretly having a sexual relationship). The story sets up a lot of potential conflicts which it explores. (One guy out, the other still thinking of himself as straight, one in love the other denying his feeling, etc.) Some of the characters are a little 2 dimensional and some of the dialog is lame, but honestly the lame dialog fit the characters, so it was fairly believable.

I couldn't honestly rate defying gravity a 9 or 10, but to me its a 6 or 7 just for the story line.

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.

Defying Gravity is a movie which demonstrates that perhaps the truest meaning of living is our ability to move beyond simply existing - living our lives as others think they should be lived, to being able to reach out for the love that we need. If you play it safe, there is no risk, but also no reward. To follow this path we have existed, but not lived. "Griff" played by Daniel Chilson had played his life by the rules that others made. Being gay is not a choice, like will I have a cheese burger or a salad? Why do I like green and another likes blue? I just do. This movie really needs to be viewed several times to pick out the range and nuances that Chilson is able to convey. He becomes a type of "everyman" when he wrestles with one of life's most perplexing issues. If you haven't been there, you really won't have a clue.

A pity I discovered this movie so late. There seems very little information about this movie available and I'm even more surprised that there is even less information about the actors on the web, especially Daniel Chilson is a very promising actor and I don't understand why he (apparently) played in only one movie.

As someone else also mentioned: the scene in the mountains is simply superb and I've seen many well known movies with "big" actors who didn't reached at all this "niveau" (as they put in french). I'm far from being a movie-specialist but one thing is for sure: I enjoyed this movie immensely and I think this is one of the main aims for a movie. Go on guys.

I have finally seen Defying Gravity, and I have found the story line to be very good. It is hard to make life altering decisions like that. On the other hand the found the acting to be poor. Other then that it was a great movie and I would watch it again. It was nice to see that "Griff's" Friend stuck by him, even though he always knew. He was just waiting for Griff to tell him. It is hard to find friends like that....now that is a TRUE friend. I will be checking out for simular movies, that have the same/basic story line. If anyone knows of any that you would recommend, please don't hesitate to forward them off. Thank You, Take Care And Have A Good One....I hope to get some feedback...

TazNS