Defying Gravity

1997 Drama

A typical frat rat has a secret lurking in his closet in this gay-themed drama. John "Griff" Griffith (Daniel Chilson) is a student at a college in Southern California, where he lives with his friends in a fraternity house. Griff's frat brothers and his best friend Todd (Niklaus Lange) don't know that he has been having an affair with Pete Bradley (Don Handfield), another member of the frat who lives in an off-campus apartment. While Griff acts "straight" and talks about women with his beer-drinking frat brothers, his involvement with Pete has been going on for some time. Pete has accepted his homosexuality and is tentatively inching out of the closet; he wants to have a real relationship with Griff, based on more than furtive sex, but Griff is unwilling to acknowledge that he is gay. Pete asks Griff to meet him at a gay coffeehouse; their conversation turns into an argument, and Pete storms off in a huff. The next day, Griff learns that Pete is in the hospital; while walking home, he was attacked by gay-bashing yahoos and is now in a coma. Griff must now resolve his confused sexual identity, as well as his feelings for Pete. Defying Gravity was the debut feature for writer/director John Keitel. more..

Director: John Keitel

Starring: Daniel Chilson, Niklaus Lange,Don Handfield, Linna Carter, Seabass Diamond

Reviews

  • A straightforward drama done with a maturity and conviction impressive for a first film.

    Kevin Thomas - Los Angeles Times

    11 May 2013

  • The gentle lift you feel in watching Defying Gravity is propelled by the earnestness of its emotions.

    Steve Davis - Austin Chronicle

    11 May 2013

  • Has its clunky and wince-worthy moments, it does explore some new territory, and there are moments when it's quite fresh and moving.

    John Hartl - Film.com

    11 May 2013

  • Plods along, never catching dramatic fire, sometimes suffering from amateurish acting and often relying on its intrusive and treacly music to impart mood and rhythm.

    Lawrence Van Gelder - The New York Times

    11 May 2013

  • What really undoes writer-director John Keitel's admirable intentions is the general lack of artistry on virtually every level.

    Ken Fox - TV Guide

    11 May 2013

Awards

  • Best Narrative

    Austin Gay & Lesbian International Film Festival (1997)

  • John Keitel

    Cinequest San Jose Film Festival (1998)

  • Best Film

    Verzaubert - International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival (1998)