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Daniel Chilson, Niklaus Lange, Don Handfield, Linna Carter, Seabass Diamond ... see more see more... , Lesley Tesh , Ryan Tucker , Nicki Lynn Aycox , Laura Fox , Kevin P. Wright

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... read more read more... 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. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Flixster Users

56% liked it

864 ratings

Critics

67% liked it

6 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 30 min.

Directed by: John Keitel

Release Date: January 1, 1997

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DVD Release Date: April 11, 2000

Stats: 64 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (64)

  • gms1yygy
    January 11, 2009
    gms1yygy
    Click the cover to read a summary. My opinion: guys who have already come out and those few who came out very early can have a difficult time relating to how difficult it can be. The basic difficulty here is coming out to yourself, being willing to admit that you are gay. This is... read more not an award winner, but that doesn't mean it is not worth seeing.
  • smallvilledan
    September 23, 2008
    smallvilledan
    Struggle and denial impede the love of a couple who must accept who they are and learn that love conquers all.
  • aeaglequeer
    July 9, 2007
    aeaglequeer
    I cried so hard, but it was so good. The gay guy and the frat guy totally reminded me of my best friend and myself's friendship.
  • dutchboydvh
    August 12, 2006
    dutchboydvh
    This was a wonderful film. The characters were believable and the plot well thought out. It was well acted and though somewhat predictable, not in a bad way. Everyone should see this film... everyone!

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Critic Reviews

Emanuel Levy
June 12, 2006
Emanuel Levy, Variety

Keitel's endearingly naive comedy leaves no doubt that it's a personal film written by an insider who's still close in age to the main characters, students sharing a frat house in an unamed school--ac... Full Review

David Noh
January 12, 2007
David Noh, Film Journal International

As flat as some of the buzz-cut skulls of Griff's strenuously macho buddies. Full Review

Kevin Thomas
February 14, 2001
Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Lawrence Van Gelder
January 1, 2000
Lawrence Van Gelder, New York Times

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Mick LaSalle
January 1, 2000
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

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Emanuel Levy
July 20, 2005
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

Steve Davis
January 1, 2000
Steve Davis, Austin Chronicle

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November 5, 2003
L.A. Weekly

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January 1, 2000
Film Journal International

No review available.

Wesley Morris
January 1, 2000
Wesley Morris, San Francisco Examiner

Click to read the article Full Review

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