Defying Gravity (1997) directed by John Keitel

[reviews_and_ramblings]

Director: John Keitel

Writer: John Keitel (writer)

Release Date: 9 July 1999 (Austin Gay and Lesbian International Film Festival, USA)

Genre: Drama, Romance

Tagline: Some Pledges Are For Keeps

Plot: John "Griff" Griffith, an average college student, is active in his fraternity and lives in the frat house. He shares a bunk in the same room with his best friend Todd Bently, Doogie and his pledge Stewy. Another of his fraternity brothers, Pete Bradley, has moved out of the house into a house he shares with other students. Griff and Pete have a secret sexual relationship, but Griff's close-knit fraternity life puts a strain on it. Griff is satisfied with the arrangement, but Pete is not. Pete wants them to date as a romantic couple, and one night he gets Griff to agree to go on a date with him. The "date" ends with Griff telling Pete that he wants no part of the lifestyle displayed by the coffeehouse's clientele. They both leave and separate in anger with Pete walking up a dark alley and Griff getting into his Jeep. The next day Griff and his fraternity brothers are amazed to find out that Pete has been viciously attacked and is comatose in the local hospital.

Awards: 1997 aGLIFF Award as Best Narrative Feature (John Keitel, Jack Koll & David Clayton Miller), Austin Gay & Lesbian International Film Festival
1997 Audience Favorite Choice Award to John Keitel, Jack Koll & David Clayton Miller, Cinequest San Jose Film Festival
1998 Rosebud Award Nomination as Best Film (John Keitel), Verzaubert - International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival

@IMDb
@Amazon: Defying Gravity
@Netflix
@Wolfe Video 

 







Cast (in credits order)
Daniel Chilson ... John 'Griff' Griffith
Don Handfield ... Pete Bradley
Niklaus Lange ... Todd Bentley
Linna Carter ... Denetra Washington
Seabass Diamond ... Matthew 'Doogie' McDougal
Lesley Tesh ... Heather
Ryan Tucker ... Gary Buchanan
Nicki Aycox ... Gretchen (as Nicki Lynn Aycox)
Laura Fox ... Mrs. Bradley
Kevin P. Wright ... Mr. Bradley
Matt Steveley ... Stewart 'Stewy' Hanson
David Tuchman ... Logan Franklin
Nick Spano ... Bozzy (as Nick Fortunato Spano)
Jess Martell ... Scotty
Katrina Holden Bronson ... Rachel
Jeffrey Hiner ... Will
Michael Angelo ... Sam
Marie Charles ... Regina
Tammy Lynch ... Tina
Erika Cohen ... Det. Horne
Bob Peterson ... Professor
Nita Genoveva ... Doctor
Allyson Golob ... Receptionist
Brendan Fleming ... Murph
Brian Farber ... Trip
Alan Olifson ... Scooter
Kenneth Colom ... Patrick (as K.C. O'Neill)
Peter Sanders ... Tony
John Deleski ... Travis
Hugh Warren ... Jonesy
Eric Scott ... Steinman
Chris Lehmann ... Cooper
Larry Sullivan ... Otter (as Larry Sullivan Jr.)
Mark Jodoin ... Pauly
Bradley David ... Garfield
Dan Butcher ... Shep
Greg Money ... Pledge #1
Danny Roth ... Pledge #2
Chuck Snay ... Garrett
Erik Jirak ... Wayne
Cameron Trousdale ... Young boy
Steven Burrill ... Smitty
Brian Krinsky ... Edison (as Brian Harris Krinsky)
Renee Kelly ... Loretta (as Renee Eloise)
Scott Roth ... Field reporter
Kevin Spirtas ... Bartender

 

Comments

[yana-ambf.livejournal.com]

I *LUV* Defying Gravity! If you can get past the cheesy acting of Daniel Chilson (he means well), it's a very endearing story, with a happy ending! There's something very soulful about this film; definitely one of my favorite LGBT flicks.

[elisa-rolle.livejournal.com]

Yes, the story is very moving, even if unfortunately the two main characters have the chance to be together for very few moments, and so it's almost all Daniel Chilson that makes the movie. It's low budget, but you can go past this since the plot is really nice... and as you said (BIG SPOILER ;-) ) it has an HEA! Elisa