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  • 1999
  • Optimale
  • 1 h 32 m
  • 1999
  • Optimale
  • 1 h 32 m

Summary Griffin (Chilson), a closeted gay fraternity member, has a relationship with off-campus fraternity brother Pete (Handfield) who wants their relationship to be open. When Pete becomes the victim of a gay-bashing incident, Griffin must decide whether he will reveal his sexual orientation to help his partner.

Directed By: John Keitel

Written By: John Keitel

  • 1999
  • Optimale
  • 1 h 32 m
  • 1999
  • Optimale
  • 1 h 32 m

Defying Gravity

Metascore Mixed or Average Based on 7 Critic Reviews
45
User Score Available after 4 ratings
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Summary Griffin (Chilson), a closeted gay fraternity member, has a relationship with off-campus fraternity brother Pete (Handfield) who wants their relationship to be open. When Pete becomes the victim of a gay-bashing incident, Griffin must decide whether he will reveal his sexual orientation to help his partner.

Directed By: John Keitel

Written By: John Keitel

Top Cast

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Critic Reviews

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Metascore
Mixed or Average Based on 7 Critic Reviews
45
29% Positive
2 Reviews
43% Mixed
3 Reviews
29% Negative
2 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews

Critic Reviews

 View All
Metascore
Mixed or Average Based on 7 Critic Reviews
45
29% Positive
2 Reviews
43% Mixed
3 Reviews
29% Negative
2 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
80
A straightforward drama done with a maturity and conviction impressive for a first film.
By Kevin Thomas FULL REVIEW
78
The gentle lift you feel in watching Defying Gravity is propelled by the earnestness of its emotions.
By Steve Davis FULL REVIEW
60
Has its clunky and wince-worthy moments, it does explore some new territory, and there are moments when it's quite fresh and moving.
By John Hartl FULL REVIEW
40
An exhaustingly melodramatic yarn...a sorely misguided attempt at tender, heartfelt realism, given a WB-glossy sheen and saddled with a script in which every line is the single most hackneyed thing the character could possibly say.
FULL REVIEW
40
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.
By Lawrence Van Gelder FULL REVIEW
30
What really undoes writer-director John Keitel's admirable intentions is the general lack of artistry on virtually every level.
By Ken Fox FULL REVIEW
30
Denying Reality, more like. John Keitel's first feature is impossibly naive, even as smoothed-over coming-out tales go.
By Dennis Lim FULL REVIEW

User Reviews

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Details

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Production Company Boom Pictures Inc.
Release Date Oct 15, 1999
Duration 1 h 32 m
Genres
Tagline Some Pledges Are For Keeps
View All Details

Awards

Austin Gay & Lesbian International Film Festival
• 2 Wins & 2 Nominations
Cinequest San Jose Film Festival
• 2 Wins & 2 Nominations
Verzaubert - International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival
• 1 Nomination

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