Defying Gravity

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This article is about the 1997 independent film. For the song "Defying Gravity," see Defying Gravity (song).

Defying Gravity
Directed by	John Keitel
Produced by	Jack Koll David Clayton Miller
Written by	John Keitel
Starring	Daniel Chilson Niklaus Lange Don Handfield Linna Carter
Cinematography	Tom Harting
Editing by	Matthew Yagle
Release date(s)	1997
Running time	92 minutes
Country	USA
Language	English
IMDb profile

Defying Gravity is a 1997 independent gay-themed romantic drama. Filmed in just 13 days using a cast largely of first-time actors, the film played the gay and lesbian film festival circuit in 1997 and 1998.

[edit] Plot summary

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

John "Griff" Griffith (Daniel Chilson) is a fraternity guy who lives in the frat house. He's involved in a sexual relationship with one of his fraternity brothers, Pete (Don Handfield). Pete used to live in the house but moved out. Griff is happy with the arrangement but Pete isn't. Pete wants them to date and be a romantic couple. After a brief argument Griff agrees to meet Pete the next evening.

Griff is displeased to discover that Pete's tricked him into meeting at a gay coffeehouse. When Pete arrives, Griff starts another argument and they leave. Griff gets in his Jeep and Pete walks off up an alley. As Griff starts his car, he notices a black truck pull up the alley.

The next day Griff and his fraternity brothers are horrified to learn that Pete has been viciously attacked and is comatose in the local hospital. While Griff is of course most upset about the attack, the rest of the brothers are worried that the fraternity will become known for having a gay member and it will have a negative effect on their upcoming rush week. Griff leaves the house and ends up back at the coffeehouse, where he sees Denetra (Linna Carter), an African-American fellow student who's in one of his classes.

Griff and his best friend and fraternity brother Todd (Niklaus Lange) visit Pete in the hospital and give a statement to the detective investigating the bashing. Griff doesn't admit that he was with Pete on the night of the attack.

Later on campus Griff runs into Denetra and she agrees to meet him for coffee. They strike up a tentative friendship and Denetra comes out to him, although she's otherwise deeply closeted.

Griff collects some of Pete's things to take to him in the hospital. His familiarity with Pete's belongings leads Pete's mother to figure out that the two are more than just friends. Later, Pete's father tells Griff that he's not sure what exactly there is between the two but warns Griff never to let his son down again.

Griff's turmoil over Pete leads him to screw up the rush party. He forgets to stock the bar and he forgets to call a sorority. After almost coming to blows with another member, Griff gets taken out of the house by Todd and they drive up into the mountains for the night. The next morning, Griff has a heartfelt talk with Todd, coming out to him and telling him that he's in love with Pete.

Griff and Todd go to the police station and file a report about the black truck that Griff had seen. Back at the frat house, Griff sees the same truck and realizes that two of his fraternity brothers were in on the attack. He goes after one of them with a baseball bat and the other confesses. They're arrested.

Griff moves out of the fraternity house and into Pete's place while Pete is still comatose. He gets a call that Pete's come out of the coma and he rushes over to the hospital. There he begs Pete's forgiveness and swears that he'll never let him be hurt again.

The film ends with Pete fully recovered. He and Griff are openly together, they've stayed friends with Todd and his girlfriend and Griff has stayed friends with Denetra as well.

[edit] Awards and nominations

Austin Gay & Lesbian International Film Festival aGLIFF Award Best Narrative 1997 (won)
Austin Gay & Lesbian International Film Festival aGLIFF Award Best Narrative Feature 1997 (won)
Cinequest San Jose Film Festival Audience Favorite Choice Award 1997 (won)
Cinequest San Jose Film Festival Audience Favorite Choice Award 1998 (won)
Verzaubert - International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival Rosebud Award Best Film 1998 (nominated)