Breaking the Surface: The Greg Louganis Story (1997)

Breaking the Surface is about the tough times Greg Louganis had on his way to becoming one of the world's top Olympic divers. Some topics discussed were Greg's childhood problems his homosexuality and him contracting the HIV virus.System Requirements:Run Time: 95 minutesFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: DOCUMENTARIES/MISC. Rating: NR UPC: 631008050492 Manufacturer No: CQC504 Product Description

TRAGIS STORY - MARIO LOPEZ SUPERB

tHIS MOVIE WHILE VERY SAD AND EMOTIONAL IS SUPER SUPERB. MARIO LOPEZ IS PERFECT AT EVERY GIVEN MOMENT IN EVER FRAME. YOU ACTUALLY BELIEVE YOU ARE WATCHING GREGG NOT MARIO. MR. LOPEZ IS AN UDERATED ACTOR - SAW HIM IN A CHORUS LINE AND HE STOLE THE SHOW. HE HAS THE RARE ABIITY NOT TO BE MARIO LOPEZ - BUT- TO BE THE PERSON HE IS PLAYING. GREAT GREAT GREAT. August 22, 2008

It's Olympic Time

"Breaking the Surface: The Greg Louganis Story"

It's Olympic Time

Amos Lassen

With the Olympics closing in on us Ariztical is releasing "Breaking the Surface: The Greg Louganis Story" and it is a welcome addition to our DVD libraries. Originally made in 1977, the film is a well made biography of a gay icon and a man who taught many of us to accept ourselves.
Louganis' story is a compelling and remarkable tale and includes his struggle with his sexuality, his troubled family life, his relationship with an abusive lover/manager, his HIV positive status and his Olympic triumphs. Mario Lopez plays Louganis convincingly and with sympathy. The rest of the cast, however, seems quite wooden.
The film is based on Louganis' book of the same name and the movie stays true to it. This is, by no means, a happy movie but it is full of emotion and well directed. The poetry of diving is evident in the movie but the personal account of the book was somewhat missing. Yet the film covers not only the professional career of Louganis but his formative years by allowing us to see his relationship with his adopted parents as well as incidents that shaped his life. His adult life is depicted as being one dismal challenge after another. It's a movie that should be seen especially by those who are having a hard time admitting to themselves and others who they are.
July 27, 2008

Heart Warming & Life Changing

Definately a 5 star. To this day still a masterpiece in my mind. As others have written this is so well written and acted on all fronts. All the parts were right on the money.
If you haven't seen this movie I highly recommend it. I saw it back when it first aired on USA network. A very powerful movie and hitting very close to home for me. It ended up being a turning point in my life.
It's so nice that our community has a piece of media like this that fairly depicts Gay life in the USA. Unfortunately we have not progressed very much since this film was made. But I have high hopes.
I hope it is watched with an open heart and mind.
Peace all.


May 19, 2008

Some Valuable Life Lessons

The film was very well done with great casting. One could easily believe that Mario Lopez really was Greg Louganis; Mario did an excellent job. The photography, with cleverly interwoven footage of the real Olympics, was excellent.

The film does not have an astounding plot filled with either mystery, suspense, romance or intrigue, but that's because it is I believe an accurate recording of a real life and real lives never reach the pinnacle of Hollywood standards.

But it's an overall good film with some valuable life lessons for young men, straight and gay alike. At this point in time it may be a little "dated", but some things never change. Young men today are just as naive and vulnerable as Greg was and just as willing to take dangerous risks which could ruin their futures. Feeling that they are immortal; thinking that they will never get sick and never grow old; thinking that THEY are in control, they make disastrous decisions which impact on the rest of their lives.

The film was tastefully done with no "in your face" sexuality. It does not promote the gay lifestyle at all but simply exposes how much more difficult it is for gay man to succeed than for a straight man, having to expend a lot of valuable energy simply on covering up and hiding and leading a double life.

It's sad that so many talented young people have to stay in the shadows for fear of exposure because society at large does not want anyone to know that a "gentle-man" can be strong, courageous and honorable and can equal or exceed the limits of a straight man. Fortunately, Greg Louganis was not one of the hiders and had the courage to "come out" and make life just a little easier for others. March 13, 2007

A SAD STORY BUT MARIO LOPEZ WAS SUPERB!

This was a very sad story with both tears and joy. Greg's youth was not what I would call perfect, but he made it through. Mario Lopez's portrayal of the famous Olympian was superb! He needs to be recognized for the excellent actor that he is. If I could have given it 10 stars, I would have. November 5, 2006

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