Burning Blue (film)
| Burning Blue | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | D.M.W. Greer |
| Written by | Helene Kvale DMW Greer |
| Produced by | John Hadity Arthur J. Kelleher Andrew Halliday |
| Starring | Trent Ford Rob Mayes |
| Cinematography | Frederic Fasano |
| Edited by | Bill Henry |
| Music by | James Lavino |
Production companies | Burning Blue The Film L.P. Lionsgate |
| Distributed by | Lionsgate Entertainment |
Release dates |
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Running time | 96 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Burning Blue is a 2013 American drama film, directed by D.M.W. Greer and starring Trent Ford and Rob Mayes. It is based on the 1992 play of the same name by Greer about a U.S. Navy accident investigation which becomes a gay witch hunt during the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" era.
Plot
Best friends Lieutenants Daniel Lynch (Trent Ford) and Will Stephensen (Morgan Spector) are U.S. Navy fighter pilots flying the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet and hoping to become the youngest pilots to be accepted into the space program. After two accidents, one of which is due to Will’s failing eyesight, their unit is subject to an NCIS investigation led by John Cokely (Michael Sirow).
At the same time, a third pilot, Matt Blackwood (Rob Mayes), arrives on the carrier and quickly develops a close friendship with Dan, driving a wedge between Dan and Will. Cokely’s investigation leads to him uncovering rumours about Dan and Matt’s relationship just as they both begin to fall in love. When Matt decides to leave his wife and move in with Dan, there is a third accident, and Cokely’s investigation ramps up the pressure on Dan.
Cast
- Trent Ford as Lieutenant Daniel Lynch
- Rob Mayes as Lieutenant Matthew Blackwood
- Morgan Spector as Lieutenant William Stephensen
- William Lee Scott as Charlie Trumbo
- Michael Sirow as John Cokely
- Cotter Smith as Admiral Lynch
- Tammy Blanchard as Susan
- Tracy Weiler as Nancy
- Gwynneth Bensen as Tammi
- Mark Doherty as Skipper
- Chris Chalk as Special Agent Jones
- Gwynneth Bensen as Tammi
- Jordan Dean as Stewie
- Johnny Hopkins as Gorden
- Haviland Morris as Grace Lynch
- Karolina Muller as Olenka
Production
Burning Blue was based on the 1992 play by D.M.W. Greer, his first play.
The film adaptation began production in 2010, with principal photography taking place entirely in New York City and Long Island, New York.[1]
Reception
Burning Blue, although admired by many viewers, has received generally negative critical reviews. Anita Gates noted in The New York Times: "The script, by Mr. Greer and Helene Kvale, rolls along with lifeless, profoundly unimaginative dialogue ('The wings on your chest are proof that you’ve accomplished something great'; 'I like women'; 'I’m not gay'; 'Tears won’t bring him back'; 'No more lies'). Then there’s a scene in church, and the priest inexplicably begins quoting Rainer Maria Rilke’s gorgeous 'Go to the Limits of Your Longing'."[2] The writing and directing were criticized, but Ford and Mayes were praised for their portrayals.[3] The film scored a 28% in review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes.[4]
References
- ^ "Burning Blue; Deny nothing." Official website: Burning Blue, 2015. Retrieved: December 26, 2015.
- ^ Gates, Anita. "Navy pilots under the gun; ‘Burning Blue,’ a military drama about homosexuality."The New York Times, JUNE 5, 2014. Retrieved: December 26, 2015.
- ^ Reed, Rex. "Movies: In the Navy: ‘Top Gun’ meets ‘Brokeback Mountain’ in D.M.W Greer’s debut feature." The New York Observer, April 6, 2014.
- ^ "Review: 'Burning Blue'." Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved: April 20, 2015.