Breaking the Surface: The Greg Louganis Story.
If you're expecting Breaking theSurface: The Greg Louganis Story to
be the male version of 1995's classy
telefilm Serving m Silence: The
Margarethe Cammermeyer Story,
expect the worst. Debuting March 19
on the USA cable network, this tawdry
made-for-TV version of
Louganis's
autobiography is an
undignified retelling
of the Olympian's
story.
The film traces
Louganis's life,
from his childhood
as the adopted son
of an abusive
father (Michael
Murphy) through
his struggle as the
victim of an
abusive lover (Jeff
Meek). In between
these tragic landmarks
are the diver's acknowledgment of his
homosexuality and the discovery of
his own HIV-positive status.
Three actors play the diver at
various stages of his life, with Saved by
the Bell's Mario Lopez as the adult
Greg. Lopez is believable in the role, if
only because of his near-perfect build
and a vocal cadence that eerily mimics
Louganis's. But the actor's strengths
can't carry the film.
Directed by Steven Stem, Surface
cuts back and forth between authentic
Olympic footage of the real Louganis
to fictional footage of Louganis's
movie parents applauding him from
the grandstands. It's totally
unconvincing and one of the cheesiest
displays of editing ever broadcast on
television. Of course, editing alone
could not have saved this amateurish
project. But if none of this bothers
you, dive in.
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| Author: | Frutkin, Alan |
|---|---|
| Publication: | The Advocate (The national gay & lesbian newsmagazine) |
| Article Type: | Television Program Review |
| Date: | Apr 1, 1997 |
| Words: | 217 |
| Previous Article: | Twilight of the Golds. |
| Next Article: | Departure. |
| Topics: | |
| Out at the Olympics. |
| Changing channels. |
| Greg Louganis. |
| From the Archives of The Advocate. |
| Jeb's jog to the right. (Florida). |