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Best friends Lieutenants Dan Lynch (Trent Ford) and Will Stephensen (Morgan Spector) are U.S. Navy fighter pilots flying the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18C/D Hornet fighter aircraft. Both pilots have an aspiration to become the youngest pilots accepted into the space program. After two accidents, one of which is due to Will’s failing eyesight, their unit is subject to a 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.

Imdb user

One of the fine films I’ve seen about gays in the military when discrimination and homophobia existed. This is based on director’s DMW Greer’s play of the same title which received critical acclaim.

The story focuses on two relationships. First is the “bromance” of Daniel and William who are F- 18 pilots working for the US Navy. Buddies from the start, this friendship was disrupted when a third guy Matthew entered the picture and became Daniel’s love interest. This film is set during the period of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy when the situation made the characters “internally” homophobic and sexually repressed, heartbroken and fearing for their career future. A gay witch hunt follows, investigating Daniel and Matthew relations and also that of William’s and other pilots’.

The last half hour is engrossing and will reveal secrets. But the message is clear: the old “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” and the discriminatory policies before that did not work. It had only detrimentally affected the lives, loves and families of gays who really just want to serve their country.

The film has very good production values, like a mainstream film, and very well paced. The acting is excellent especially by Trent Ford and Morgan Spector (fine acting at the last part). Rob Mayes is great as handsome Matthew.

Over-all a film worth watching.