Set in the mid-90s U.S. Navy, Burning Blue is a deeply personal, semi-autobiographical story inspired by writer-director D.M.W. Greer’s own military past. When two Navy pilots find themselves under investigation after a series of accidents, an unspoken relationship becomes a lightning rod in a larger witch hunt against gay servicemen under the shadow of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”
What begins as a tale of friendship, loyalty, and duty unfolds into a heartbreaking narrative of suppressed desire, institutional betrayal, and the price of being true to oneself.
Burning Blue Official Trailer
Burning Blue Summary | |
|---|---|
| Title: | Burning Blue |
| Movies Info: | USA (2014) |
| Length: | 96 minutes |
| Is Burning Blue BL? | Yes, there's a BL romance. |
| Genre: | Drama / Romance / Biography / War / Boy's love |
Plot
Daniel (Trent Ford) and Will are decorated Navy fighter pilots with an unbreakable bond forged through years of service and mutual sacrifice. When a new pilot, Matt (Rob Mayes), arrives onboard, Daniel’s carefully maintained life begins to fracture. Matt’s charisma, confidence, and subtle vulnerability stir something in Daniel he has long buried.
During a shore leave in New York City, Daniel and Matt share an unforgettable night – a turning point that leads to a passionate but concealed affair. But when photos and rumors surface, a Pentagon investigation turns their private lives into public scandal. As secrets unravel and tragedy strikes, Daniel must choose between his career, his loyalty to Will, and his love for Matt.
Burning Blue Cast
Charactor
A top-tier Navy pilot from a military family, engaged to a beautiful woman but emotionally adrift.
Trent Ford
Ford portrays Dan with restraint, sometimes too much, but his final scenes show a man reclaiming agency in a hostile system.
The golden boy newcomer with a secret and a heavy heart. Married, closeted, but unable to deny his feelings for Dan.
Rob Mayes
Mayes is the emotional core of the film. His layered performance shows Matt’s transformation from guarded newcomer to someone willing to risk everything for love.
Director
D.M.W. Greer
A former Navy helicopter pilot, Greer brings lived experience to Burning Blue. The film echoes his own journey of coming out and leaving the military, which lends it an authenticity rare in military LGBTQ+ narratives. His writing leans personal and political, though the film occasionally suffers from first-time directing pitfalls.
Movie Highlight
Based on True Experiences – Writer-director D.M.W. Greer drew inspiration from his own life as a Navy pilot grappling with his sexuality under the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy.
Intimate Yet Political – A rare blend of personal love story and critique of institutionalized homophobia in the U.S. military during the 1990s.
Standout Scene: The Rooftop in NYC – A pivotal, beautifully filmed sequence where Dan and Matt’s emotional connection begins to shift under the skyline.
Queer Brotherhood vs. Military Loyalty – The film explores how same-sex desire complicates, deepens, and threatens traditional military bonds.
Emotional Catharsis – From guilt and grief to reluctant bravery, Dan’s character arc offers a slow-burn but deeply felt emotional payoff.
Burning Blue Review
Review
🌟 Story — 4/5
Burning Blue aims high: it’s a military thriller, a love story, and a political critique. The script sometimes falters with pacing and transitions, but it redeems itself through raw emotional honesty. The film vividly illustrates how loyalty, trauma, and repressed identity can collide under institutional pressure.
🌟 Acting — 3.5/5
Rob Mayes brings a magnetic sensitivity to Matt, elevating a sometimes underwritten role. Trent Ford struggles in parts but holds emotional weight in key scenes. The supporting cast, especially Michael Sirow as Will and the unnamed character of Boner, offer moments of depth.
🌟 Chemistry — 4/5
Dan and Matt’s chemistry simmers beneath the surface, more implied than explicit. From their rooftop conversations to their intimate nightclub scenes, their connection builds quietly, giving space to the internal conflict each faces. The club sequence is a sensual highlight, even if the bedroom scene is heavily implied rather than shown.
🌟 Production — 3.5/5
The film makes strong use of military aesthetics: carrier shots, jet training, and protocol-heavy interiors feel authentic. However, technical inconsistencies and questionable continuity (yes, the disappearing camera bag) detract from immersion. The soundtrack, blending military marches with acoustic guitar and ambient scores, adds emotional texture.
🌟 Ending — 4.5/5
Matt’s sudden death devastates, not just emotionally but structurally—his death erases any hope of resolution. Dan’s resignation, set against Lincoln’s statue, is quietly powerful: a man choosing dignity and truth over silence and safety. It’s not a happy ending, but a courageous one.
Burning Blue Information
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