The Man Without Gravity (2019)
Story overview
The Man Without Gravity is a 2019 fantasy drama comedy about a man who is born without the ability to be affected by gravity. The film explores his unique life journey as he navigates relationships and societal expectations while dealing with his extraordinary condition. Through a blend of whimsical fantasy and heartfelt drama, it examines themes of identity, connection, and what it means to be different.
Parent Guide
A whimsical fantasy about difference and acceptance with light comedic elements and emotional depth.
Content breakdown
May include minor comedic peril related to floating situations.
Some emotional moments about being different could be mildly affecting.
May include occasional mild language consistent with TV-14 rating.
No significant sexual content or nudity expected.
No significant substance use expected.
Explores themes of isolation, acceptance, and identity that may resonate emotionally.
Parent tips
This film is rated TV-14, suggesting it may contain material that parents might find unsuitable for children under 14. The fantasy premise of a man unaffected by gravity provides an imaginative framework for exploring themes of difference and acceptance. Parents should be aware that while the tone is generally light with comedic elements, the dramatic aspects may touch on emotional themes that could resonate differently with various age groups.
Parent chat guide
Parent follow-up questions
- What was your favorite part about the man who floated?
- How do you think it would feel to float like that?
- What would you do if you could float all the time?
- Was there anything that made you laugh in the movie?
- How did the man's friends help him?
- What challenges do you think the main character faced because he couldn't stay on the ground?
- How did other characters react to someone who was different?
- What did you learn about friendship from this movie?
- If you had this special ability, how would you use it to help others?
- What was the most interesting part of the story for you?
- How does the film use fantasy to talk about real-life experiences of being different?
- What choices did the main character make about how to live with his condition?
- How did the movie balance funny moments with more serious themes?
- What does this story teach us about accepting people who are unusual?
- How might the character's life be similar to or different from someone with a disability in real life?
- How does the film explore the tension between wanting to be special and wanting to fit in?
- What commentary might the film be making about how society treats extraordinary individuals?
- How did the fantasy elements serve as metaphors for real human experiences?
- What ethical questions does the film raise about how we treat people with exceptional abilities?
- How does the main character's journey reflect broader themes of identity and purpose?
🎭 Story Kernel
The Man Without Gravity is a poignant exploration of freedom as both gift and curse. Oscar's condition—being unaffected by gravity—initially represents ultimate liberation, but the film reveals how this separates him from the very human experiences he craves. His journey isn't about learning to fly, but about learning to land—to form attachments despite the risk of being weighed down. The narrative cleverly inverts the superhero trope: instead of gaining powers to connect with humanity, Oscar must hide his ability to experience ordinary life. His final decision to embrace gravity symbolizes that true freedom comes from choosing limitations and relationships, not from escaping them.
🎬 Visual Aesthetics
Director Marco Bonfanti employs a grounded, almost documentary-style approach that makes Oscar's condition feel startlingly real. The camera often stays at eye level, emphasizing how Oscar's abnormality exists within ordinary spaces. The color palette shifts from warm, golden tones during Oscar's childhood isolation to cooler, more muted colors as he enters adulthood's emotional complexities. The most striking visual choice is the absence of dramatic flying sequences—Oscar's movements are practical, almost mundane, reinforcing that his condition is less about spectacle and more about a fundamental disconnection from the physical world everyone else inhabits.
🔍 Details & Easter Eggs
💡 Behind the Scenes
The film was shot primarily in Lombardy, Italy, with the psychiatric hospital scenes filmed at the actual Ex Ospedale Psichiatrico di Voghera. Lead actor Elio Germano performed most of his 'weightless' scenes using practical effects and wire work rather than CGI, contributing to the film's grounded aesthetic. Director Marco Bonfanti spent years developing the project, originally conceiving it as a short film before expanding it into a feature that explores deeper philosophical questions about normality and belonging.
Where to watch
Choose region:
- Netflix
- Netflix Standard with Ads
Trailer
Trailer playback is unavailable in your region.
