Greater (2016)

Admirable film.

The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.

It's easily one of the freshest, sharpest and most enjoyable films of this year.

One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

In the DVD version of "Greater," there is a blooper reel that offers some humorous outtakes during the filming. Those bloopers provided a good counterpoint to the sustained seriousness of the film that at times adopted an overly preachy and maudlin tone.Based on the true story of Brandon Vaughn Burlsworth, the film is both a football story and a Christian parable, due to the faith that sustained the overachiever Burlsworth as the most successful walk-on football player in the modern age of collegiate football. The film is best summed up by the tagline "Faith, Family, Academics, and Football" that is the motto of football camps run by Brandon's older brother Marty.The film spends too much time on the family matters of the Burlsworths and their home life on Cherry Street in Harrison, Arkansas. The father was evidently an abusive alcoholic, yet is only portrayed in the film as a harmless drunk. As the obese Brandon was growing up, he was given the nickname of "Chips and Cheesecake" by Marty, his older brother, who was separated from Brandon by seventeen years. This was quite a unique family dynamic, and the dysfunction was grossly downplayed in the film.The most intriguing character in the film is known in the credits as The Farmer, who might be better termed The Cynic. The character is clearly the alter-ego of Marty, who has had a lapse in his faith after the promising life of his little brother was cut short. The Cynic has some provocative lines and questions that get at the heart of the nature of belief in a higher power.But the best scenes in in the film are the football clips that chronicle the remarkable success of young Brandon as an offensive lineman at the University of Arkansas. In his first year, it appeared that Brandon would never hear the cries of the loyal Arkansas fans, chanting, "Wooooo...Pig Soooooie!!!" But by the end of his academic career, he had earned both a B.A. and a M.A. and had been selected as an All-American offensive lineman.The 1998 miracle season of the Razorbacks was led by new coach Houston Nutt, who recognized early on how the "Burlsworth Factor" could provide the inspiration for a banner year at Arkansas, if led by the senior lineman. After meeting Burlsworth, Nutt discarded his plan to rebuild, relying instead on Brandon's senior class. In the most critical game versus Tennessee, it appeared as though the Razorbacks had the game won until the quarterback Clint Stoerner tripped over Brandon's feet and fumbled the ball away, giving the game to Tennessee. The announcer screamed, "O, my goodness!!!" as the game turned on this moment of the "miracle fumble."The film does not mention that play calling and game management on the part of coach Houston Nutt cost the Razorbacks the game. The fault was not due to Brandon or to Stoerner. Rather, it was stupid coaching call that asked for a quarterback rollout play, instead sitting on the ball and letting the clock expire.One of the film's main themes is the "pilgrimage road" traveled by young Brandon Burlsworth. In his youth, he was given a copy of John Bunyan's classic "The Pilgrim's Progress." By the end of the film, we see his dog-earned copy after he has completed a journey of hard work, desire, and dedication to nearly unthinkable success in his college years. The story of Brandon Burlsworth is one of doing the right thing in life. He is remembered for his strength of character and his values even more than for his bone-crushing blocks the gridiron.

A sports-biography, about an American footballer who came over many obstacles to become a successful player in college level league. Being a fat and youngest in his family, he had to go a long way to become what he wanted to be. This is an inspiring film for sports aspirants. Decently made film by an unknown director with good performances in it.Whatever it is, or you call it, for me it is a B movie, a fine one. Neal McDonough was the most recognisable face around and he was the backbone of the film after the lead character. The story was told from his perspective and was a bit emotional film than I thought. I don't know this game at all, but I can know what's going on, particularly hard working people to achieve some big in their life.It is not a popular American film among Americans itself, but if you had heard about it and looking for a confident boost, this will do fine. Usually people would say a film like this is a must see, but I think it is worth a watch rather to call it not to be missed.7/10

Very, very little sports action at all. It's a decent story, and one that deserved to be told, but lighten up with the religitard propaganda. I mean seriously it was not even needed to tell this young man's story, but here we have a fine example of the zealots attempting to disguise their prosthelytizing fan fiction as an actual movie worth watching.

Where to start? Well, this was a surprise for me and a mighty good one at that. To be honest, I had never heard of Brandon Burlsworth before (I am from Ireland and don't follow American football that much) but after watching this film and doing some follow-up research I now know his story is an amazing and inspiring one and then some.Hats off to all involved, great acting, especially by Chris Severio as Brandon Burlsworth, but the other actors really played their parts convincingly too. I loved this for other reasons also, the powerful message that for those who never give up opportunities will come. Just a quick mention for actor Neal McDonough who played the part of Brandon's brother amazingly. He did a superb job; the last time I saw him was in the excellent TV series, Band of Brothers. Such a terrific actor who deserves more recognition for what he does.What's more, it is a great family film and proof it doesn't have to be all about graphic images, profanity, and innuendo. Well done to the production crew for making a movie with such an important uplifting message in an age where others seem only concerned with pushing their agenda.I urge everyone to see this because, as I said in the heading, "Every now and again something special comes along." This is one of those moments.