Great Film overall

Good story, Not enough for a whole film

It's a good bad... and worth a popcorn matinée. While it's easy to lament what could have been...

Worth seeing just to witness how winsome it is.

This is based upon a true storyThe story will open with the death of Brandon Burlsworth although we won't see any of the accident he was in. We see the beginnings of funeral arrangements for him and why his brother Marty (Neal McDonough ) cannot understand why this happened. Brandon Burlsworth (Christopher Severio) had always wanted to be a Arkansas Razorback football player and he had to try harder than most to achieve it even when it was always in doubt, mostly because of his weight. High School Coach Bender (Fredric Lehne) called him a "diamond in the rough" and hoped someone would notice. His brother Marty was 17-yrs older than Brandon and many thought he was Brandon's father. Marty wanted the best for Brandon but really didn't believe Brandon would achieve his dreams. This really isn't a football story It's a story about determination, faith and trust. Christian undertones dominate this film, but is not preachy. We see a little football, of course, but we mostly see the struggles Brandon went thru at different stages to achieve his dreams and never gave up and always tried to do better. We will see Brandon take a lot of abuse from just about everyone especially from the players he hoped to play with. Some of this will tear at your heart. Oh, and have box of Kleenex handy.It was nice to see Neal McDonough finally in a good guy role. He is a great, perhaps underrated, actor even though he plays the bad guys a lot. He always gives a very good performance and he did in here. Notables: Nick Searcy as The Farmer who tries to shake Marty's faith and it is fragile at best; Michael Parks as Leo, Brandon and Marty's alcoholic father; Leslie Easterbrook as Brandon and Marthy's adoring mother; and Mark Dobies as Coach Nutt, the coach in Brandon's senior year and he convinces the new coach not to go into a rebuild program and not to give up on this team as things will change.At the end there will be statements about how Brandon Burlsworth's life impacts many today. This is a very uplifting and impressive story about a young very impressive young man. Christopher Severio has done an excellent job portraying Brandon Burlsworth. Kudos. (9/10)Violence: Yes. Football scenes. Sex: No. Nudity: No. Humor: Yes, at times. Language: No Rating: A

If you know, going into the movie, that there are strong Christian themes, then I don't think it is too off-putting for someone who is not a Christian. I am a Christian, so my perspective may be different, but I didn't find it to be "preachy." Now, to the movie itself..the story of Brandon Burlsworth is "made for movie" material, and I think the script does Brandon's story justice. The Farmer character was a great device to help draw out Marty's inner struggle. Neal McDonough just killed it as Marty--I have a new appreciation for his acting chops. Leslie Easterbrook did yeoman's work as the mother. But my biggest problem was with Severio's acting. I want to be kind, but this role was just too big for Chris, and I don't believe he filled the shoes. He's likable, but that's just not enough to carry the role...sorry. But overall, definitely worth watching.

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

It was apparently a shocker to a few of the reviewers here, but Greater includes some Christian themes in it. If that offends you, then you probably wouldn't like this movie. If it does not offend you, then you should enjoy it. The movie is well produced, the acting is good, it is well paced, and it is definitely inspiring. And it all based fairly closely on real events. I'd give it 7 out of 10 for production value and acting, and then bump it up to 8 because it was enjoyable and inspiring.This is mostly a football biography movie, but adds in a Christian theme in the second half. I think they only people that won't enjoy this movie are people that dislike or resent the Christian content.