THV 11 Movie Reviews: Greater

MercyMe - Greater (Official Lyric Video)

Jonathan Nettles, KTHV 3:23 PM. EDT August 26, 2016

-- (Photo: Wikipedia)

Greater is the story of Brandon Burlsworth. Burlsworth was an Offensive Lineman for the Arkansas Razorback from 1995-1998. He started his career as a walk-on and through hard work and dedication, he not only earned a scholarship and a starting position but he was named a First Team All-American and eventually drafted in 1999 by the Indianapolis Colts. Tragically, he died in a car accident 11 days after being drafted.

His life story continues to serves as inspiration for the underdog. The Brandon Burlsworth Foundation provides free eye care to children in poverty and also provides tickets to each Arkansas Razorback home game to impoverished youth. The Brandon Burlsworth Trophy is given to the most outstanding Division 1 Football player who began his career as a walk-on.

Greater is told from Brandons funeral as his older brother Marty reflects on his life. It starts with Brandon as a probably 13 year-old kid (Marty is 17 years older) and builds the foundation for their relationship as a family. Brandon has dreams of playing for the Arkansas Razorbacks and as he goes to playing on the high school football team, he still has that dream. He walks-on at Arkansas at a staggering 335 pounds but its not muscle and he struggles to keep up in practice. Relegated to the practice squad and facing an enormous uphill climb he drops his weight to a fit 275 pounds and then builds back up to a muscled 300 pound lineman. By the end of the season, hes earned the respect of his teammates, a scholarship, and a spot on the team.

Greater is a really, well-made film. It has some really good actors. Neal McDonough (TVs Legends of Tomorrow) is a great character actor who is normally in supporting roles but shines and commands the screen as Marty Burlsworth. Michael Parks (Red State, Tusk) is another solid character actor who does well as Brandons deadbeat Dad. Brandons Mom was played by Leslie Easterbrook (Police Academy) and she does well but her character seems a little too happy at her sons funeral and she doesnt look like she was old enough to have two sons that were born 17 years apart. Christopher Severio is pretty good as Brandon Burlsworth but hes the weakest of the main cast. Thats not a knock against him. Everyone in this movie was pretty good.

The characters in this movie all feel very noble. Even Brandons father who is a terrible person, comes across as a noble soul. When he starts his career, his teammates are mean and bully Brandon but their nobility comes though when he becomes a good football player. Coaches are noble. Rowdy fans become noble. Everyone felt a little too noble. Theres a scene in the film in which Brandon apologizes to another player for a mistake that cost the team a victory. I wont mention the players name but I asked him about it and he said that Brandon didnt apologize but he owned his mistake. In fairness, the player in question hasnt seen the movie yet so he cant really comment on what was truth and what was exaggerated. Sometimes movies tweak the story to fit the narrative, not that it matters in this case because most will agree that Brandon was a pretty good person and that scene helped the audience understand the kind of player he was and the effect he had on those around him.

I am still curious to know how close the portrayal of Brandon and his relationship to his teammates is to what really happened.

There is an undertone of Faith and Religion that may be off-putting to some. Some will say that Greater sends a message of if you pray and trust G*d, good things will happen but I took it as a if you work hard and dedicate yourself, good things will happen. There are scenes where Brandon expresses his faith and shares in bible study with a coach and his teammates but the message of that isnt thrown in your face. Of course, good things happened to Brandon Burlsworth but he also died so young and that should make you ask why. This is a struggle that Marty faces through the film, If G*d is so good then why do bad things happen to good people while evil men thrive. Its a question that the film doesnt answer except to say that Brandon was able to achieve so much because he had faith in G*d and also in himself and even though he is gone, his legacy continues.

If you love the Hogs and you love Underdogs, then you will love Greater. You will laugh, you will cry, and you will cheer but most importantly you will be inspired.

Also in theaters this week

Don"t Breathe is a thriller about three young thieves who break into the home of a blind man in search of the score of a lifetime. They quickly find out that this blind man is not as feeble as he seems. Their easy heist turns into a game of cat and mouse as every sound they make could mean lead to their demise. Don"t Breathe is directed by Fede Alvarez who recently helmed the remake of The Evil Dead and is produced by the Sam Raimi and Rob Tapert.

Jason Statham returns as Arthur Bishop aka the Mechanic in Mechanic: Resurrection which is the sequel to the 2011 action thriller, The Mechanic. When the deceitful actions of a cunning but beautiful woman forces him to return to the life he left behind, Bishop"s life is once again in danger as he has to complete an impossible list of assassinations of the most dangerous men in the world.

Inspired by Barack and Michelle Obama"s first date, Southside With You recounts the eventful summer day in 1989 when a young law firm associate named Barack Obama tried to woo lawyer Michelle Robinson during a day-long date that took them from the Art Institute of Chicago to a screening of Spike Lee"s Do the Right Thing to the site of their first kiss outside of an ice cream parlor. Its not a political film, its just a love story.

Now Available on Streaming:Our Last Tango (Un Tango Mas)Sweet Bean (An)The Way Back11 Minutes (11 Minut)O.J.: Made in AmericaKing GeorgesThe Jungle BookMaggies PlanThe Man Who Knew Infinity

Available on DVD & Blu-Ray:The Nice GuysMaggies PlanWiener-DogClownThe Huntsman: Winters WarRatchet & ClankWoman in the Dunes (Suna No Onna)A Taste of Honey

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