Good concept, poorly executed.

It's hard to see any effort in the film. There's no comedy to speak of, no real drama and, worst of all.

The acting in this movie is really good.

Great example of an old-fashioned, pure-at-heart escapist event movie that doesn't pretend to be anything that it's not and has boat loads of fun being its own ludicrous self.

I have spent my career seeing the end stages of ALS patients. Setting them up so they would be comfortable at home. Taking care of them in the hospital. I think ALS and Myasthenia Gravis are 2 of the scariest syndrome/diseases to have. There are a lot more scary ones that don't make it to adulthood. This documentary was raw and gritty. And was not wrapped up in a bow. The fears, insecurities, relationship issues of the spouse as the caregiver etc... I cried. Steve Gleason has given the world a hard look at debilitating neurological diseases. May God bless him and his family. I sincerely believe there is no real lesson in suffering and dying a lingering death. Or in dying young. I believe this family made a difference. With grace and dignity.

My wife and I found this on Amazon Prime streaming films. She bailed on it about 30 minutes from the end in a particularly difficult scene. It pulls no punches, we get to see exactly what a person goes through in the first few years after early symptoms appear and the diagnosis is made.The subject is Steve Gleason who, after highly successful school and college athletics found himself playing standout pro football for the New Orleans Saints. He was rough and tough, also very intelligent, and seemed to never quit. At age 34 he started having some unusual symptoms and shortly was diagnosed with ALS.(As an aside I just watched 'Concussion' which deals with CTE caused by head trauma that long-time football players experience so I immediately wondered if it could also trigger ALS. The research is ongoing but so far experts in the fields have no evidence of a link.)Most of the film takes place in New Orleans, Steve married Michel Varisco, she of course has a key role in his life and in this documentary. I used to live in the New Orleans area and I recognize Varisco as a genuine family name for that area. Michel was always an energetic and happy person, and for the most part remains that way, but as the film progresses you can see the stress she experiences.When Steve received his diagnosis and his prognosis, not good, he and Michel were determined to have a child, and the result is a boy, Rivers, who it seems inherited most of his physical features from his mom. Much of the film is Steve leaving video for his son so that he will be able to see dad as he was before being debilitated by the disease.Plus the film covers Steve's work to form the foundation that among other things raises money for ALS research, and to lobby Congress for proper medical coverage for ALS victims. It is not a pretty picture, to see a formerly elite athlete deal with his quick degeneration into helplessness, but it does show how one can deal with it, and perhaps a reminder to all that life is precious, always live it as if today were your last. Don't take life, health, and relationships for granted.Steve's dad, Mike Gleason, also had a key role as related to father-son relationships.

(I thought that "O.J.:Made In America" was going to be the best doc of 2016.)This is an amazing movie. It is an intensely personal movie of a man & his wife/life partner/angel living with one of the most life-sucking illnesses known to mankind. It's tough to watch. It is worth the effort. I struggle with words 3 nights removed from witnessing this film. This is a story of courage, pain, triumph, faith (not in the way you would expect), friendship, sacrifice &, above all, love. There are so many levels deftly handled & addressed in this film. It ends with an odd subtext of man melding into a machine. (Forgive me. I love sci-fi).IDK. I do know it is one of the very films of 2016. SEE IT!

LJ'S QUICK MOVIE REVIEW"Gleason" is a heartfelt documentary that follows Steve Gleason's inspiring battle with ALS. Gleason, a former NFL player, was best known for his memorable tenure with the Saints. Now, he's better known for spreading awareness, support, and hope for the ALS cause.This uncensored emotional roller coaster will take you through 5-years of Gleason's life. He teaches you about his sorrows, triumphs, and goals. The rich commentary and interactions with Gleason, his family, and his foundation fill you with respect for Gleason's great contributions to society.Not only does "Gleason" give you a new perspective on those overcoming disabilities, it also inspires you to live your own life to the fullest extent and help others do the same. I sincerely recommend watching this amazing documentary.If you found this quick review helpful, I'd really appreciate it if you could visit LJ's Movie Facts on Facebook.