Absolutely Brilliant!

This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.

This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

The best films of this genre always show a path and provide a takeaway for being a better person.

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.

I'll be quick, this is my first time reviewing a movie.Although I often considered doing it, I never felt as compelled to do it than right now after watching Greater.The reason is simply that Brandon Bulsworth's story is inspiring and was an amazing material for a great sports movie. However, the last 15 minutes is akin to be in a church during a sermon.So - I recommend watching this film for the story and camaraderie - but be aware that it's blatant religious propaganda. I would be scared to show this to my children as it would seriously allow them to start thinking that they "are too small to see the bigger picture".The whole point of the movie is to make a metaphor of life with what happens on a football pitch. I.e. The players only see so close to them but the coach sees the bigger picture. Human's only narrowly see in front of them but god sees the bigger picture.I really enjoyed the viewing experience until this ruined it for me.P.S. If you are religious - go for it - you will love it.

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.

First of all I would like to say that this review is not an attack on any of the real life characters within the story. I'm sure they are all nice people, and Brandon certainly seemed to change peoples lives for the better. He also battled adversity from an early age which again is to be commended. My problem is purely with the film itself, which I realized too late (about 40 mins into the film) that there were Christian undertones running right through the core of it, and certainly the last part of the film felt like I should have been sitting in a hall with a preacher in front of me. I am a Christian myself, God does not offend me in any way, nor his many followers. But what does offend me is the feeling of being duped into being given a sermon about "Gods will" every couple of minutes. I also feel that had the makers not concentrated so much on "spreading the word", and centered on the story of a sporting underdog done great, it would have been a good film. To call this film the greatest sporting film ever is quite frankly absurd, at best it is a TV movie for a rainy Monday afternoon, and that is if there is absolutely nothing else on. As a person, Brandon left his mark on this world which few of us get to do, but I personally feel that the film could have been so much better.