Gleason

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2:24

Gleason

R

2016

1h 51m

Documentary

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

96%

Tomatometer

69 Reviews

90%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

Diagnosed with ALS, former NFL football player Steve Gleason starts to record video journals for his unborn son.

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Critics Consensus

Gleason stands out among sports-themed documentaries by offering a clear-eyed look at its subject's physical deterioration -- and an intimate portrait of the family affected by his ordeal.

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Wendy Ide

Observer (UK)

The film-making might not be particularly polished, but the subject matter of this documentary is wrenching.

Rated: 3/5

Mar 19, 2017

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Ed Potton

The Times (UK)

The power of Clay Tweel's tear-jerking documentary, based on Gleason's video diaries, comes from the honesty and humour with which Gleason presents the gradual loss of control over his bodily functions.

Rated: 3/5

Mar 17, 2017

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Peter Bradshaw

Guardian

A moving testament to the courage shown by Gleason and his formidable wife, Michel ...

Rated: 4/5

Mar 16, 2017

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Kip Mooney

Central Track

Gleason is a moving portrait of a remarkable fighter.

Rated: B

Aug 10, 2021

Full Review

Kelechi Ehenulo

Confessions From A Geek Mind

It's hard to write about a film without getting emotional and Gleason will pull on every heart string that you possess.

Rated: 4/5

Aug 26, 2020

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Thom Denson

One Room With A View

As one of the most moving documentaries of recent times, Gleason displays humanity in cuttingly stark detail. It finds beauty in the brutality of existence in the face of adversity...

Rated: 4/5

Mar 6, 2019

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stewart M

gut wrenching powerful raw unforgetable. A view into the most intimate moments of a family dealing with the most difficult medical diagnosis imaginable.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/25/24

Full Review

Eric R

Wow. That was a deep movie. Hard to watch but very emotional. I think what made it particularly hard was watching him go from an NFL professional -- strong, big, powerful -- to just withering away. And yet knowing that his brain was fully functional even as his body decayed. The relationship with his wife was so authentic and real. And his challenges so palpable. They don't have any "end credit", but I was surprised to learn that he is still alive 4 years after the movie came out.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/24/23

Full Review

Audience Member

The amount of obstacles his wife and he overcame and continue to, what an inspiration

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

06/27/20

Full Review

Audience Member

What a story. I was trying to complete a task wile watching this movie. But was captivated by the story immediately. I put my task away and watched intently for 2 hours without blinking. A great story told simply, wile raising awareness for a noble cause. 5/5

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/15/17

Full Review

Audience Member

For those interested in sobbing like children.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/16/23

Full Review

Audience Member

The best documentary I've ever seen about ALS.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/21/23

Full Review

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J. Clay Tweel

Director

Steve Gleason

Self

Drew Brees

Self

Mike McCready

Self

Eddie Vedder

Self

J. Clay Tweel

Screenwriter

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Gleason: Trailer 1

2:24

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Synopsis

Diagnosed with ALS, former NFL football player Steve Gleason starts to record video journals for his unborn son.

Director: J. Clay Tweel
Producer: Seth Gordon, Kimi Culp, Scott Fujita, Mary Rohlich, Kevin Lake
Screenwriter: J. Clay Tweel
Distributor: Open Road, Amazon Studios
Production Co: IMG Original Content, IMG, Seth Gordon, Dear Rivers Productions, Exhibit A
Rating: R (Language)
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 29, 2016, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 25, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $576.6K
Runtime: 1h 51m

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