User Reviews

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.

What a good film and wonderful story. Hard work and faith displayed throughout the whole film. Sometimes God takes the good ones too early.

Like most of you I have seen many sport movies, this will go down as one of my favorite of all times. I live in Arkansas so I was already somewhat familiar with this tragic story. You knew going in that this story was not going to end well. It was extremely well acted and well written. I would recommend this movie to everyone whether or not you are a football fan or not. I am at the point where I like to research a movie a little bit before I pay to set down and watch one. There have been some very good movies and some very bad movies put out this year this is one of the great ones. Be sure and put this movie on your must see list you will be happy you did.

As inspirational sports stories go, this one is effective, but with an unhappy ending, which is telegraphed right at the beginning of the film. It's also a faith based story of perseverance and positive attitude, a Cinderella story if you will, of a young man seemingly ungifted in ability and desperately overweight and out of shape. However, even from a young age, Brandon Burlsworth (Christopher Severio) knew in his heart he would one day play college football for the Arkansas Razorbacks, and dedicated his life to making a difference for himself and his teammates. There's a prophetic scene that takes place when Brandon is treated to an evening out with his teammates, with the conversation turning to the concept of death. Brandon's response was "... when it's your time to go, it's your time to go".

Throughout the film, emphasis is brought back to Brandon's older brother by seventeen years, portrayed by Neal McDonough. Marty Burlsworth, in the aftermath of Brandon's death, suffers a crisis of conscience that questions his family's faith in God. A foil for Marty is provided by the character of The Farmer (Nick Searcy), who rejects the notion of life after death, and seems intent on tipping Marty over to his agnostic side. One might consider The Farmer as the devil on Marty's shoulder, whispering in his ear the way it's sometimes represented in less serious movies. The angel, if there is one, would be represented by Marty's mother (Leslie Easterbrook), who never loses faith and belief in her younger son to attain his dream.

There's one very odd scene that the takes place during the first football game that's shown in the movie. Taking place at the Razorback home stadium, the crowd in attendance rises to give the legendary hog call, but it's only one side of the stadium facing the players that give the cheer. The other half of the arena behind the players remain seated and silent. I can't imagine why it was filmed that way, but if you didn't notice it, go back and take a look. Very strange.

It's almost comical. The acting is so subpar that you can't help but chuckle along.

We've all seen this premise over and over again. A worst to first story of a nothing kid who wants to do something great. This time is to play College ball in the SEC. We watch his road to perseverance guided by his faith. Excuse me as I roll my eyes.

Each acting performance is lamer than the next. Each scene is dry and bland. Nothing exciting ever happens. Oh wait, there was the mozzarella stick dinner date when his so called friends bought him two strawberry daiquiris but said they were milkshakes. Just terrible. You just can't trust anyone when you're striving to be the best.

There is zero percent rewatch value nor does it have much first watch value. Yikes.