Gleason

Name: Gleason
Genre: Documentary
Released: July 29, 2016
Duration: 110 min
Rating: 80
Cast: Steve Gleason

2016

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 29 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 13 Ratings

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8.0

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8.0	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 13 Ratings

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Gleason

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Movie Details & Credits

Open Road Films (II) | Release Date: July 29, 2016 | Not Rated

Starring: Steve Gleason

Summary: At the age of 34, former New Orleans Saints defensive back Steve Gleason was diagnosed with ALS and given a life expectancy of two to five years. Weeks later, Gleason found out his wife, Michel, was expecting their first child. A video journal that began as a gift for his unborn son expands to chronicle Steve’s determination to get hisAt the age of 34, former New Orleans Saints defensive back Steve Gleason was diagnosed with ALS and given a life expectancy of two to five years. Weeks later, Gleason found out his wife, Michel, was expecting their first child. A video journal that began as a gift for his unborn son expands to chronicle Steve’s determination to get his relationships in order, build a foundation to provide other ALS patients with purpose, and adapt to his declining physical condition—utilizing medical technologies that offer the means to live as fully as possible.… Expand

Director: J. Clay Tweel

Genre(s): Documentary

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 110 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Joe Morgenstern

Jul 28, 2016

Gleason is so powerful in its cumulative effect that it should be accompanied by a consumer advisory — something along the lines of “This documentary may cause sudden alterations of mood and attitude.” Read full review

Sheri Linden

Jul 28, 2016

If this film portrait stirs deep emotions, they spring from a breathtakingly unsentimental embrace of life at its most challenging. Read full review

Moira Macdonald

Jul 28, 2016

There are moments in Gleason where it’s very hard — whether you know ALS or are new to it — to look at the screen; moments so devastating you wonder how this couple, and those who love them, can bear it. But there’s also, in this remarkable film, evidence of astonishing courage and miraculous love. Read full review

John DeFore

May 30, 2016

Focused much more intently on video journals Gleason made as his illness progressed, the film both documents his rapid physical decline and ponders the many existential issues it raises — especially for a married couple expecting their first child in a few months. Read full review

Brad Wheeler

Aug 11, 2016

It’s a tough watch, but inspiring. Read full review

Pat Padua

Aug 4, 2016

Gleason portrays great strength and great suffering in equal measure, lending vivid credence to tired platitudes about what it means to live life to the fullest. Read full review

The Film Stage Daniel Schindel

Jul 28, 2016

If I go on about how Gleason’s convention-bound filmmaking and drawn-out running time dampened my reaction to Steve Gleason’s journey, am I being a good critic, or just a dick? Read full review

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User Reviews

Giulius

Aug 14, 2016

Devastating, and absolutely unforgettable. Includes an incredibly candid depiction of the effects of the title character's disability on his wife, who tries to stay sane while dealing with her husband's increasingly severe affliction. If, like me, you're dealing with the inevitable troublesDevastating, and absolutely unforgettable. Includes an incredibly candid depiction of the effects of the title character's disability on his wife, who tries to stay sane while dealing with her husband's increasingly severe affliction. If, like me, you're dealing with the inevitable troubles of aging, see this film for a little...um...balance. An Oscar winner.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Coco5150

Oct 29, 2016

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. An absolute must see for any one that loves someone (clearly the critic who gave this film a 50 is a loner with no life - who reviews a movie about a man's progression of ALS, watches his wife, children and family endure the excruciating cruelty that is ALS and scores a 50? He probably is an ex-actor that stared in a few commercials for tampons and never went past a screen test so he decided to become a film critic whatever that means - working the popcorn stand at the theater in between writing reviews?) DO NOT read that review it is stupidity at its finest and yes he is a total d**k. Hopefully he won't get hit by a bus tomorrow and have to wake up paralyzed from the neck down and have some loser critic score him a "50". Where do these people come from? This film will rip your heart out and make you feel truly grateful for every day that you are well. The most amazing person in this documentary is his wife, Machel. She is an unbelievable woman and is a pillar of strength. She has a very bright future. This disease spares no one in its path - I applaud them for making this film to raise awareness for this devastating illness. I had no idea as to ghe amount of physical, and (even worse) mental suffering that a person endures as the the disease takes its grip. They are both incredibly brave. My thoughts and prayers go out to the entire family. Brutally raw and honest but with a very personal narrative since Steve records his own difficult journey into the darkest part of ALS.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

gracjanski

Aug 21, 2022

This documentary is still in my head, although I watched it yesterday. I cried often in this movie to see how this disease is destroying the life. It was very sad to see how normal function of the body are stopping to work and what terror that means for Gleason and how much help he needs.This documentary is still in my head, although I watched it yesterday. I cried often in this movie to see how this disease is destroying the life. It was very sad to see how normal function of the body are stopping to work and what terror that means for Gleason and how much help he needs. One scene caught me a lot. Gleasons foundation fulfilled some trips for ALS patients and you could see how happy a patient was to go to Italy and cried because of that. In 5 days I will fly to Kenya, am only little excited because I travelled so much and for me it is normal. I was even so lazy, that I didnt organize much. So I felt, how lucky I am to see the world alone and without any problems. In addition I organized some hosts today already.

Enough of sad situations. The humour sometimes... perfect dark humour.

The movie is beautiful also...what a contrast to the sad conditions. I was stunned by the help and solidarity by his wife and how eager Gleason is to be a good father. A big punch in the face to feminism and the system we are living in the western world. I am 39 and not married because of the danger of being married (men going their own way :) ). But some of the scenes could shake my opinion ... for a short moment of course ;)… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Brent_Marchant

Aug 6, 2016

An excellent, compellingly candid documentary about a remarkable man on a remarkable journey. The raw honesty and uplifting inspiration showcased here are astounding, portrayed with an uncensored frankness rarely depicted on screen. Even though the film is at times heartbreaking, itsAn excellent, compellingly candid documentary about a remarkable man on a remarkable journey. The raw honesty and uplifting inspiration showcased here are astounding, portrayed with an uncensored frankness rarely depicted on screen. Even though the film is at times heartbreaking, its celebration of personal heroism and the spirit to carry on despite the odds is touching, enlightening and mesmerizing.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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