Beystiman
It's fun, it's light, [but] it has a hard time when its tries to get heavy.
SparkMore
n my opinion it was a great movie with some interesting elements, even though having some plot holes and the ending probably was just too messy and crammed together, but still fun to watch and not your casual movie that is similar to all other ones.
Wyatt
There's no way I can possibly love it entirely but I just think its ridiculously bad, but enjoyable at the same time.
surfercharlie25
There seems to be a pattern among the greatest of the ABC Movies of the Week, movies such as Don't Be Afraid of the Dark, Trilogy of Terror, Duel, among others. While the style of the TV movie looks much the same as others (due to TV-sized budgets), the story is so involving that it transcends its style. "Brian's Song" is a perfect example of this.The story emotionally connects us with Brian Piccolo and Gale Sayers almost immediately. We care about what happens to the characters, and the chemistry Billy Dee Williams and James Caan have together totally sells the viewer on their friendship. As the plot thickens, our connection with the characters carries us through. Even though the style of the movie is a bit shoddy and carries a bit of '70s cheesiness, it adds to the charm of the movie and doesn't really matter as one watches it.Personally, I loved this movie and I did tear up. I don't think it's possible to watch this movie without doing so. The remake doesn't hold a candle to this.
annmason1
It seems unfeeling not to love this movie. I do love the relationship it portrayed. BUT who on earth picked James Caan to play Brian Piccolo? He is Jewish, definitely not twenty six, and not a football player. Who cast this film? Caan would have been better as the guy who owned the Bears. Yes, there was no such part, but he would have played it more believably.Billy Dee Williams is wonderful. The story is wonderful, very tragic, but the warning at the beginning of the movie (Hemmingway's quote that "all good stories end in death") was helpful. I knew the outcome, of course, but I like the upfront approach.I also like the fact this film did not try to make a statement about black/white relations, but kept the story about two men who loved and supported one another. An excellent film, but I would have cast someone like Sylvester Stallone as Brian. He has the ethnicity, the correct age at the time, and the aura of a football player.
steven_winkler6
I had no idea until recently that this was a TV movie. It has all the markings of an Oscar Winning feature film. The fact that neither Caan nor Williams won an Emmy is quite fascinating. Hard to believe that this is the same guy (caan) who was portraying Sonny Corleone in the Godfather at the same time. If you get the DVD, put on the commentary over the movie.It's James Caan and Billy De Williams narrating and it's great. The NFL films inserts are great as well. I do wish it could have been longer, but I'd rather have a great short film than a full length feature film that's boring.
waynec50
"Brian's Song", the 1971 version was the rarest of things, an excellent TV movie. Great cast of stars on their way up such as Billy Dee Williams, James Caan and Shelley Fabares, augmented by Jack Warden, Bernie Casey and David Huddleston, with several actual Chicago Bears. This movie is full of actual conversations between the players, who are real people with prejudices and human weaknesses. Yes, those are racial stereotypes and epithets, just like were used in that time, not the sanitized, soulless P C drivel of this day. The story is powerful, the friendship that builds between two men about as different as Americans can be. James Caan is Brian Piccolo, the overachieving, loudmouthed Italian boy. Billy Dee Williams is Gale Sayers, a gifted, shy African-American All-American, high profile running back who is pestered and ridiculed by Brian in the early stages of the story, but who becomes the ideal friend. Jack Warden portrays coach George Halas. Bernie Casey is the savvy and practical veteran player, J. C. Caroline, one of the Bears who mentors young Black players in the NFL/Bears way. As Brian and Gale help each other through training camp, injuries and ultimately death, the actors mesh perfectly, conveying the joy, excitement,camaraderie, practical jokes, triumphs and tragedies of life in the spotlight. Don't miss this movie, it has humor, sports, romance, dedication, vintage football clips and an inspiring message. Don't confuse this 1971 version with the weak remake. An unquestionable 10 that will be enjoyed by just about everyone, football fan or not. An added bonus is the great score. Buzz Kulik did a great job directing this movie, getting fine performances out of not only the real actors, but also the real Bears players and coaches.
