MonsterPerfect Good idea lost in the noise

Murphy Howard I enjoyed watching this film and would recommend other to give it a try , (as I am) but this movie, although enjoyable to watch due to the better than average acting fails to add anything new to its storyline that is all too familiar to these types of movies.

Rio Hayward All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

Kien Navarro Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

haphazard72 Every so often you see something that puts life in perspecpctive. This is the one.You watch this and come away reflecting on how you live, what you're doing with your life, and how your friends and family fit in with everything.I didn't have a clue who Steve is or what he'd done in the lead up to his ALS diagnosis, but I just watched this on a crowded plane and tried hard to hide the tears (not sure I succeeded!).Steve has achieved so much! Whilst ALS has changed his life drastically, he's fought and pushed hard to make a difference. Having said that, I don't think enough can be said for his wife, Michele, and what she's worked through- a new born and then growing son while her husband becomes more and more dependant in her- an amazing lady!Great movie. Watch it!

ansel1261 Gleason is more than a movie, it's a life experience as well as statement on life and fatherhood. Art imitates life. You can't get better acting than real life. The main characters in the movie held nothing back. IT WAS REAL! And I mean that literally. I would be surprised if there was a dry eye in theater. My eyes started getting a little watery during the trailer. I was able to keep it together during the movie. I'm an old school guy, don't cry at movies much. Took a look at the IMDb top 250 movies, in my opinion, "Gleason" can stand its own with any of them.

TxMike My wife and I found this on Amazon Prime streaming films. She bailed on it about 30 minutes from the end in a particularly difficult scene. It pulls no punches, we get to see exactly what a person goes through in the first few years after early symptoms appear and the diagnosis is made.The subject is Steve Gleason who, after highly successful school and college athletics found himself playing standout pro football for the New Orleans Saints. He was rough and tough, also very intelligent, and seemed to never quit. At age 34 he started having some unusual symptoms and shortly was diagnosed with ALS.(As an aside I just watched 'Concussion' which deals with CTE caused by head trauma that long-time football players experience so I immediately wondered if it could also trigger ALS. The research is ongoing but so far experts in the fields have no evidence of a link.)Most of the film takes place in New Orleans, Steve married Michel Varisco, she of course has a key role in his life and in this documentary. I used to live in the New Orleans area and I recognize Varisco as a genuine family name for that area. Michel was always an energetic and happy person, and for the most part remains that way, but as the film progresses you can see the stress she experiences.When Steve received his diagnosis and his prognosis, not good, he and Michel were determined to have a child, and the result is a boy, Rivers, who it seems inherited most of his physical features from his mom. Much of the film is Steve leaving video for his son so that he will be able to see dad as he was before being debilitated by the disease.Plus the film covers Steve's work to form the foundation that among other things raises money for ALS research, and to lobby Congress for proper medical coverage for ALS victims. It is not a pretty picture, to see a formerly elite athlete deal with his quick degeneration into helplessness, but it does show how one can deal with it, and perhaps a reminder to all that life is precious, always live it as if today were your last. Don't take life, health, and relationships for granted.Steve's dad, Mike Gleason, also had a key role as related to father-son relationships.

RustyShacklefordd I watched this film knowing almost nothing about expect that it was a documentary and it had received great reception. I'm not a football fan and had no idea who Steve Gleason was. With that said, it didn't take away any of my enjoyment from this powerful documentary.The film follows retired NFL player Steve Gleason who is diagnosed with ALS just months before the birth of his son. As he prepares a video dairy for his son, we watch as Steve deals with the disease as it progresses as well as his family as they embark with him on the long and difficult journey. Even without any knowledge of his football career, the film does a great job of quickly introducing to Steve and his family and giving us a background of their live. Although Steve is the star here, his wife Michele also equally shares the spotlight with him as we get to know her and watch her world change as he helps support her husband.Although I highly recommend this film, be warned it's very difficult to watch. The film does not shy away from just how horrific of a disease ALS is and shows us Steve at several points where he is at his worst with the disease to the point he nearly gives up. What makes the film worth it though is watching somebody like Steve who once had it all have the courage and strength to want to continue living his life in his condition for the sake of his family. By the end of the film, it's hard not walk away without thinking of Steve Gleason as one of the most inspiring people to ever live. It's the kind of film that when it's over makes you want to go outside and look around and makes you appreciate your own life and the ones around you. The only thing that really keeps the film from being perfect that it is a bit long at nearly 2 hours and a few scenes could've been trimmed down. If you enjoy documentaries and inspiring stories, this film is a must watch and one of the best documentaries I've seen in a long time!