Gleason

Play trailer

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)

Mar 19, 2017

3/5

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

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Ed Potton

The Times (UK)

Mar 17, 2017

3/5

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.

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Peter Bradshaw

Guardian

Mar 16, 2017

4/5

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

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Kip Mooney

Central Track

Aug 10, 2021

B

Gleason is a moving portrait of a remarkable fighter.

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Kelechi Ehenulo

Confessions From A Geek Mind

Aug 26, 2020

4/5

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

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Thom Denson

One Room With A View

Mar 6, 2019

4/5

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...

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stewart M

@estew Jul 25, 2024

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

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Eric R

@ericrrichard Aug 24, 2023

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.

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Jun 27, 2020

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

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Nov 15, 2017

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

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Aug 19, 2017

For those interested in sobbing like children.

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Aug 3, 2017

The best documentary I've ever seen about ALS.

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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: Amazon Studios, Open Road
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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