Gleason (2016)
94%RT Audience Score: 90%
Awards & Nominations: NA
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.
Gleason is a documentary that will make you laugh, cry, and feel all the emotions in between. It’s a raw and honest portrayal of Steve Gleason’s battle with ALS, and the unwavering support of his wife and family. While the film-making may not be the most polished, the heart and soul of the story shines through. You’ll be inspired by the courage and resilience of the human spirit, and reminded of the power of love and family. Bring tissues, and maybe some popcorn too, because this is a documentary that you won’t want to miss.
Production Company(ies)
Distributor
Amazon Studios, Open Road
Release Type
Streaming, Streaming (Prime Video), Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
MPAA / Certificate
Year of Release
2016
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby
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Aspect ratio:NA
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Runtime:1h 51m
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Language(s):
-
Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Jul 29, 2016 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 25, 2016
Genre(s)
Documentary
Keyword(s)
documentary, ALS, NFL, video journals, family, physical deterioration, J Clay Tweel, Seth Gordon, Kimi Culp, Scott Fujita, Mary Rohlich, Tom Lavia, Thomas McEachin, Kevin Lake, R, English, Jul 29 2016, Limited, Oct 25 2016, $576.6K, Amazon Studios, Open Road, Steve Gleason, Drew Brees, Mike McCready, Eddie Vedder, reviewed by Wendy Ide, Ed Potton, Peter Bradshaw, Geoffrey Macnab, Tom Huddleston, Katie Walsh, Kip Mooney, Kelechi Ehenulo, Thom Denson, Thrillist Entertainment Staff, Kiko Martinez, directed by J Clay Tweel, produced by Seth Gordon, Kimi Culp, Scott Fujita, Mary Rohlich, Tom Lavia, Thomas McEachin, Kevin Lake, written by J Clay Tweel, genre, MPAA rating, budget, box office performance, producer names, critic names, actor names
Worldwide gross: NA
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): NA
US/Canada gross: NA
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend:
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Drew Brees – Self
Mike McCready – Self
Eddie Vedder – Self
J. Clay Tweel – Director
Seth Gordon – Producer
Kimi Culp – Producer
Scott Fujita – Producer
Mary Rohlich – Producer
Tom Lavia – Producer
Thomas McEachin – Producer
Kevin Lake – Producer
J. Clay Tweel – Writer
Director(s)
J. Clay Tweel
Writer(s)
J. Clay Tweel
Producer(s)
Seth Gordon, Kimi Culp, Scott Fujita, Mary Rohlich, Tom Lavia, Thomas McEachin, Kevin Lake
Film Festivals
Sundance, South by Southwest
Awards & Nominations
NA
Academy Awards
All Critics (70) | Top Critics (32) | Fresh (67) | Rotten (3)
The film-making might not be particularly polished, but the subject matter of this documentary is wrenching.
March 19, 2017 | Rating: 3/5
Wendy Ide
Observer (UK)
TOP CRITIC
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.
March 17, 2017 | Rating: 3/5
Ed Potton
Times (UK)
TOP CRITIC
A moving testament to the courage shown by Gleason and his formidable wife, Michel …
March 16, 2017 | Rating: 4/5
Peter Bradshaw
Guardian
TOP CRITIC
The film is moving and insightful because it is more concerned with being honest than with being uplifting.
March 15, 2017 | Rating: 4/5
Geoffrey Macnab
Independent (UK)
TOP CRITIC
Frank, unashamed and bruising.
March 13, 2017 | Rating: 4/5
Tom Huddleston
Time Out
TOP CRITIC
A remarkable, heartrending portrait that showcases the triumph of the human spirit at its most raw.
December 19, 2016
Katie Walsh
Tribune News Service
TOP CRITIC
Gleason is a moving portrait of a remarkable fighter.
August 10, 2021 | Rating: B
Kip Mooney
Central Track
It’s hard to write about a film without getting emotional and Gleason will pull on every heart string that you possess.
August 26, 2020 | Rating: 4/5
Kelechi Ehenulo
Confessions From A Geek Mind
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…
March 6, 2019 | Rating: 4/5
Thom Denson
One Room With A View
What sounds like a completely devastating tearjerker is filled with humor thanks to its subjects’ candor.
November 28, 2018
Thrillist Entertainment Staff
Thrillist
Offers a profound examination on faith, forgiveness, marriage and parenthood.
January 26, 2018 | Rating: A-
Kiko Martinez
San Antonio Current
Gleason manages to instill those triumph-of-the-human-spirit feelings despite, or maybe because of, the unvarnished and uncomfortable look into the life of Gleason and those around him.
August 14, 2017
Matt Borcas
The Ringer…
Plot
Former NFL player Steve Gleason records video journals for his unborn son after being diagnosed with ALS in this emotional documentary.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
The film features former NFL player Steve Gleason and includes appearances from Drew Brees, Mike McCready, and Eddie Vedder.
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