Powerful

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

It is neither dumb nor smart enough to be fun, and spends way too much time with its boring human characters.

I have spent my career seeing the end stages of ALS patients. Setting them up so they would be comfortable at home. Taking care of them in the hospital. I think ALS and Myasthenia Gravis are 2 of the scariest syndrome/diseases to have. There are a lot more scary ones that don't make it to adulthood. This documentary was raw and gritty. And was not wrapped up in a bow. The fears, insecurities, relationship issues of the spouse as the caregiver etc... I cried. Steve Gleason has given the world a hard look at debilitating neurological diseases. May God bless him and his family. I sincerely believe there is no real lesson in suffering and dying a lingering death. Or in dying young. I believe this family made a difference. With grace and dignity.

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.

Having been a New Orleans Saints Fan since 1973 I can honestly say that Who-Dats (Saints Fans) live and die by the New Orleans Saints. Watching the events of Katrina unfold, and the rebuilding of the SuperDome one could only, as a Saints Fan hope for a good season. What I am saying is there is always a unique excitement around anything New Orleans. When Steve blocked that punt against The Saints most bitter rival the Falcons for a touchdown I let out a yell that could have shattered glass. Finding out Steve was diagnosed with ALS did shatter that glass.Now my unbiased review of "Gleason". Thank You Steve and Michel for this open look into the life of someone with ALS. Taking the time to document and experience travel, or bucket list, and live the best you can while you can. Even larger continuing to genuinely give of yourself for others. Best of all, giving to your family. All the while the disease progressing and deteriorating a bodies ability to function.Watching the transformation of Steve is very tough, and at times unnerving. Observing Steve and Michel's unwavering honesty is gut wrenching. Reflecting on just how much they both have accomplished through this ordeal is remarkable.Gleason is a clear eyed and excellently presented documentary.

On September 25, 2006, the New Orleans Saints returned to their home turf, the Superdome, nearly two years after Hurricane Katrina had turned it into a sad, makeshift refugee camp for thousands of displaced families. On that Monday night, New Orleanians needed a rebirth. Saints safety Steve Gleason, a small, Rudy-esque standout who played his college ball with the Washington State Cougars, gave them just that when he blocked a punt that led the Saints to their first touchdown since Katrina. Gleason had New Orleans' back. Five years later, Gleason needed the city to have his back. In 2011, Steve Gleason was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). And just six weeks after his diagnosis, he discovered his wife, Michel, was pregnant with their first child. Knowing he would be able to see his child grow up, Steve began a video blog to impart wisdom to his son. That, along with interviews with family and friends, became the inspiring and heartbreaking documentary "Gleason."What can I say? If you don't like wiping tears and snot from your face as you cry your way through half of a two-hour movie, maybe you're better off not seeing "Gleason." And this isn't the work of paid actors overdoing it for dramatic effect or composers calculating which violin at which time will tug your heartstrings most effectively. These are real people struggling to live with their scary new lives. This is a candid conversation between a father and son, or a home video in the hospital after the birth of a child. Steve Gleason isn't afraid to show you himself at his worst— struggling to control his bowels, crying on camera as he tries to record a video message his son can watch when he's old enough. "Gleason" stays on message, a message of resilience in the face of adversity. But as much as it inspires and educates, above all, "Gleason" is a portal for you to access emotions you might have bottled up. But then, when it's over, stop blubbering, wipe away those tears, and contribute some money and time to defeating ALS. Because even though the ice buckets have long since melted, the cause is still very real for many people fighting to stay alive, and for the courageous spouses and family members putting in overtime to keep their loved ones with them. "Gleason" is a call to action. Heed the call.