This is based upon a true storyThe story will open with the death of Brandon Burlsworth although we won't see any of the accident he was in. We see the beginnings of funeral arrangements for him and why his brother Marty (Neal McDonough ) cannot understand why this happened. Brandon Burlsworth (Christopher Severio) had always wanted to be a Arkansas Razorback football player and he had to try harder than most to achieve it even when it was always in doubt, mostly because of his weight. High School Coach Bender (Fredric Lehne) called him a "diamond in the rough" and hoped someone would notice. His brother Marty was 17-yrs older than Brandon and many thought he was Brandon's father. Marty wanted the best for Brandon but really didn't believe Brandon would achieve his dreams. This really isn't a football story It's a story about determination, faith and trust. Christian undertones dominate this film, but is not preachy. We see a little football, of course, but we mostly see the struggles Brandon went thru at different stages to achieve his dreams and never gave up and always tried to do better. We will see Brandon take a lot of abuse from just about everyone especially from the players he hoped to play with. Some of this will tear at your heart. Oh, and have box of Kleenex handy.It was nice to see Neal McDonough finally in a good guy role. He is a great, perhaps underrated, actor even though he plays the bad guys a lot. He always gives a very good performance and he did in here. Notables: Nick Searcy as The Farmer who tries to shake Marty's faith and it is fragile at best; Michael Parks as Leo, Brandon and Marty's alcoholic father; Leslie Easterbrook as Brandon and Marthy's adoring mother; and Mark Dobies as Coach Nutt, the coach in Brandon's senior year and he convinces the new coach not to go into a rebuild program and not to give up on this team as things will change.At the end there will be statements about how Brandon Burlsworth's life impacts many today. This is a very uplifting and impressive story about a young very impressive young man. Christopher Severio has done an excellent job portraying Brandon Burlsworth. Kudos. (9/10)Violence: Yes. Football scenes. Sex: No. Nudity: No. Humor: Yes, at times. Language: No Rating: A

As a Christian, nothing I hare more than dishonest piety. They turned a great story about a great person that was Christian and made it an American sermon about God using a football player like he was a donkey. If you want to preach to non-believers, show them that Christians are just ordinary people with an extraordinary gift of Faith. This movie is so predictable. Written for a 3rd grader. Acted poorly...beyond poor. This movie is preaching to the choir which is not what Jesus did. This is not a movie that Jesus would do. This is what the Pharisees would do. Cultural Christianity without any merit. I want this story retold by a great director with great actors and writers that have done more than children's books. The Croods is an example of a Christian message about Faith, Hope and Love that reached 1000 times more people around the world than Greater will ever imagine. Incompetence movie making is not an effective Evangelical tool. The 10/10 reviews is a clear campaign to promote religious dogma which is not WWJD. BTW...shame on Hollywood for ignoring a great story that puts Rudy to shame.

This film is based on a true story, the life of Brandon Burlsworth (Christopher Severio) which we know was cut short as the film opens as preparations are made for his funeral, or celebration of life. The present is perhaps the subplot for his life which starts 10 years earlier with young Burlsworth as an obese child picked on for his weight. Brandon was mono-focused wanting to play for the Arkansas Razorbacks in college and the NFL. The film goes through his trials and tribulations as Brandon rejects a football scholarship from Arkansas Tech to being an invited walk-on with the Razorbacks. He was told he would never get a scholarship and never play. Brandon through faith and work proves himself.The present part of the film shows us Martin Burlsworth, Brandon's older brother by 17 years. He is struggling with his faith. A whittling farmer (Nick Searcy) is cast as a faith antagonist because film makers believe they must have one to create a message.This is an excellent faith based film. Might be a little hokey for some people, but even so, Brandon's life has made a mark.Guide: No swearing, sex, or nudity...not even at an SEC college.

I can't add anything more than what most every other reviewer has said, other than to add my "Amen!"There are several other "faith-based" movies (not nearly enough), but it's such a challenge to achieve a balance between the message of faith and trust that these movies are sharing, and the need for an engaging and entertaining experience. Greater nails this balance right on the head.The acting was done so very well and the story was so powerful and moving. I loved the dialog between the "farmer" on the field with Brandon's brother Marty. Their dialog hits on most every thought that most believers have faced in their minds and hearts."Greater" stands as a testament to the power of God's love in our lives and how He can bring us through all of our trials when we trust Him.