GLEASON

US, 2016, 110 minutes, Colour.
Directed by J. Clay Tweel.
Gleason is a very moving American documentary, screened at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival and going on to be nominated for many awards for Best Documentary.

The film focuses on Steve Gleason, a man with a strong NFL reputation, various football sequences included, from his early days in north-west US and to his status as a player in New Orleans. The film creates the atmosphere also of post-Katrina New Orleans.

Steve Gleason is diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis – a terminal disease which takes over the sufferer’s body. He decided to make a video record of his illness to be able to hand onto his children. He is supported strongly by his wife.

With the video material, the film is able to indicate the growing deterioration of Steve Gleason, the witness of his body, the difficulties in communication. It also features his ability to cope with this illness – along with so many moments of despair and seeming inability to cope. All the while his strongly supported by his wife and family.

He also takes up the cause of those suffering from ALS, fundraising for investigation, research and treatment, many social events which gain national support.

While Gleason has his moments of suffering and sadness, the overall impact of his health deterioration and personal journey are very positive – which lead to a film of substantial humanity rating serious questions about the meaning of life, suffering and how to deal with suffering.

1. An acclaimed documentary? American? The American ethos? Universal impact?

2. Locations, Washington State, Louisiana, New Orleans? The musical score?

3. Steve Gleason, his football reputation, the football sequences and their insertion, in Washington, his skills and play? In New Orleans, post-Katrina? His becoming hero, his presence in the Superdome? The statue of his action?

4. The portrait of an American man, the diagnosis of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis? Having to deal with his illness, his life as a husband, his wife’s pregnancy, the birth of Rivers? The director and five years of filming, very direct, background, interviews, Gleason in close-up? The editing choices of what to include and omit?

5. Steve, talking to camera, over the years, his reaction to the diagnosis, the prospects of years and ill health, his weakening, the debilitation, physical, mental, emotional, the spiritual challenge?

6. The disease, the memories of baseball player, Lou Gehrig? The doctor and the diagnoses, the discussions? The role of Michelle, a lively woman, the flashbacks to the wedding, her extroverted style? The continued support, close to her husband, sharing the treatments, caring for him, the medications and procedures, the months, going into years? Steve and his becoming weaker, the connection between the brain and his lack of mobility, yet his intelligence while his speech diminished? The swimming, being carried in the chair, his love for Rivers, playing with him? Losing his capacities, his interactions, the Superdome and celebrity, his loss of bowel control and having to be helped, the full-time nurse and associate, the other nurses? The touches of despair? Hope?

7. The interviews with his father, a hard man, his wife leaving? Religious, biblical, rather literal, issues of faith, Steve’s interviews with his father over the years, the father reassessing his life? The brief interview with his mother?

8. Michelle, exuberance and tough, faithful, caring for Rivers, the discovery of her capacity for art, the drawing, the possibility of an exhibition? Living with Steve’s moods, her own moods?

9. The foundation, motivation, his involvement, the board, the variety of occasions in meetings, functions? The public response? The ice bucket? The political consequences, the final legislation?

10. Pearl Jam, the singers and players, supportive of Steve? The interviews?

11. Issues of speech, the need for computer equipment? Costs? Campaigning for others to benefit?

12. Steve’s intentions for heritage Rivers, playing with him, being a dad, the blogs, and filming for his son?

13. The picture of illness and of the human spirit?