Review: The Greatest (2010)

[Steve Rhodes]

THE GREATEST
A film review by Steve Rhodes
Copyright 2010 Steve Rhodes

RATING (0 TO ****):  ***

So have you ever walked out of a movie?  And, even if you have never left a 
film in progress -- or won't admit that you did -- haven't you at least 
often been tempted not to see it all?

THE GREATEST, by writer and director Shana Feste, is one of those movies for 
me.  While I stayed and saw every minute of it, I was sorely tempted several 
times to beat a hasty exit, but not for the usual reason.  THE GREATEST, 
while never living up to its title, is quite a good film and is extremely 
well acted by many well known stars.

The problem for me in this movie, which I do think is worth seeing and worth 
recommending, is that its emotional assaults were so powerful that I found 
myself almost unable to endure them.  It kept feeling to me that the movie 
was ripping my heart out of my chest and stomping on it.  And this wasn't 
because there was any shameless overacting going on.  It was because the 
emotions were so strong and all-pervasive that I found myself as overcome 
with horrendous grief as did the characters in the movie.

The acting, while all honest and genuine, was almost more than I could bear. 
Perhaps it came partly from seeing an ex-007 (Pierce Brosnan) weep 
uncontrollably on several occasions, but more likely it was Susan Sarandon's 
portrait of a woman trapped in a grief-ridden black hole that really got to 
me.  THE GREATEST is one of those tales that leaves you with the troubling 
realization that there, but for the grace of God, go I.

You are probably noticing that I haven't given even the outlines of the 
story yet, which is because this is one of the films in which discussing the 
plot is almost impossible unless key spoilers are given away.  I refuse to 
do this even a little bit.  I went into it knowing nothing and so should 
you.  To reveal any of it is to diminish it.

Let me just close by saying that Brosnan and Sarandon play Allen and Grace 
Brewer.  The other fine members of the main cast are: Johnny Simmons and 
Aaron Johnson, who play the Brewer's teenage children Ryan and Bennett. 
Carey Mulligan (Oscar nominee for AN EDUCATION) plays Bennett's girlfriend 
Rose (Carey Mulligan) and Zoe Kravitz play's Ryan's girlfriend Ashley.

THE GREATEST runs 1:39.  The film is rated R for "language, some sexual 
content and drug use" and would be acceptable for teenagers.

The film is being shown as part of San Jose's Cinequest Film Festival 
(www.Cinequest.org), which runs February 23 through March 7, 2010.

Web: http://www.InternetReviews.com
Email: Steve.Rhodes at InternetReviews.com

***********************************************************************

Want reviews of new films via Email?
Just write Steve.Rhodes at InternetReviews.com and put "subscribe" in the 
subject line.