The Greatest – An E1 Films’ Release

http://thegreatestthemovie.com/

DVD Release Date: July 13th, 2010

Rated 14A for coarse language, and sexual content

Running time: 1oo minutes

Shana Feste (dir.)

Shana Feste (writer)

Christophe Beck (music)

Carey Mulligan as Rose

Aaron Johnson as Bennett Brewer

Pierce Brosnan as Allen Brewer

Susan Sarandon as Grace Brewer

Johnny Simmons as Ryan Brewer

Michael Shannon as Jordan Walker

Our reviews below:

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The Greatest DVD Review By John C.

*** (out of 4)

When Bennett Brewer (Aaron Johnson) is killed in a car crash, his girlfriend, Rose (Carey Mulligan), is left pregnant with his child.  Three months after the accident, she finds herself on the Brewer’s doorstep.  Accepted by the father, Allen (Pierce Brosnan), but rejected by the mother, Grace (Susan Sarandon), Rose finds a place for herself at their house, along with Bennett’s younger brother, Ryan (Johnny Simmons).

What makes this work better than the majority of melodramas, is that it begins with a tragedy and works its way up to a natural conclusion.  If this had ended with the tragedy that started it, than this would have been an annoying exploitation of tragedies.  But The Greatest treats its subjects respectfully, naturally, and believably, with touches of poignancy at all the right moments.  But the biggest reason why this works so much better than most melodramas, is because it rarely relies on shouting matches.  The best, most touching scenes, are the quiet interactions between characters.

It is a bit uneven, especially with a miscalculated over 2 minute driving scene at the beginning that elicits nervous laughter, but this movie works because of the strong performances, especially from the younger members of the cast.  Mulligan, one of my favourite young actresses, is uniformly good, as are Johnny Simmons, Aaron Johnson, and Michael Shannon.  Shannon’s only spoken part is in a singular stand-out scene, that once again proves him as a great actor.

The DVD includes interviews with director Shana Feste, and actors Pierce Brosnan, Carey Mulligan, and Johnny Simmons, as well as deleted scenes and the film’s trailer.

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The Greatest DVD Review By Erin V.

***1/4 (out of 4)

The Greatest is about a family pushed to the limits by the death of their son, Bennett (Aaron Johnson), in a car crash.  Shortly after, when a young woman named Rose (Carey Mulligan), shows up on their doorstep announcing that she is 3 months pregnant with his child, the family doesn’t know how to deal with it.  Rose has nowhere else to stay, so she is taken in, which Bennett’s father (Pierce Brosnan) feels is the right thing to do.  Bennett’s mother (Susan Sarandon) expresses her grief through anger, and resents the fact that Rose survived the crash while Bennett didn’t.  Through all this, their other son is feeling rejected while trying to deal with the loss in his own way.  What initially seems to be the breaking point – Rose’s pregnancy – may just be the thing that will bring the family back together.

While The Greatest is a film that, (due to it’s subject matter) is very dramatic, it never falls into the realm of being needlessly melodramatic.  It is a true portrayal of love, loss, and life.  Thanks in part to the writing as well as the wonderful acting, the characters are all believable.

I would recommend checking this one out now that it’s coming to DVD.  Other than a few bumps here and there, in terms of filmmaking and performance, as well as story, this is well-done.

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The Greatest DVD Review By Nicole

*** (out of 4)

The Greatest is an interesting family drama about sudden loss, grief and hope.  When 18-year-old Bennet (Aaron Johnson) dies in a tragic car accident, his parents, and Brother Ryan (Johnny Simmons) grieve in their own ways.  Things become more complicated when Bennet’s girlfriend Rose (Carey Mulligan) moves in with the grieving family while her mother is in rehab.  It has been three months since Bennet’s death, and Rose finds herself pregnant with Bennet’s only child.  Rose’s Pregnancy, while initially stirring things up further, eventually gives the family hope.

While a little slow-moving, the movie is never boring.  What could have been a dreary melodrama is instead a believable movie with likable and sympathetic characters.  The youngest leads are particularly good in this film.

The DVD has decent bonus features, including deleted scenes and interviews with the director and cast.  The Greatest is a decent movie that is worth seeing.

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The Greatest DVD Review By Maureen

*** (out of 4)

The Greatest is a touching, low-key drama about young love, letting go, and new beginnings.  Carey Mulligan stars as Rose, a young woman who experiences her first love with a shy young man named Bennet (Aaron Johnson).  Tragedy strikes and Rose finds herself pregnant and alone.  She turns to Bennet’s grieving family, Dad, Allen (Pierce Brosnan), Mom, Grace (Susan Sarandon) and brother, Ryan (Johnny Simmons) for the shelter and support.  The family is torn and struggling to come to terms with their loss and Rose’s pregnancy.  With their lives changed forever they each in their own way learn to live and love again.

This is one of those stories that could have descended into nauseating melodrama.  Instead the superb performances by each of the principal actors, particularly Carey Mulligan, keep The Greatest touchingly believable and very watchable.  If you are looking for a movie that will tug at your heartstrings and has excellent acting The Greatest is a good choice.

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The Greatest DVD Review By Tony

*** (out of 4)

The Greatest begins with a tender lovemaking scene between Bennett Brewer (Aaron Johnson) and Rose (Carey Mulligan). On the way home afterward Bennett’s car is hit by a truck. The next scene shows Bennett’s funeral followed by a shot of his parents Allen & Grace (Pierce Brosnan & Susan Sarandon) and younger brother Ryan (Johnny Simmons) sitting in silence in the back of a car for what seems a very long time.  Three months later Rose shows up pregnant with Bennet’s child at the Brewer’s doorstep and they take her in.  The film deals with the way everyone handles grief in their own ways as Rose prepares for the birth of her child.  Allen at first tries to be cool and avoid talking about Bennett, but he can’t sleep and his work as a math professor is suffering.  Grace is obsessed with finding out all she can about Bennett’s last moments, hanging out at the hospital for weeks until the truck driver (Michael Shannon in a brief but brilliant performance) comes out of his coma.  Ryan is self-medicating and attends a counselling group of grieving adolescent siblings.  Rose wants to find out as much as she can about Bennett, who is seen in flashbacks.  The film ends on a hopeful note.

The first feature by Shana Feste, The Greatest is slow and brooding at times, but full of insight into the various levels and forms of grief, handled by a fine cast.

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Consensus: Featuring good performances by a talented cast, The Greatest treats its subjects respectfully, making it work better than some other recent dramas. *** (Out of 4)