DVD Reviews

The Greatest - DVD Review

By June L. Jul 21, 2010, 16:51 GMT

Three months after Allen and Grace Brewer’s son died in a car accident, Rose shows up on their doorstep, pregnant with his child. At first her arrival divides their already troubled marriage, but as they accept their grief, Rose and her baby may just bring them back together. ...more

The Greatest, a film that was first shown at Sundance in 2009, is a story about grief and growth.  In the first few minutes audiences see intense love and then the tragic death of Bennett Brewer (Aaron Johnson) and for the remainder of the film the effects of his life and death are the focus of the story as his family and girlfriend come to terms with loss.

Presented in vignette like scenes, this movie is an excellent representation of the stages of grief and mourning.  As in real life, not everyone in this story is at the same place in the process at the same time.  We see first the universal numbness as the family begins the journey to healing, and then they branch out into their individual methods of coping. 

Pierce Brosnan is the father Allen whose rigid adherence to controlled action puts a lid on any emotions, as he tries to keep everything even.  Susan Sarandon is the mother Grace who moves from mournful crying to frenzied attempts to find answers to impossible questions mostly concerning the last minutes of Bennett’s life.  Johnny Simmons is the younger son Ryan, whose less than stellar character is further damaged by his survivor’s guilt. 

Older viewers will be reminded of an earlier film “Ordinary People” when watching the family’s dealings with each other.  The break down in connections and the inability to console each other is sad and frightening, as they all are in a very dark place.  However, once Rose enters the scene the dynamics begin to change.

Rose (Carey Mulligan) is Bennett’s girlfriend who shows up on the Brewer’s doorstep, pregnant with Bennett’s child.  Allen convinces Grace to give the girl a home, but Grace begrudges her being alive.  Rose who is equally bereft by Bennett’s death as his family, has moved forward enough to be able to bring a lighter spirit into the group. 

In a short while Rose is chipping away at the emotional barriers of all the Brewers with her humor and honesty.  Interspersed with her tender memories of Barrett, Rose sees the lives of the Brewers and how they are struggling, often against each other rather than dealing with the grief they feel. 

When each one reaches a critical point, it is because of Rose they are able to fight through.

The Greatest DVD is presented on single disc with a running time of 100 minutes.  Special features for the DVD include interviews with director Shana Feste, actors Pierce Brosnan, Carey Mulligan and Johnny Simmons.  There is also a selection of deleted scenes and a trailer for the film.  

First time writer/director Shana Feste has given viewers a strong film full of truths and tears, but mostly about learning to live and love after great loss.  The cast obviously believed very strongly in the film and gave amazing performances, not simply dramatic representations. 

The sense of helplessness when dealing with grief and the feeling of making one step forward only to be thrown back two steps is very real.

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