When MovieRob announced ‘Sports Themed Films’ as April’s Genre Grandeur theme, my mind immediately went to Brian’s Song (1971). Initially, I thought of revisiting my DVR recording, but to my surprise, it had vanished – a recurring DVR mystery! Undeterred, my quest for Brian’s Song led me to a library DVD, perfect timing for this review.
In the realm of made-for-TV movies, Brian’s Song stands out as a critically acclaimed and enduring classic. But does it truly deserve the accolades? Will I join the chorus of praise, or offer a different perspective? Keep reading to find out if Brian’s Song scores a touchdown in this review!
Spoiler Alert: This review contains some spoilers.
DVD copy of Brian's Song
Pictured above is the DVD of Brian’s Song used for this review. Screenshot by Sally Silverscreen.
What Shines in Brian’s Song
Exceptional Performances: The strength of Brian’s Song lies in its cast, particularly James Caan and Billy Dee Williams, who portray the central friendship between Brian Piccolo and Gale Sayers. For many, Billy Dee Williams is synonymous with the charismatic Lando Calrissian from Star Wars. However, his portrayal of Gale Sayers is a study in contrasts – reserved yet deeply emotional. In their initial meeting, Williams masterfully conveys Gale’s unease and quiet observation of Brian’s boisterous personality through subtle body language and carefully chosen words.
Conversely, James Caan embodies Brian Piccolo’s outgoing and confident nature. From confidently approaching Gale to belting out his college fight song at the team dinner, Caan’s performance is a departure from his typically rugged Western roles. This contrast in personalities, expertly portrayed by Caan and Williams, is immediately captivating.
A particularly powerful scene highlights this dynamic when Brian constructs exercise equipment for an injured Gale. Initially bitter and resentful due to his injury, Gale confronts Brian. Brian’s response reveals his humility and understanding of their competitive dynamic. He recounts his own experiences with being demoted in football, acknowledging Gale’s superior talent. Brian explains his desire to help Gale recover, stating his current top position felt undeserved. This scene is a masterclass in acting, allowing the audience to empathize with both characters. Williams showcases Gale’s vulnerability and growing confidence, while Caan portrays Brian’s gentle humility and underlying insecurities. The contrasting acting styles beautifully complement the nuances of their evolving friendship.
Realistic Football Game Footage: Brian’s Song incorporates authentic-feeling football game footage whenever the Chicago Bears are featured. Whether sourced from actual games or filmed specifically for the movie, this inclusion adds a layer of realism to the narrative. One scene, depicting Gale and Brian conversing on the sidelines, is filmed with a grainy, broadcast-like aesthetic, seamlessly integrating with the game footage. This approach to incorporating football action is refreshing, diverging from typical sports movies that often build to a climactic game.
Insightful Voice-Overs: Overlaid on the game footage are voice-overs of Brian and Gale engaging in various conversations. These voice-overs, reminiscent of sports commentary but focused on personal topics rather than the game itself, offer intimate glimpses into their friendship. Through their humor and perspectives revealed in these voice-overs, the audience gains a deeper understanding of Brian and Gale’s bond.
Football Essentials
Image of football equipment. American football vector created by bamdewanto – www.freepik.com
Areas Where Brian’s Song Falls Short
Superficial Treatment of Racism: Set against the backdrop of 1965, during the Civil Rights Movement, Brian’s Song touches upon the racial dynamics of the era. Gale Sayers is informed by the Chicago Bears’ coach that he and Brian will be the first interracial roommates in professional football history. The team staff prepares Gale for potential racism, but the film primarily “tells” rather than “shows” this reality. Beyond the initial briefing and a voice-over of Brian reading a hateful letter, the overt presence of racism is minimal. Given the historical context and the film’s setting, this glossing over feels like a missed opportunity to explore a crucial aspect of the time period more deeply.
Confusing Football Training Process: The film opens with the Chicago Bears’ training camp, but the depiction of the process is somewhat unclear. The setting on a college campus, discussions of team cuts, and the timing relative to a draft are not explicitly explained. While some viewers may possess pre-existing knowledge of professional football training at the time, the script assumes a level of familiarity that could leave others, particularly those unfamiliar with the era’s football specifics, feeling lost. More explicit dialogue explaining these aspects would have enhanced clarity.
Underdeveloped Grief of the Team: Brian’s Song poignantly portrays Brian’s cancer diagnosis and subsequent death. Gale delivers an emotional locker room speech, dedicating the upcoming game to Brian. The film visually conveys the team’s sadness and heartbreak upon hearing the news. However, the film concludes shortly after Brian’s passing is announced via voice-over. While acknowledging the constraints of a TV movie format, the absence of a scene or epilogue depicting the team’s collective grief and response to Brian’s death feels like an omission. Details such as jersey retirement or posthumous honors, while perhaps outside the scope of the film’s central narrative, could have provided a more complete sense of closure and honored the team’s bond with Brian.
Heartbeat graphic. Heartbeat image created by Freepik at freepik.com
Final Verdict on Brian’s Song
Before Lando and Westerns, there was Brian’s Song. Over five decades later, this made-for-TV movie remains a beloved and respected classic. Brian’s Song is undeniably a well-intentioned and competently made film. However, personally, it didn’t evoke the profound emotional response I anticipated. Having prior knowledge of Brian and Gale’s story likely lessened the emotional impact of the film’s more dramatic moments.
Nevertheless, the film’s heart is evident. The cast delivers sincere performances, and creative choices like game footage and voice-overs add depth. Brian’s Song‘s accessibility, evidenced by my library DVD find, is also noteworthy, especially considering the obscurity of some made-for-TV movies.
Overall Score: 7.1 out of 10
Have you seen Brian’s Song? What other made-for-TV movies do you consider classics? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Lights, camera, enjoy the movies!
Sally Silverscreen
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