User Reviews

Greetings again from the darkness. I'm a University of Texas alumnus and have vivid childhood memories of Freddie Steinmark the player, followed by Freddie Steinmark the tragedy, and finally Freddie Steinmark the inspiration. His legacy remains an active part of the Longhorns football program today via the stadium scoreboard dedication and the locker room tribute that is part of every game day in Austin. This is the directorial debut of Angelo Pizzo, who is known for writing two other inspirational sports movies: Hoosiers and Rudy.

It's difficult not to cringe when the film opens in 2010 with a reporter interviewing legendary and elderly former coach Darrell Royal, who is dementia-stricken and forgetful … until he starts speaking of Freddie. The cringe-inducing part isn't Coach Royal's dementia (of which we fans were all aware), but rather the amateurish make-up applied to Aaron Eckhart in an attempt to age him into the 85 year old icon. Fortunately this segment is brief, and we are soon enough picking up a high school aged Freddie as he practices and works out ferociously with his dad in hopes of fulfilling his dream of playing football at Notre Dame.

Finn Wittrock ("American Horror Story") plays Freddie, and captures the intensity, ambition and goodness of the young man who would galvanize the Longhorns program and end up making quite an impression on those Notre Dame coaches, but for much more than his play on the field. Burned into my memory (and that of anyone who witnessed it) is the shot of Freddie on crutches at the 1970 Cotton Bowl.

Director Pizzo offers some breath-taking aerial shots of Austin and Memorial Stadium (digitally altered to reflect the late 1960's), and some impressive sequences of football practices and games. Football fans will have fun spotting former players making appearances including Case McCoy (as Razorback Bill Montgomery), Hays McEachern, Danny Lester, and Luke Poehlmann. You will also note Juston Street plays his father James (mimicking the game face), and Jordan Shipley plays my all-time favorite Longhorn receiver, Cotton Speyrer. Nostalgia flows as the game announcers call some of the greatest college players of the era: Ted Koy, Steve Worster, Jim Bertelsen, Steve Owens, and Chuck Dicus.

"The Game of the Century" is the centerpiece game of the movie, and we actually get a clip of President Richard Nixon arriving to the Texas-Arkansas game of 1969. It turned out to be Freddie's final football game, but more aptly, a continuation of his influence. However, this is just as much the story of Freddie the individual as it is Freddie the football player. His determination, zest for life and incredible courage are the message here … not tackles and interceptions. Even his relationship with his high school and college sweetheart Linda (Sarah Bolger) seems the stuff of which dreams are made.

In addition to this film, there have been three books written about Steinmark: in 1971 Freddie worked with Blackie Sherrod on an autobiography called "I Play to Win"; in 2011, Jim Dent wrote "Courage Beyond the Game"; and just this year, the University of Texas published a new biography entitled "Freddie Steinmark: Faith, Family, Football" by Bower Yousse (a former friend and teammate). It should also be noted that Steinmark's battle against cancer inspired Congress to pass the National Cancer Act of 1971, beginning the war on cancer and spurring a jump in cancer research that continues to this day.

It's a football movie, but also a tearjerker. It's a profile of an over-achiever, but also the story of a young man who inspired a team, a university and a nation. Every time you think the story is a bit corny, or that Freddie is too good to be true, just remind yourself that despite the cynicism permeating society today, Freddie Steinmark was flesh and blood, with a heart and soul and mentality that refused to surrender.

The Freddie Steinmark Story adapted into a movie. Freddie seems like a underdog as his body does not measure up to his heart, but Freddie proves that sometimes heart is all you need, and when the world tossed him a bad pass, he still stood up tall. It is the type of movie that makes you wish you had someone like Freddie Steinmark on your team. It was beautifully done.

Aaron Eckhart was great as the head coach leading his team to victory, but the actor they got to play Freddie was perfect in capturing what an amazing guy he was. The whole movie just inspires you like a good sports movie should. It's like Rudy for a new generation.

And the football was great too. I seen the gridiron thing done in many movies. Nothing out of the ordinary is going on here, but the sound effects accompanying the visuals definitely makes you feel the hit from every play.

A fair warning, this is the type of movie that makes grown men get all misty eyed. My All American is about the type of heroes America loves, who against all odds, raised to the occasion to produced victory, and made so much of himself in so little time that people are still talking about it.

"We would not have been national champions if you had not been on that field." Freddie Steinmark (Wittrock) is a tremendous football player, but was always told he was too small to play for a major college. When Texas coach Darrell Royal (Eckhart) recruits him, Freddie works harder than anyone on the team and finally earns a starting job. In the midst of a run at the National Championship season Freddie's knee begins to bother him. When he sees the doctor his life, and the legacy of Texas football is changed forever. I am a huge fan of sports movies, especially ones that are true. This one took awhile for me to get invested in, but when I did I really got into it. This is not one of the best sports movies I have ever seen, but it is very much worth seeing and I do highly recommend it. The movie has great sports scenes as well as a very emotional arc that can only be true, this isn't something you can make up. Sports movie fans will really like this, and this is actually a decent family movie. It is rated PG, but some of the subject matter may need to be explained. Overall, a very good movie that I recommend. Not one of the best sports movies ever made, but a very good addition to the genre. I give this a high B.

I was worried about this film being worth a darn. My father is depicted by Aaron Eckhart. Well, it turned out much better than I ever could have asked for. I've seen people try to make a movie out of this story for decades, so I was surprised that it got finished... and released!

Well, you may not cry out loud, guys. But I guarantee you will get chills and a lump in your throat.

Sure, it's got a lot of football, but GIRLS, you will love this character played by Finn Wittrock. Then you will cry.

You are at the cinema-plex. You aren't sure what to see.... PICK THIS ONE.

Decent football movie based on a true story.

Actors did a decent job, though I can't specifically say anyone was a standout.

Script was, if not overly original, at least well written and produced believable characters. Characters were a bit 2D, but considering most are based on real people with real families, making up extra drama for the story is contraindicated.

Directing, cinematography, CGI all decent.

Good take on the story. Overall, decent way to spend a couple hours.

As an Australian who knows absolutely nothing about American football (rugby union, rugby league and Australian football are our three types of football) this was a wonderful tearjerker of a movie. Beautifully paced and very well acted. I've never seen Eckhardt give such a well-rounded performance. This could have been just another soppy, cliched sports movie but instead it's an inspiring movie with a lot of heart. If you're not American, don't be put off. I strongly recommend it.

Was fortunate enough to be at the Austin premier to listen to those who played with Freddie Steinmark, all saying the movie was spot on. Acting was phenomenal.

The true story of a beloved, yet small, football player who gave everything he did 150%, even til the end. Not only did he inspire everyone around him, but continues to do so 40 years after his death. You don't have to be a football fan to appreciate this story of where determination and hard work can take you. As a UT grad who has gone to countless UT football games and seen Freddie be honored at every single one of them, I am so glad I got to finally hear his story. Now I understand why his legacy is still so profound. GO SEE.

Next to the zombie genre, sports dramas are usually pretty unoriginal. They have nowhere to grow and they at times follows the same formula piece by piece. With it being America game, you see so many of these football films and really only a handful work. My All American is more of the same.

Freddie Steinmark (Finn Wittrock) is a high school football star who eventually goes on to play college football at Texas University. This is a story of Freddie's efforts and setbacks while at Texas that changes his life forever.

As someone who walked into the theater knowing nothing about this story, the plot is based off a real story of Freddie Steinmark's life. Frankly, I don't think this movie will have an audience outside of Texas. Freddie is sure a likable character even if he is single-minded about football but more times then not I asked the question "why". Why should we care so much about this guy? Why so much into his life story? He sure has a lovely girlfriend in character Linda Wheeler (Sarah Bolger) but there's no room for her to grow. Even a big name like Aaron Eckhart playing Texas coach Darrell Royal doesn't work because there is nothing is to the character and nowhere to go with it. Don't get wrong, it's a nice story but a 30 for 30 feature makes more sense for the story.

My All American evens get more cliché really once you get into the depth of the football aspect. We see football scenes that have been done so many times before. So many of the game highlights just drag. The ending really wants to really grip you even though it doesn't come close and is so cheesy. If one of the purposes of the story was to get me interested in Texas Longhorns football, then it was very far off.

This movie is easily watchable but it feels so much like a one-time watch. Really what's the point of it if you already know the story the most dramatic happening in the plot is in the third act; a third act that drags badly. My All American is one of the many sports stories we can just skip.

I was in Fort Smith, Arkansas when President Nixon flew up to Fayetteville for the game. I was one of the Boy Scouts who held the rope for him on his way to Marine One.

The is based upon a true story

University of Texas Coach Darrell Royal (Aaron Eckhart) tells the story of one of the best football players he ever had: Freddie Steinmark (Finn Wittrock). A reporter asks Coach Royal of all the All Americans he coached which one had the greatest impact on him. Coach Royal replies, " Freddie. Freddie Steinmark." The reporter states that Freddie Steinmark was never an All American. To which Coach Royal replies, "No, but he was MY ALL American."

The first 3-quarters of this movie will remind you when you were in High School or early years of college as we follow Freddie Steinmark in his football days. It is delightful, funny, faith-based and honest. When Freddie meets Linda (Sarah Bolger) - the love of his life - in HS, we are off to the races.

We see that Freddie Steinmark is truly an exceptional football player, who played Safety later on for Coach Royal. This movie shows us more football practices than we see from other football movies, and those action scenes are somewhat brutal too. (it's only a movie, Bob) When we see the actual games the hitting doesn't let up and we think about checking into the ER just to be safe. (still a movie)

Aaron Eckhart probably plays the best role of his life as Coach Royal. Kudos. Newcomer Finn Wittrock as Freddie is a breath of fresh air and you wished you knew Freddie and further you wished everyone else was like him. He is the perfect friend as well as a better than exceptional football player.

The last quarter of this movie is sad - extremely so - and you may need that Kleenex box. Everything caught me by surprise as I had never heard of Freddie Steinmark. Football movies come and go and we rarely or barely remember what they were about (except maybe for WE ARE MARSHALL) but this movie is much different as I don't think I will ever forget Freddie Steinmark or Coach Royal, who saw things in Freddie no one else saw. I am glad this movie was made so we know what an exceptional Human Being Freddie Steinmark was.

Go to Wikipedia to learn more about Freddie Steinmark and Coach Darrell Royal. (9/10)

Violence: Yes. Sex: No. Nudity: No. Language: No.

This is absolutely a wonderful movie and is suitable for the entire family. "My All American" will inspire and encourage you to be the very best you can be at whatever you do. It will bring a smile to your face and at times a tear to your eye. "My All American" has a phenomenal cast and they bring the reality needed to portray the characters in this true life story. "My All American" will have you cheering the highest highs and shedding a few tears at the lowest lows. This is a wonderful movie to share with your sports-loving family and friends and definitely a great choice for movie night at home.

'My All American (Courage)' brings nothing more to the table than an article you can read online. The screenplay constantly stays safe and the writing never takes a chance to create more depth to portray Freddie Steinmark in a realistic way. This is a glossed over family film, with the strong hint of bland Christian morals. There is no room for character building and change, as everyone remains flat and stale.

Any attempt of trying to add a backstory away from his football career is quickly drowned out by, well, more football. Every conversation, whether its with his family, girlfriend, or friends, is quickly shifted to football, which portrays Freddie as a robot bowing down to the game; nothing more is on his mind. His early life struggles are quickly resolved and move on to the next football task; nothing more.

Sure, we can understand that he loved football, but Angelo Pizzo does not show the effort in film-making as the real Freddie Steinmark showed for the game. Pizzo's script and direction can be equally fulfilled by reading only a single article, or skimming the SparkNotes from 'Courage Beyond the Game: The Freddie Steinmark Story' written by, Jim Dent. What we are watching in this film is the first adaptation of a screenplay, as Pizzo forgot that screen writing takes a few more drafts.

I thoroughly enjoyed this inspirational and uplifting film. Altho I don't quite understand the game of football and abhor the violence of some of the plays, I still enjoyed this film. The acting was superb in almost all of the actors. The cinematography was very good. I didn't realize it was a true story till the end but feel real good to have gotten to know the main characters. It is a wonderful example of the true team spirit that can be found if we try and the keep on trying attitude of those who succeed in life. I highly recommend this film for all young men and women, especially high-schoolers. Altho I consider it a faith-based film, it was not preachy or overbearing in its message.

This may have smacked of the Ozzie and Harriet days but, what's wrong with that? About time for a return to decency! Sure, we all know that all kinds of language is used in a football camp, and we certainly know what sex scenes are all about since we are inundated with them in almost every film. What a nice break from filth this was! It proves that you can tell a story without going into the gutter. I'm surprised that it was even able to be made! Using language and sex would not in any way have enhanced this story, but it would have kept young viewers away. And during the last half hour you could have heard a pin drop as everyone in the audience was riveted. I will go out of my way to see and recommend other Angelo Pizzo films.

My All American is a quick paced movie with a story that doesn't quite connect. I want to like it, but it doesn't let me.

Acting was nothing great. Very average across the cast. The story was decent, though it didn't feel genuine enough. The biggest problem for me was that I never could connect with the characters very well. Freddy was not relatable, he seemingly had no flaws most of the movie besides his stubbornness. He was not fleshed out in the slightest. He also seemed to be unstoppable the entire movie. Even when he deals with the conflict he seems hardly fazed... Maybe that was the point of his character, but I couldn't enjoy it.

The music was overwhelming. It was constant across the film, and it basically all sounded the same too. Nothing memorable, it started to annoy me after a while. It felt like it was desperately trying to add emotion to the film that the film itself couldn't do.

This may be nitpicky, but a lot of the character interactions were straight up weird. This one character goes crazy licking his lips. I was constantly laughing because I was feeling emotional, sexual tension between the male characters with so many of their interactions. I don't think the director was going for this, but that's how it was coming off to me.

Overall the movie wasn't terrible, but it was pretty disappointing. I'd give it a 5/10.

This movie was made in 2015 and I cannot believe I didn't hear about it or see it until 2024! I'm shocked that there are only 7k ratings on it. People have no idea how great of a movie they are missing. It is certainly the best football movie I've ever seen. It is a very sad touching story! My wife and I both teared up several times throughout the story and had never ever known anything about this football story prior to today. I will certainly recommend it to people I know as it definitely deserves much more notoriety. The credits were a nice touch as they showed footage and pictures of the real team from the Cotton Bowl on January 1st 1969. They certainly did a terrific job picking the cast for this movie. I'd have given it a 100 out of 100 honestly.

This makes me cry actually if i want to be like any one i would want to be like him to got his determination In the end iam glad that i had watched this movie to know about such great human May he R.I.P