Although he only lived for 22 years on planet earth Freddie Joe Steinmark touched a whole lot of lives and still does today in the great state of Texas. He's their version of the Gipper for those University of Texas Longhorns.
The film is done in flashback with Freddie's Knute Rockne, UT's coach Darrell Royal played here by Aaron Eckhart. Freddie Joe Steinmark did not make All American, but in Royal's mind he's his once and forever My All American.
Finn Wittrock plays Freddie with a minimum of sentimentality who led that Texas team to its first national championship in a generation and then it's discovered he has one bad almost always terminal version of bone cancer. Both Wittrock and Eckhart are supported by an impeccably cast group of supporting players.
To this day in Texas the Longhorns win for Freddie the way Knute Rockne had them win one for George Gipp. The film is also a winner.
My All-American
2015
Action / Biography / Drama / Sport
My All-American
2015
Action / Biography / Drama / Sport
Plot summary
What Freddie Steinmark (Finn Wittrock) wants most in the world is to play football. Although he is deemed too small by the usual athletic standards, his father trains him hard. Freddie brings a fight to the game that ultimately gets him noticed--by none other than legendary University of Texas coach Darrell Royal (Aaron Eckhart). Awarded a scholarship and a chance to play for the Longhorns, Freddie sets off to Austin with his loving high school sweetheart, Linda (Sarah Bolger),determined to make the team. Alongside his old teammate Bobby Mitchell (Rett Terrell) and new pal James Street (Juston Street),Freddie is put through the paces of a grueling practice schedule. The boys' camaraderie off the field translates into solid playing on it, and they rise up the depth charts, giving the Longhorns a real chance to improve upon their mediocre record. But just when they're reveling in the success of the season, Freddie suffers an injury that leads to a shocking diagnosis and the biggest challenge he will ever face. From the writer of Hoosiers (1986) and Rudy (1993),MY ALL AMERICAN tells the true story of a boy who became a hero and what it truly means to have the heart of a champion.
Uploaded by: FREEMAN
Director
Top cast
Tech specs
720p.BLU 1080p.BLUMovie Reviews
Freddie Steinmark 1949-1971
where's the drama?
An elderly Coach Royal (Aaron Eckhart) is being interviewed about his playing days. He starts recounting one of his player named Freddie Steinmark (Finn Wittrock). Steinmark isn't an All-American player but he has an All-American heart. He is a hard-working, religious, and pious kid. He's the first to arrive and the last to leave. Linda Wheeler (Sarah Bolger) is his high school sweetheart. He plays for Royal's University of Texas Longhorns.
Nothing really dramatic happens in the first two thirds of the movie. There are some cute stuff like his puppy love with Sarah Bolger. Wittrock isn't that charismatic and the character is very square. It's a very straight biopic. The writer should realize the meat of the story is the eventual expected medical issue. Honestly, I don't know anything about the true story. Since nothing happens for most of the movie, I assumed that some big tragedy happens in the climax. That's what happens in most of these movies and in this one, it's not that climatic.
Even the twist is problematic. Essentially, Steinmark is too stubborn to go to a doctor. It's playing-thru-the-pain ethos on steroids. Even his refusing to use a wheelchair is problematic. He's willing to pop his stitches and ignore his doctor. There are ways to make this a compelling journey. It would make more emotional sense if people start pitying him. This could have been a great movie about the battle for his life. Instead, we're spending hours on the predictable football games.
"Just give the damn ball to Freddie!"
This story starts out a bit like 1993's "Rudy", in which an undersized high school football player dreams of playing college and pro ball, but is thwarted by his lack of height and brawn. Owing to his high school coach's friendship with University of Texas head coach Darrell Royal (Aaron Eckhart),Freddie Steinmark's (Finn Wittrock) determination and unyielding desire lands him a spot on the team along with a fellow classmate from Wheat Ridge High. Utilizing a new offensive configuration he calls the 'triple option' offense, Royal sets out to build a championship caliber team out of the remains of a devastating six and four won/loss season. What may be a bit different about this championship story is the fact that Steinmark is not an offensive player, he instead becomes an integral part of the Texas Longhorn's defense, noted for shutting down opposition teams as they climb the ranks of nationally ranked football programs. But there's also tragedy waiting to rear it's ugly head, as the talented Freddie grinds through the latter half of the 1969 season with a noticeable limp, eventually to be diagnosed as bone cancer in his left leg. With a national championship on the line, Freddie Steinmark inspires his teammates from the sidelines following an excruciating recovery from an amputation that ends his dream of a sports career. Fair warning, it's hard to keep a dry eye while following the events that cripple the young football player, as his inspirational story resonates with anyone who has to struggle to make the team.