Sad they couldn't say testicular cancer--great cure rates are much higher
"Brian's Song" is an infamous film because it tore the hearts out of millions when it aired back in 1971. I saw it and remember being traumatized. Now I am watching it almost 50 years later and hopefully it won't leave me an emotional basket case!
The story is about the relationship between two rookies with the Chicago Bears, Brian Piccolo (James Caan) and Gale Sayers (Billy Dee Williams), and how they respond to Piccolo's cancer diagnosis. It's based on the book written by Sayers after his friend's death. The two became friends and the film really plays that up...and the fact that they were the league's first black-white roommates.
So is this any good? Yes. The acting and script are good but the film really excels in creating a mood through music and its direction. Far better than you'd expect for a made-for-TV movie. And, because it's so effective, it will rip your heart out....even all these years later.
By the way, it is sad that the network wouldn't allow the film to honestly address Piccolo's cancer. It turns out he had testicular cancer and they didn't want it mentioned, as 'testicular' might offend some viewers. Considering it's the most common cancer in guys 18-40, it's ridiculous to dance around it. I had testicular cancer myself at age 26 and I am glad of heightened awareness, otherwise I might not have gotten treatment in time...and my cancer had spread to my chest just like Piccolo's. And, by the way, cure rates from the late 1960s and now have improved dramatically. I am 30 years cancer-free and counting.
And, by the way, when Piccolo says "I think I'm pregnant", that's actually VERY ironic as the test used to detect testicular cancer is a pregnancy test....and if it's positive, you do have cancer.
"Brian's Song" is an infamous film because it tore the hearts out of millions when it aired back in 1971. I saw it and remember being traumatized. Now I am watching it almost 50 years later and hopefully it won't leave me an emotional basket case!
The story is about the relationship between two rookies with the Chicago Bears, Brian Piccolo (James Caan) and Gale Sayers (Billy Dee Williams), and how they respond to Piccolo's cancer diagnosis. It's based on the book written by Sayers after his friend's death. The two became friends and the film really plays that up...and the fact that they were the league's first black-white roommates.
So is this any good? Yes. The acting and script are good but the film really excels in creating a mood through music and its direction. Far better than you'd expect for a made-for-TV movie. And, because it's so effective, it will rip your heart out....even all these years later.
By the way, it is sad that the network wouldn't allow the film to honestly address Piccolo's cancer. It turns out he had testicular cancer and they didn't want it mentioned, as 'testicular' might offend some viewers. Considering it's the most common cancer in guys 18-40, it's ridiculous to dance around it. I had testicular cancer myself at age 26 and I am glad of heightened awareness, otherwise I might not have gotten treatment in time...and my cancer had spread to my chest just like Piccolo's. And, by the way, cure rates from the late 1960s and now have improved dramatically. I am 30 years cancer-free and counting.
And, by the way, when Piccolo says "I think I'm pregnant", that's actually VERY ironic as the test used to detect testicular cancer is a pregnancy test....and if it's positive, you do have cancer.