Parents' Guide to

In Search of Greatness

By Tara McNamara, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 8+

Insightful sports docu connects passion, play to genius.

Movie PG-13 2018 80 minutes
In Search of Greatness Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

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age 8+

Based on 1 parent review

collegiate
collegiate Adult
October 26, 2018
age 8+

Experience Greatness in Theaters November 2nd.

This movie is incredibly inspiring and important for all parents, coaches, young athletes and artists. It highlights the importance of freedom, unstructured play and creativity as the foundations for greatness and positive mental health in sports, the classroom, and life.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

IN SEARCH OF GREATNESS explores the "nature" and "nurture" components that work together to create athletic genius. Featuring interviews with hockey hall-of-famer Wayne Gretzky, football champ Jerry Rice, soccer icon Pele, education expert Sir Ken Robinson, and sports author David Epstein -- as well as the stories of other sports and creative legends -- the documentary outlines the commonalities of the masters who changed their sport with passion, dedication, and innovation.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (1):
Kids say (1):

This documentary is a riveting, perceptive look at how a champion goes beyond good to become great. Coaches, sports fans, and hopeful athletes will definitely lean in, but since the theories discussed here apply to achieving excellence in all areas, it's just as captivating to non-sports enthusiasts. But the audience that this film may appeal to the most is parents: What mom or dad hasn't seen a spark in their child and wondered whether he or she has what it takes to be the next Michael Jordan, John Lennon, or Meryl Streep -- and then wondered what to do to encourage it. By highlighting stories about the best of the best, along with scientific and analytical research, the film provides answers that are immensely insightful and satisfying.

Stylistically, In Search of Greatness is simple and straightforward, almost like a thesis paper. It begins by dismissing the current "combine method" of athletic evaluation through statistics: speed, strength, mobility, etc. Then it launches into its core theory: Genius is a byproduct of many things but includes an element that's quickly disappearing: unstructured play. While this assertion might seem like common sense -- free time lets you explore, create, and ultimately innovate solutions that can lead to a winning advantage -- it comes off as revelatory. From there, the film moves through bullet-point assertions, proving each notion (e.g., don't force your kids to practice if they don't have passion for something) by pointing to examples and experts who back it up. The film does have a void: It ignores the sports in which athletically inclined genetics and hard work really can overcome all, such as swimming and track. But this film is really for those who want to know how the greats overcame the odds to dominate, and those questions are answered.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how the athletes featured in or interviewed for In Search of Greatness persevered to achieve champion status. What obstacles or adversity did they have to overcome? How did they turn their difficulties into a winning advantage?

  • What do you think the movie's message is? What will you take away? Did anything surprise you?

  • What do you think the meaning of this statement is: "If you are doing it for a result in the future, you are not doing it." What role does passion play in success -- both athletic and otherwise?

  • Why are Gretzky, Rice, and Pele considered great role models?

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