Big Smooth

Big Smooth is a great tribute to Neil and was such a heartwarming watch. It's a documentary that shows you can live your dreams and be successful yet above all else, family and kindness is the most important aspect of life.

Watching this showed more insight into Neil's amazing life and showed what an amazing person he was! It was lovely to listen to so many people who knew him and had stories to tell and it was emotional for everyone in the theatre to see. The producers etc have obviously spent a great deal of time researching and gathering by information for this film and their hard work has paid off.

A great production!

Great film which reminds us that it's not about the size of your physical being, your wallet or your renown but the size of your heart and the way you impact positively on the lives of those you meet that means the most.

Brings to light a local (Durham, UK) man who had a global impact and touched the lives of everyone he met; followed his dreams and could pivot when needed to whether that be to score hoops, a movie or to make someone smile.

Watched the premiere with my family and my son said that Neil teaches us to believe in ourselves and that has to be a great take away for a 10 year old x.

I was lucky enough to attend the premiere of this excellent documentary about Neil Fingleton, who found success in America playing basketball and later moved into acting. This was a touching story about someone who turned something that could have been a burden (his record height) into an asset and was the jumping off point for his success.

The film is a good mixture of talking heads of Neil's family and those who knew him through his two fascinating careers and also archive footage of his basketball games. It is both funny and moving and provides a view of someone who was once the tallest man in Britain but was also so much more than that.

Being best friends with Neil from a young age I expected to be biased or even critical of the documentary, but I had no reason to be any of these. Being either involved or part of Neil's life growing up and spending time together as mates whenever possible (between Neil's travels and work) I was apprehensive of how the film would portray Neil and the life he had. On watching the Premier I was blown away by the sett out and content that Paul Stainthorpe and the team have used and produced a great, true, funny and emotional documentary.

Before the film started Paul Stainthorpe introduced everyone and stated "if you feel like laughing, then laugh - If you feel like whooping, then whoop and if you feel like crying, then cry". What he should of stated is "when you laugh - when you whoop and when you cry" because this is guaranteed when watching this true, funny and emotional film.

Brilliant work and a must watch.

I went to the premier of Big Smooth last night and didn't know what to expect. I found out about a man who went to my school in Durham, and played basketball with my husband in the 90's. I was amazed with the life Neil led and the person he clearly was. The way he touched people and made a difference to their lives is a real legacy and it's wonderful someone has memorialized him so well. It was amazing how much research, groundwork, and detail went into this piece of work. The interviews were awesome and the content had my attention and interest transfixed. Paul and Richard have created an impressive, professional and touching documentary film. I'm really pleased I went to watch it and would highly recommend.