'My All American' Film Honors Legendary Freddie Steinmark and His Faith
Eckhart personally took the role because he wanted to do a movie that the whole family could go see. "It's a real story. It's not cartoons, its not superheroes, it's about people, and it's about the human heart. That's important to go see." He continues, "It's important for me to be involved in it for my growth and my evolution as a human being."
Throughout "My All American" it is clear that Steinmark had a peculiar approach to life and it was contagious to those around him. Eckhart pointed out that Freddie was indeed different then the other players. "He stood strong in his beliefs and that's a good message right there, that's a good example for kids today. I think if anything, Freddie's example as a respectful, well-mannered, humble, appreciative, loving kid is something that every kid needs to see."
"What better example can we show in Hollywood movies than that, and I'm glad that I'm a part of it," he maintains.
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The leading lady in "My All American," Sarah Bolger, echoed what her co-stars had to say about Steinmark's life and values. Bolger plays the love of Steinmark's life, Linda Wheeler.
"There is a purity to the 1950s that I don't know myself," the young actress said. "Even the sexuality of it all, it was a more innocent style of love that we were portraying. I think it made it more weighted, more beautiful."
"I'd want my kid to be like him. That's how I see him," Bolger went on to say, "I want this movie, [when] you see Freddie and Linda [you say] 'I want to know those people. I want to be friends with those people. I want my kids to be like those people.'"
During our brief chat, writer and director Angelo Pizzo of the film pegged Steinmark a real-life hero. "I grew up loving westerns and there were always heroes that I admired and wished I could be like. I don't think there are too many movies out there that I would aspire to be like Spiderman or Batman you know? It's a different culture out there and [now] movies are made for the international market place," he said.
Pizzo said that the movie's primary financiers like himself also wanted to put something out there that was positive and that he could take his family to.
"Here is an authentic, real hero, that can be a role model for young men, and young women, and grown men and grown women, quite frankly," he stated. "This is someone who was short but made such a profound impact on everyone that he came in contact with and more importantly that still resonates and is meaningful 45 years later."
Similar to Whittrock, Pizzo honored Steinmark's strong faith. "Spirituality in a person's life is a very important component of living the well lived life," Pizzo concluded. "I think there are times that we are called upon that we have to reach down deep to find a deeper strength and sometimes faith is where we find it. I think it's a universal need that we all have."
"My All American" hits theaters November 13. Watch the trailer below.
For more information visit myallamerican.com
