From the Ground Up

I usually do not write reviews, but after watching this film I absolutely felt compelled to contribute. I am not writing a review because this movie is the greatest thing ever made. No. There are other documentaries that have much more drama to the story (as it appears every documentary you see these days is about someone pretending to uncover something that has never be uncovered before even though it has), and perhaps bigger names involved as well. I am writing about this film because I have worked in film production primarily as a producer and what this first time filmmaker pulled off is truly extraordinary. I read that he had no experience whatsoever before making this movie? Incredible to me. The amount of moving parts in this film and with no major name behind him or big backer, for example, getting NFL footage...I cannot imagine what it must have been like to get it done. Kudos to this first time artist. Now for the meat and potatoes. I am a meat eater and love it. I watched this with my wife. A happy wife is a happy life they say. She is a vegetarian. I thought this film was going to be something that made me feel bad about eating meat, only to make me resent the pushy vegan crowd more than I already do. I can tell you that was not what happened at all. I do not think any finger is pointed directly at anyone. It merelys asks questions. Overall, the movie is a little long, but the intent is genuine and heartfelt.

As someone who viewed this film holding a closed minded thought of following a plant based diet, I can humbly say this experience changed my opinion. Personally, I have an ingrained dissonance with extracting protein from my diet, but Santino's film shed light on the benefits of doing just that. We all have the capability of curtailing the harm of animals and our ecosystem, and Santino's film is a wake up call on how much room for improvement we have available. This film, whether bolstered or seen as an aberration, perils the American diet.

As an artist I was blown away by the beauty and the craft of this visually mesmerizing film.

As a personal trainer I was inspired to think about the food options that are available to me and to my clients in the pursuit of muscle development and general health.

As an animal lover I was non-judgingly nudged in the direction where my heart was always telling me to go.

"From the Ground Up" doesn't guilt or shame you into wanting to make a different choice. It illustrates the effectiveness of a plant-based diet. It does so as it eloquently tells the stories of successful athletes who are not only passionate about their sport, but who are also passionate about making a difference in this world.

From the Ground Up is an amazing film. The director Santino focused his attention to athletes who are vegan/vegetarian, while at the same time telling his own story of going through the journey. This film is not only inspiring but very educational as well. This is nothing less than a ground breaking film that cuts down stereotypes of needing meat to gain muscle mass/strength. I'd recommend this film for anyone thinking of making the change, athlete or not.

My girlfriend and I saw this film & enjoyed it. We aren't vegetarians nor vegans but definitely this film has taught us about a different way of living. I loved the fact how this film is not judgmental and instead it's directed to everyone who wants to learn a different way of living. Well done by the filmmaker on his first film.. could've fooled me. Must watch!