MILLBURY, Mass. - The Blackstone Valley 14 Cinema de Lux was packed Monday night with friends and family of the late Holy Cross basketball star Neil Fingleton for a screening of a documentary about his life, titled "Big Smooth."

The film chronicles Fingleton's life, especially the time he spent in Worcester going to Holy Name and Holy Cross and starring in basketball for both programs.  Throughout the film, Fingleton's friends, former teamates and coaches share stories about the seven-foot, five-inch center who came to Worcester as a 16-year-old and found a second home and family. 

"I thought Paul [Stainthorpe, the film's director] did a great job," said former Holy Name basketball coach J.P. Ricciardi. "I thought they captured Worcester, they captured Holy Name, they captured Neil, they captured his teamates. It was just a great night, it was a great night for a lot of people. Really a celebration of Neil's life, we miss him tremendously. I wish he was here to see it. I think those guys hit a home run tonight."

"Emotional night, I'll tell you that much," said former Holy Name assistant coach Eddie Russell. "You just miss the big man, and I think that came through with everybody who talked about him. It was really good."

"The courage that he had to do things that people didn't really give him a lot of chance at success, even when he started with basketball, and when he went to acting, people didn't give him a lot of chance at success," said Fingleton's former U.S. guardian Phil Giarusso  "A lot of nay sayers and doubters, and he just plowed through."

"Well tonight I watched 'Big Smooth' for the second time, and I thought it was absolutely wonderful," said Fingleton's mom Christine Fingleton. "It was a massive tribute to Neil, my son, and all the people who made it possible. And the family is Neil's second family in Worcester."

Director Paul Stainthorpe is hoping "Big Smooth" gets picked up by a big studio or service so that everyone will be able to see it.