Review of McFarland, USA (2015) by Justin L — 18 Mar 2015

I thought this movie was really good. It was about the inspiring coach and his noble, suffering team. But the good intentions can't help it sprint past cliche.

Kevin Costner is Jim White, a combustible high school football coach. He loses his latest gig in 1987, after angrily throwing a cleated shoe at the head of a player. The last stop for Jim's inauspicious career is McFarland, Calif., a dusty town whose Latino citizens primarily pick vegetables in the nearby fields. Jim gets a job as a P.E. teacher and football coach. As Jim, his nervous wife (Maria Bello) and two daughters drive into town, nestled in the San Joaquin Valley, the youngest kid asks, "Are we in Mexico?" Their outsider status makes them instantly known, with the kids calling Jim "Blanco" or "Homes." The family's landed in a place where football is less than popular. Some of the kids can run, so Jim proposes starting a cross-country team. That gives seven students a chance to do something more. The most inspiring part of "McFarland, USA" comes at the end. We see how most of the team members went on to college and maintained roots in their community while pulling themselves up the ladder of success.

The rest of the movie, though, hits predictable beats: Jim earning his team's respect; his daughter flirting with one of the runners; the Hispanic neighbors welcoming the family with open arms and squawking chickens.

The nicely laconic Costner is now on his fourth comeback role, after "Three Days to Kill," "Draft Day" and "Black or White." The new movie may seem like "Hoosiers" (1986), but it's nowhere near as pushy with the rah-rah-ness. New Zealand director Niki Caro ("Whale Rider") can't avoid the white-knight aspects of the script, which comes from the writers of "Glory Road." The young cast often rises above the cliches, though, especially Carlos Pratts as a boy with a tough home life. The actors are in good form, but "McFarland, USA" can't find its footing. I really like all the characters in this movie. It was a good Disney movie!!!