McFarland, USA

As I've stated in previous reviews, we've all seen films based on true stories. We've even seen films based on a true sports story, but other than a select few, "Remember the Titans" 2000 and last year's "Million Dollar Arm" come to mind, we haven't seen too many sports films based on a coach of a particular team than is destined to succeed. Now we have "McFarland, USA" to add to that slowly growing list.

This is the against-all-odds story of the 1987 McFarland high school cross-country team in an economically challenged predominantly Hispanic community. Jim White (Kevin Costner) is hired as a physical education teacher only through observation, realizes these kids in his class which include Thomas Valles (Carlos Pratts), Johnny Sameniego (Hector Duran), Damacio Diaz (Michael Aguero), Jose Gardenas (Johnny Ortiz), Danny Diaz (Ramiro Rodriguez), Victor Puentes (Sergio Avetar) and David Diaz (Rafael Martinez) can run like the wind. He himself needs a shot in the arm professionally, and equally notices these guys could use a break as well--they are agricultural pickers that are destined to a live of picking and that's it. So he takes these novice runners and creates a team of what he believes are winners begging to happen. As they start winning meet after meet, they realize they are state champion regional material. Do they make the grade?

Others to round out the cast are Maria Bello as Cheryl White, Jim's wife, Morgan Saylor as Julie White, Jim's daughter, Diana Maria Riva as Senora Diaz, the brothers' Diaz's mom, Omar Leyva as Senor Diaz, the brothers' Diaz's dad, Valente Rodriguez as Principal Camillo, Danny Mora as Sammy Rosaldo, and Elsie Fisher as Jamie White, Jim's younger daughter.

This was directed by Niki Caro ("Memory & Desire" '98, "Whale Rider" '02, "North Country" '05, "A Heavenly Vintage" '09, "42 One Dream Rush" '09). By her resume, she certainly knows her way around films that are message oriented. Costner had a certain realness to his character for which I'm sure is due to her ability to bring that side of Kostner out in the open, not to mention Costner's ability to shine as an actor. It was written by Christopher Cleveland, Bettina Gilois and Grant Thompson based on a story by Cleveland and Gilois. Since this was based on a true story and the story wasn't what I would call difficult to follow, this wasn't that much of a stretch for a seasoned writer. The script was well thought out as far as the order of events so as to make it easy to follow. This was clearly more about the eventual growing as a team between these guys more than the story itself. And with that, this film soared. The comraderie between these guys was amazing. They became more than a team...they were a family.

As with other sports based on true story films, this was definitely a stand up and cheer type of film. Believe me, in a world where there are so many obstacles, we need more films like this, not only to escape, but to teach us the way we should be more often to one another.

Out of 4 Stars: 3                                     Rated: PG                                  128mins.