Michael and I are total suckers for a good, sappy sports movie.
Baseball is our preferred sport to cry over — is Field of Dreams not one of the best movies ever?! — but we love rooting for the underdog, and we’re all about teammates bonding.
So, to make it short and sweet, we adored McFarland, USA.
Based on a true story, the movie stars Kevin Costner (hey, I never realized how many sports movies he’s been in!) as Jim White, a former football coach who’s just been fired — again — for anger management issues. Desperate for work, he moves his wife (Maria Bello) and daughters to an impoverished small town in the middle of California’s farm country where they are blatantly the ones in the minority.
White — or, as the kids disparagingly refer to him at first, “Blanco” — takes a teaching job at the local high school. As he watches the students run off to pick fruit in the fields before and after school, he is blown away by their speed and stamina. He decides to hone their raw ability and start a cross-country track team.
Living in Southern California, where we often see migrant workers doing backbreaking work in the fields, this movie hit close to home to us, putting real human faces on those bent-over figures. Those are no fields of dreams, and it’s sobering when White tries to literally experience life in these kids’ shoes by joining them to pick one day and quickly ends up on the ground, under the blazing sun, barely able to move.
It is impossible not to root for these boys, who put their hearts and souls into everything they do. They get up at 4 a.m. to pick fruit, they are respectful to their parents, they attend school and then run miles in order to compete. When the member of an opposing team says, “They can’t run without a cop behind them or a Taco Bell in front of them,” you want to smack him and tell him he should have half the strength and character these kids have.
Niki Caro’s direction is so natural and empathetic, she draws authentic performances from even the non-professionals, making you care deeply about what happens to the seven boys on the team. And their families. And their town. She takes “one of the poorest towns in America,” and, with great respect, shows off the rich Mexican-American culture which brightens the bleak landscape.
I heard Michael sniff-sniffing next to me — which always makes me happy I married him — and I wasn’t surprised because it’s hard not to get caught up in these boys’ struggle and their success.
We talked after the movie about the fact that so much of your life depends on the opportunities you’re given — and those you actually take. White empowered these “invisible” kids, giving them the opportunity to change their futures and, ultimately, be seen and acknowledged by the public, by colleges, by filmmakers.
And the boys took that opportunity and ran — for their lives.
My hubby wants to see this. I don’t care for Kevin Costner, so I think that I am going to sit this one out.
This looks like a wonderful movie. I can’t wait to see it.
Baseball is our sport, too, and I have come to respect Costner’s inspirational movies. Can’t wait to see this one.
I’m really excited to see this movie eventually. I have heard nothing but good things about it.
I come from a town in CA just like the one in the movie and am crying just reading your review.. Will definitely go to see this film.
Bull Durham is one of my favorite films ever. Matter of fact, I still want a long, slow, deep, soft, wet kiss that lasts three days. Preferable by Kevin Costner. I’d love to see this movie. Thank you for your positive review.
I can’t help love anything that Kevin Costner does, I have had the biggest crush on him for decades! He can be my bodyguard anytime he wants!
This is exactly the kind of good message movie I like. Just added it to my “wanna see movie list.”
On my list of to-see movies. Kevin Costner seems to be everywhere right now, glad to see he’s finding work and good stories to tell.
Sounds like a great movie. Even though I don’t watch sports I love sports movies. They always end with a positive note and message. Thank you for the review!
Mom and I are planning a girls night out to go see this. It looks so good.
This movie just moved up a few pegs on my must see list! I am not sure there is anything better than Kevin Costner in a captivating sports movie and a bucket of popcorn. Wonderful review Lois. Thank you!
I love movies like this! I loved Field of Dreams, too, but one of my favorite sports movies ever was Hoosiers. Sounds like this movie has the same kind of heart and soul. I’ll have to put it on our list.
I had no clue this was a true story. HA! My FIL and Hubby saw it and loved it. I can’t wait to see it next time they go.
Anything that Kevin Cosner is in is sure to be good. Been hearing a lot about this movie
I can’t wait to see this movie!
I cannot wait to see this movie. Definitely a girlfriend movie to check out!
It sounds like such an inspiring movie. And it sounds like an inspiring real life town!
This looks a great movie! I am such a fan of sports movies as they always have such a great message. Thanks for the reminder to go see this.
This is going to be good. Plan to see it soon.
I can’t wait to watch this! Kevin Costner is still sexier than ever! Plus it looks like something my husband would love to watch!
This is the kind of movie that when I walk out of the theater, I feel good. It’s inspiring!
This is such a great movie! I love Kevin Costner!
I’m a Kevin Costner fan so I’m looking forward to this movie.
Kevin Costner is still an amazing actor. I’ll be seeing this one for sure!
My son wants to see that so bad. He used to be a runner in middle school and is so happy that there is a movie that is not about football or basketball.
I cannot wait for a date night to go see this.
I love movies like this as well! It is on my list.