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There’s just something about a good underdog story that can bring a little bit of warmth to a chilly winter day. And with Disney’s latest sports drama McFarland, USA, director Niki Caro takes audiences to sunny California for a lovably heart-warming story about some unlikely athletes competing in an unlikely sport.
McFarland, USA tells the true story of Jim White (Kevin Costner), a troubled football coach with a notorious temper. In the fall of 1987, he finds that he has just one job option left: McFarland High School, located in a poor California town where most of the residents spend long days picking crops to make ends meet.
As his family struggles to settle into a town where they’re clearly in the minority, Jim struggles with his new job. And after a disagreement with the head football coach gets him removed from his position, he decides to switch sports, recruiting runners for the school’s first cross country team.
McFarland, USA definitely fits into the typical inspirational-sports-drama mold. It has the requisite mix of highs and lows, triumphs and setbacks. Yet it all comes together in a way that’s both effective and satisfying.
It may not be about a popular sport—like football, baseball, or basketball—but that’s part of the film’s appeal. This isn’t just another football movie. It’s the story of a bunch of underprivileged kids striving to compete in what always seemed like a sport for rich kids. As a result, they face their share of prejudice, but they let their talent speak for them.
The characters don’t necessarily stand out on their own. In fact, few of the seven runners are given individual attention. Yet it’s impossible not to fall in love with them collectively, as a group. These kids are definitely underdogs: hard-working young immigrants who expect little out of life. Statistically, they’ll end up on one of two paths: prison or picking crops. But running gives them an important sense of accomplishment—something to be proud of. Their hard work and dedication are inspiring—and their accomplishments are sure to tug at even the most cynical viewers’ heartstrings.
White, meanwhile, may not be an especially memorable character—and Costner’s performance may not be the kind that wins awards. But there’s something about the character—and the performance—that simply feels real. Jim is definitely a flawed character—one who struggles with anger, pride, and prejudice, too. Still, deep down, he’s a good man. And what starts out as a last-ditch attempt to earn a better job in a nicer neighborhood soon turns into an important learning experience for the troubled coach. He finds himself reaching out to his students, striving to understand them, their families, and their way of life. And though he struggles along the way, he ends up learning and growing in the process.
Even more than just a coach and his team, though, McFarland, USA is a story about community—about a poor little town finding something to make them proud and give them a positive identity. And the spirit of this community—their culture, their hospitality, and their personality—gives the film its irresistible charm.
It may not have the same hard-hitting intensity or Oscar-worthy performances of some other sports movies, but this long-distance drama takes a group of lovable characters and an against-all-odds story and produces something that’s sweet and moving. Watching it probably won’t burn many calories, but—as any good underdog story should—it’s sure to leave you with a smile on your face and warmth in your heart.
Blu-ray Review:
The Blu-ray release of Disney’s McFarland, USA isn’t exactly loaded with extras. In fact, it’s pretty basic: just a couple of behind-the-scenes featurettes, some deleted scenes, and the music video for “Juntos” by Juanes. But these few extras do have some interesting things to offer—like an additional storyline that plays out in the deleted scenes.
One of the featurettes, McFarland Reflections, also allows audiences to spend some additional time with the real McFarland runners as they enjoy a barbeque with their old friends and one new one: Kevin Costner. While it doesn’t provide a whole lot of new insights into the characters or their individual stories, it once again speaks to the heart of this film. It reminds viewers of the accomplishments that these young men and their coach achieved together as a team—and the changes they sparked in their community. And while the extras on this release may be limited, this one is definitely worth a few more minutes of your time.
Listen to the review on Reel Discovery:
