McFarland, USA

By now, you know I love movies. I saw terrific previews for McFarland, USA and knew I had to see it. We all love movies where the underdog wins. Plus, it's about a Mexican community which I identify with as a Mexican.

The only big name star in the movie, was the polarizing Kevin Costner. I love his voice and movies. The movie is based on a true story; my favorite! Costner plays hot-headed football coach, Jim White whose temper gets him fired...a lot!. Yet, again his family of four has to move to another town for work, McFarland, California. There he helps coach football and teaches science and P.E. His hot-head gets him fired from football. His family struggles to get used to a new town. As he drives, he sees high school students run really fast. There, he gets the idea to form a cross country team. Valente Rodriguez, from the George Lopez show, plays the funny principal who okays Jim starting a cross country team. His first recruit is a boy he protected on the football team which got both of them kicked off. That boy helps him recruit more, including the three Diaz brothers, including slow Danny. Danny, Coach White explains will be the teams anchor.

The hard working kids get up at literally the crack of dawn to help their families pick fruits and vegetables in the fields, go to school, run, then help in the fields again. White wakes up one morning and helps in the field all day to see what their lives are really like. He gives the boys hope that with cross country they can go to college.

Focusing on cross country causes Coach White to miss his daughter's birthday. With the help of his new friends and the Mexican community, he gives her a Quinceañera. This celebrates her becoming a woman.

His team loses it's first competition, but learns from it and trains to do better. All their hard work pays off and they qualify for state finals, despite many ups and downs along the way. The team grows to respect Coach White. They end up winning state with the support of their community. All the boys end up going to college. Coach White leads several more cross country state titles before retiring. Most of the guys on his first team, live and work in that same community, most even teaching at local schools. They continue to run with the cross country team to stay connected. My friends and parents really liked it. A bonus is the fun Mexican music throughout the movie. Pretty sweet story! Check it out.



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