McFarland, USA
McFarland, USA

McFarland, USA

2015Movie128 minEnglish

A track coach in a small California town transforms a team of athletes into championship contenders.

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Insights

IMDb7.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes79%
Metacritic65/100
Google Users94%
Director: Niki CaroGenres: Drama, Sport

Plot Summary

In the predominantly Latino community of McFarland, California, a coach named Jim White sees potential in a group of unskilled but determined young men. Despite facing numerous challenges, including cultural differences and economic hardship, White works to build a championship cross-country team. The film chronicles their journey, highlighting themes of family, community, and the pursuit of dreams against all odds.

Critical Reception

McFarland, USA was generally well-received by critics and audiences, praised for its uplifting story, strong performances, and heartfelt depiction of community and perseverance. It resonated particularly with audiences who appreciated its inspirational sports narrative and its positive portrayal of immigrant families.

What Reviewers Say

  • A crowd-pleasing and genuinely inspiring sports drama with strong performances.
  • Effectively balances a heartwarming underdog story with a respectful look at a specific community.
  • Kevin Costner delivers a warm and grounded performance as the coach.

Google audience: Viewers loved the movie's inspirational true story, Kevin Costner's performance, and its positive message about hard work and community. Many found it to be a feel-good film that was both entertaining and emotionally resonant.

Fun Fact

The film is based on the true story of the McFarland High School cross country team, which Jim White coached to state championships throughout the 1980s and 1990s.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

3 reviews
tmdb51616167

tmdb51616167

I recently discovered this wonderful film that had somehow escaped my watchlist until now. Sometimes, trailers fail to capture the essence of a movie, leaving you unsure whether it would interest you or not. I had owned this film for som...
r96sk

r96sk

Well made, well acted. Hearty viewing. <em>'McFarland, USA'</em> sees Disney do a true story sports drama for what feels like the billionth time, but there's no disputing they sure do know how to create a wholesome and meaningful film fo...
Reno

Reno

> It's just a matter of when, one to find his place to fit in. Nothing wrong to call it an another version of 'Spare Parts', but it dealt with a different subject. It is a biographical-sport film, about a running race team involving seve...