McFarland USA

Name: McFarland USA
Genre: Drama, Sport
Released: February 20, 2015
Duration: 129 min
Rating: 60
Cast: Kevin Costner, Maria Bello

2015

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 32 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 86 Ratings

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7.3

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7.3	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 86 Ratings

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McFarland, USA

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Movie Details & Credits

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures | Release Date: February 20, 2015 | PG

Starring: Kevin Costner, Maria Bello

Summary: Inspired by the 1987 true story, novice runners from McFarland, an economically challenged town in California’s farm-rich Central Valley, give their all to build a cross-country team under the direction of Coach Jim White (Kevin Costner), a newcomer to their predominantly Latino high school. [Disney]

Director: Niki Caro

Genre(s): Drama, Sport

Rating: PG

Runtime: 129 min

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Critic Reviews

RogerEbert.com Glenn Kenny

Feb 19, 2015

Costner’s uncanny evocation of Gary Cooper masculinity and Gregory Peck compassion in the role of coach Jim White is the glue that holds it together, but the rest of the cast is equally inspired. Read full review

Richard Roeper

Feb 19, 2015

Hardly the sporting-movie equivalent of a Hail Mary touchdown pass or a homer in the bottom of the ninth, yet McFarland, USA still has plenty of moments where you find yourself rooting hard for these kids, even though you know you’re watching a re-creation of events from the mid-1980s Read full review

James Berardinelli

Feb 19, 2015

McFarland USA, like "Hoosiers," makes characters a priority. The film, directed by New Zealander Niki Caro, focuses on the people involved in the drama. The narrative doesn't saddle them with cliché-riddled subplots; it makes them and their concerns real. Read full review

Movie Nation Roger Moore

Feb 18, 2015

McFarland is old-fashioned without being dull, pandering without feeling cloying or racist. Read full review

Scott Tobias

Feb 19, 2015

With its genuine interest in the immigrant experience and what it means to be an American, McFarland USA ekes out a victory in the margins, proving that a little openness and a little self-awareness can do wonders. Read full review

Jesse Hassenger

Feb 18, 2015

Of course, it would be even nicer to see this story from a student athlete’s point of view. Beyond the representation issue, it might allow the movie to eliminate its dull and unevenly developed scenes. Read full review

Tom Russo

Feb 19, 2015

This chronicle of an ’80s high school cross country coach leading a team of Mexican farm laborers’ kids to competitive glory may be based on a true story, but the forced drama doesn’t help it to feel that way. Read full review

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User Reviews

Lagamedog

Mar 4, 2015

This movie is a excellent movie that everybody should see. Even though I already knew the ending, it is how they got there is the meet of the movie. This movies shows that you should not very give up even if you want to.

7 of 8 users found this helpful71

sweetspea

Jun 12, 2015

See it! McFarland USA was an excellent movie. It made you feel good and would be a great movie to inspire people. Wonderful is all I can say. See it, Rent it!! Good job Costner!!

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

JMGutierrez

Feb 26, 2015

McFarland, USA is an excellent family movie, but has so much more to offer. As a Mexican-American, I have had to watch countless movies with which I've never experienced any personal connection. McFarland USA is a standout on this factor. For example, I most definitely enjoyed the subtleMcFarland, USA is an excellent family movie, but has so much more to offer. As a Mexican-American, I have had to watch countless movies with which I've never experienced any personal connection. McFarland USA is a standout on this factor. For example, I most definitely enjoyed the subtle humor within this film, often times knowing the joke because of my own experience with some awkward moments during culture clashes, other various cultural undertones as well as the Mexican based, Spanish language. This is one of only a handful of movies I've ever seen to use these factors and I applaud both Costner and Disney for their work. I hope that now that Latinos are the largest segment of California's population, more films such as McFarland USA will be made. I would think for example, the exact same cast could be used to re-do an old James Cagney film "Angels with Dirty Faces", obviously, now re-set in L.A., but with the same young men. There are so many stories that could be told about Latinos that I think will uplift and inspire (why Cinco De Mayo is critical to U.S. history, who led the charge at Omaha beach and on and on). I hope people will see McFarland, USA, not only for the inspiring film about the underdog, but for what it could mean for the future.… Expand

5 of 6 users found this helpful51

LeZee

Jul 24, 2016

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 seven high school students from one of the poorest townsIt'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 seven high school students from one of the poorest towns in America, McFarland. But the tale begins with the coach Jim White, who finally arrives with his family there after got fired frequently in the other cities. Not intended to stay for a long period, but he has no other choice. He finds hard to fit in the society and get along with his students, but he manages to get going when he forms a team for the upcoming cross-country running race. So their journey puts the small town on the map.

A very inspiring film, not just sports personalities, but anyone who wants to achieve in life should see it. So a must see film for the students and the youngsters. It is not just about the sport, but culture and society. The first act was an introduction, where and how everyone comes together was revealed. Followed by the middle part focused more on the game. Getting prepared for it and facing other troubles that stands obstacle to it. And finally in the third act, it kind of loses what originally intended as a theme, but brings the social matter into it before getting back to where it belongs to curtain.

There was lots of modification in the cinema version compared to the original story. Characters, locations, events, all were kind of randomised from the actuality to the different timelines just to tell a good story. After all, this is a Disney film and Disney always seeks a decent family theme, yet it still remains true to the real. From the New Zealand director of 'Whale Rider' fame, another brilliant film. Apart from the super Kevin Costner and his family, the rest of the cast was so perfect. One of the best sport-dramas of the year and Disney done it again. You no need to analyse it to choose, just go for it and it won't disappoint you.

8/10… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

NShep53

Mar 26, 2015

Transcends all the familiar sports movie tropes and is a movie worth watching. Kevin Costner is great here and Carlos Pratts is an actor to watch in the future.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

BrianMcCritic

Jul 13, 2015

A fairly cliched sports film done extremely well. You can see everything about this film miles away. That doesn't change the fact that the film was entertaining.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

schwartzpm

Feb 20, 2015

More "overcoming all odds" tripe. Designed to lull people into believing that everyone has the opportunity if they try hard enough, which, in this country is true fantasy. Would rather have seen a film about the other 99.999% who had to deal with the reality of their circumstances without aMore "overcoming all odds" tripe. Designed to lull people into believing that everyone has the opportunity if they try hard enough, which, in this country is true fantasy. Would rather have seen a film about the other 99.999% who had to deal with the reality of their circumstances without a guardian angel. This would have been a more realistic drama, instead of the feel good deception.… Expand

0 of 7 users found this helpful07

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