McFarland, USA an inspiring film for all ages
March 2, 2015
A feel-good, underdog story; McFarland, USA is inspiring in the sense of what respect to one
another can do, and what one person can do for a community.
The movie begins with Coach Jim White, played by Kevin Costner, arrives in McFarland,
California. McFarland is an overwhelmingly poor Hispanic town. Coach White immediately
wants to leave McFarland, the poor and under-resourced town, and return to a formidable
football program.
Due to his mouth, White is released from the football program in his first week. He is desperate
for a job, and in his desperation creates a cross-country program at the school.
Recruiting seven boys for the team is not an easy task. Most kids at the school pick crops at 5:30
in the morning and then go to school. Most of the kids feel that they will just end up in the
penitentiary next door to the school, so joining the team would be a waste of time.
Coach White struggles to gain the respect of his team; the runners will not even call him
“Coach”. White realizes that he must look at his team with respect as well.
Coach White encourages his runners to consider attending college. The parents of the runners
refuse; they need the boys in the fields to help earn money for their families. The citizens of
McFarland rally behind the cross country team all the way to the state championships.
McFarland, USA shows how different cultures can come together to achieve incredible things,
how respect to others can get someone a long way. It is an inspiring true story that will affect the
viewer in a positive, uplifting way.