Family Movie Night Reviews: McFarland USA

McFarland, USA

Based on a true story set in the middle of California’s Central Valley, a desperately poor area populated by ‘pickers’.  This is a classic feel good movie:  down and out High School football coach (Kevin Costner) meets no-prospect picker students …. and magic happens.

The High School Coach role is typical Kevin Costner – gritty, determined and torn, but you watch this movie because of the kids – who they are, where they are from, and what they ultimately become.  They are golden !

Tears are streaming down your face by the time the credits are rolling and the pictures of the actual boys (now adults) are shown running through the dusty almond groves of McFarland, USA where it all began.

My children resisted the movie when I brought it home, but watched the whole thing in awe.

This is truly a movie with a message.  I hope they got it !