Movie; McFarland, USA

McFarland, USA: a Kevin Costner film.  This feel good story is based on real events that occurred in McFarland, California, a town in the Central Valley, which is a farming community with a predominantly Mexican-American population.  The events take place in 1987.   Kevin Costner plays Jim White, a high school football coach who has had issues with his temper.  He is hired as a physical education teacher and an assistant football coach.  In the opening scenes, White, his wife and two daughters, are moving to McFarland.  After he starts teaching, White notices he has the talent pool for a cross-country team. White had never taught cross-country.   As the team develops, White and his family become involved with the community.  The seven runners who comprise the team are presented as individuals and certain of their family members are integral to the story.  This movie works because it goes beyond stereotypes.  The screenwriters, Christopher Cleveland, Bettina Gilois and Grant Thompson, are to be praised as the story could have become quite condescending but never does.  The director is Niki Caro, a New Zealander, who brings a fresh approach to what could have been just another Hoosiers tale.  This is more than just a sports story and Adam Arkapaw’s cinematography during the cross country races are excellent.  After watching this 128 minute movie, I left the theater feeling real good.  Part of the reason was Costner’s excellent performance.  Also, the writers allow you to see a community working well together in spite the poverty and difficult environment.  I could see this film a second time.