Yet, this obviousness should not detract one iota from the entertainment value of this new cottage industry from the folks at Disney. Indeed, these films are incredibly likeable and the latest, "McFarland USA," is no different. You can't leave without having a smile on your face. Or craving a burrito.
Even though I had no clue about this story beforehand, the outcome was never in doubt. But, still, the journey to the inevitable conclusion is what makes the story work and it gets the audience so riled up that I heard rare and lively applause at the end. In a White Plains, NY cinema, no less. New York movie audiences, unlike their Los Angeles counterparts, almost never clap at the end of a film. At the first sign of a credit, the coats come on and they immediately head to Bennigan's for some buffalo wings. Yet, my showing of "McFarland USA" elicited cheers.
So, the movie worked beautifully.
McFarland is some downtrodden town in north central California, circa 1987. The population is 110% Mexican and poverty-stricken to boot. Practically every one spends at least three hours a day picking lettuce. The kids in high school go to work in the fields, then class, and then back to the fields.
In comes equally downtrodden Jim White and his family. They are the only Whites in town, literally and figuratively. Jim's a gym teacher/athletic coach whose temper usually gets the best of him and unemployment usually ensues. It's portrayed that McFarland High just might be the last stop for him.
White notices that some of the boys in school are particularly fast runners, most likely because they are dodging their abusive parents and/or the local police. He resolves to start a cross country track team for the school. The fact that these kids don't know the first thing about cross country track is immaterial. Heck, neither did I. How many of you know that, in a cross country meet, the team with the lowest score wins? I didn't.
Well, conveniently, six of the boys come together, begrudgingly at first, under Coach "Blanco." The kids are conceived in Central Casting to run the gamut of domestic problems, which would be unforgivable except they're all based on real people whom we meet over the closing credits. There's the suicidal boy with the abusive dad just out of jail. There are the three brothers who must spend at least three hours every early morning working for Dad in the fields. There's the requisite fat kid who lags behind in every meet. Hmmm. You just know he's going to play a part in the big meet at the end. Hackneyed writing? Or just serendipitous reality? Either way, you're rooting for the chubby one at the end.
Yes, the boys despise the coach at first. Yes, the coach will consider leaving town. Yes, there will be those heart-rendering moments where the coach will make a difference in each of their lives. Of course, of course, and of course.
But, still in some mystical way, "McFarland USA" works wonderfully. Almost in spite of the presence of Kevin Costner, who is also making a cottage industry of appearing in sports-related films. A fair actor at best, Costner did win an Oscar for "Dances With Wolves," which proves that even mediocre people can rise to the top at least once. In this film, Costner's non-acting works in his favor as it provides a catalyst for his quiet anger. Indeed, his family scenes feel real and organic with Maria Bello as his long-suffering wife and Morgan "I was so obnoxious on Homeland" Saylor as one of two neglected daughters. Go figure. It all fits together like a nifty little jigsaw puzzle.
"McFarland USA" is an ordinary film that turns out to be quite remarkable. You will get sucked into the story and the characters. And isn't that what a good time at the movies should be all about?
I can't wait to see what true sports story Disney will come up with next. Hey, how about a movie on the 1969 New York Mets? Heck, Len, what are you waiting for? Start writing.
LEN'S RATING: Three-and-a-half stars.
Dinner last night: Leftover chicken and veggies.
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