Movie review: McFarland USA

THE WOODLANDS, Texas - Now showing at local theaters...the much-heralded McFarland, USA, is a sports drama from Walt Disney Pictures based on the true story of a 1987 cross country team from a predominantly Mexican-American high school in McFarland, California.

Coach Jim White, played by Kevin Costner, struggles with the cultural differences of the Latino students he coaches, and eventually finds common ground, building them into a championship cross-country team and an enduring legacy. The role of Coach White demanded more emotion than some previously played by Costner, and more than we’re accustomed to seeing from him. He rose to the occasion with an exceptional and fine performance.

Carlos Pratts of The Woodlands, appears in the supporting actor role, giving a very believable and gut-wrenching presentation as Thomas Valles, the captain of the cross country team. Here’s what some of the top critics are saying about Carlos Pratts…

“A standout turn from Carlos Pratts as the most impressive of the competitors,” wrote Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune.

“Carlos Pratts turns in a soulful performance as Thomas.” said Andrew Lapin, NPR.

“Carlos Pratts, who plays the most temperamental but gifted runner, is a professional actor, and he seethes with convincing resentments,” writes Stephen Farber, Hollywood Reporter.

Other impressive performances by Mario Bello as Coach White's wife, Cheryl; Valente Rodriguez as the high school principal, Camillo; and Ramiro Rodriguez, as Danny Diaz.

Rotten Tomatoes gives the movie a very respectable 76% on the Tomatometer. High praise from the typically hard-to-please body of critics who see the early releases. Of random moviegoers polled, 87% intend to see the movie.

Artfully directed by Niki Caro, who also directed Whale Rider and North Country, and beautiful cinematography by Adam Arkapaw, the film shot in the flatlands of the San Joaquin Valley captures the scenic beauty of California in the cross country courses.

Several sports have been featured in an ‘against all odds’ movie...Miracle on Ice (hockey), Hoosiers (basketball), to name just a couple, but McFarland USA demonstrates how truly amazing the accomplishment was, going to state fourteen years consecutively and winning the state crown nine times for a total of 24 appearances at the the California state championships. Toiling in the crop fields as farm laborers both morning and night, attending school during the day, and still managing to train in cross country, Kevin Costner as Coach White said, “You’re superman.”

The movie delves deep into the heart of the Latino culture, but it’s not a movie specifically about the culture. It’s how a group of students collectively use their cultural difference as a motivator, and how a coach taps into that motivation. The movie is a great example of a team-building exercise.

“This is not just a film for Latinos,” said Pratts. “It’s for everyone. It’s something different. It has a different heart.”

Pratts emphasizes that it’s for anyone who wants to see the underdog overcome a myriad of obstacles. It’s for anyone who has found themselves in that position. He is hopeful that it will give kids who appear to be in a hopeless situation...hope.

To view the interview with Carlo Pratts about the move, view the link provided, and also see the links to related video and article.

Although not a local resident, Ray Garza, a familiar face in The Woodlands frequently visiting family, commented on his alma mater.

“The track team’s legacy took place a decade after I graduated from McFarland, but the school really hasn’t grown that much,” said Garza. “There were only 350 students in the school when I was there. My graduating class was probably less than five dozen. What the track team accomplished was nothing short of amazing, given the size of the school. It’s still a small school.”

As of this writing, Garza hadn’t seen the movie but said he intended to do so.

“Regretfully, as reported in the media...The school's unprecedented 24-year streak of attending the State Championship meet ended while the film was in production, after the small school was elevated to Division I to compete against schools with more than 2.5 times its enrollment (a byproduct of their success.)

Movie running time: 2 hours 8 minutes

Rating:

PG (for thematic material, some violence and language)