McFarland, USA (2015)

Jim White moves his family after losing his last job as a football coach, and at his new school he turns seven disappointing students into one of the best cross-country teams in the region.

Director:

Niki Caro

Writers:

Christopher Cleveland (screenplay), Bettina Gilois (screenplay)

Stars:

Kevin Costner, Maria Bello, Ramiro Rodriguez

4 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kevin Costner	...	Jim White
Ramiro Rodriguez	...	Danny Diaz
Carlos Pratts	...	Thomas Valles
Johnny Ortiz	...	Jose Cardenas
Rafael Martinez	...	David Diaz
Hector Duran	...	Johnny Sameniego
Sergio Avelar	...	Victor Puentes
Michael Aguero	...	Damacio Diaz
Diana Maria Riva	...	Señora Diaz
Omar Leyva	...	Señor Diaz
Valente Rodriguez	...	Principal Camillo
Danny Mora	...	Sammy Rosaldo
Maria Bello	...	Cheryl White
Morgan Saylor	...	Julie White
Elsie Fisher	...	Jamie White

Storyline

A struggling coach and teacher who has had to move around for different incidents in his career finally comes to one of the poorest cities in America: McFarland, California. There he discovers buried potential in several high school boys and slowly turns them into championship runners and brings them closer than even he could ever imagine.

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Plot Keywords:

coach | hispanic | state championship | cross country running | running | 

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Taglines:

Champions can come from anywhere

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | Sport

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for thematic material, some violence and language

Did You Know?

Trivia

Principal photography took place in Camarillo, California and many of McFarland's residents were extras in the movie.

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Goofs

The film shows White's wife and children as depressed by having to move to McFarland. In fact, the White family wanted to live in a small town.

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Quotes

Jim White: David, I'd like you to ask your father something for me.
David Diaz: Yeah
Jim White: You know what, just tell him... just tell him it was an honor to be invited into his home.
David Diaz: Dad, he said it was an honor to be invited into your home.
Señor Diaz: Tell him I say thanks.

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Connections

Features CHiPs (1977)

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Soundtracks

Give It Up
Written by Chris Gerniottis
Performed by Kubla Kahn
Courtesy of Platform Music Group
By arrangement with Cicadelic Records

User Reviews

Don't run away from this movie.

The thought of a movie about running can be off putting, but personally I feel that you should give this movie a chance.

You won't be surprised that much by what happens as the structure of it is similar to hundreds of other flicks: the typical success story of a bunch of kids you would not bet $5 on. In this case, they have the gift of running, and their trainer (Kevin Costner) is the man to lead them. By the way, after so many years, I still don't know what to think about Kevin Costner. Is he a good actor? or is he just lucky to still get some roles? I haven't got a clue, but either way, his acting will not spoil the movie.

Since it's based on real events, you'll probably watch it out curiosity and forgive any lack of cinematographic quality. You should find it up-lifting and a good enough watch.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official site [Spanish]

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

20 February 2015 (USA)

Also Known As:

McFarland, USA

Filming Locations:

Kern County, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$17,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$11,020,798, 22 February 2015

Gross USA:

$44,482,410

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$45,710,059

Company Credits

Production Co:

Mayhem Pictures, Walt Disney Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

129 min

Sound Mix:

Datasat Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1