By Jackson Weaver
Staff Writer
From the age of ten years old this latino majority living in a small town in McFarland are put to work on their families small farms. “McFarland USA” exemplifies the fact that Child Labor Laws are often broken in order to provide for their family.
Walt Disney Pictures introduces both a fascinating plot that provides new motivation to unemployed people and ones that are just getting by, focusing on a poverty-stricken suburban town. “McFarland USA” is a sequential order of events that flow perfectly together; however, director NIki Caro could’ve put forth more effort into the finale of the movie instead of creating a cliche ending.
Directed by Niki Caro, “McFarland USA” is based on a true story that takes place in a poor city called McFarland that primarily is based on agriculture located in the San Joaquin Valley. High school teacher and coach Jim White (Kevin Costner) is dealing with financial issues and is forced to take a job for a small school.
Coach Jim White has to adapt to the priorities of his runners. Many of them are put to pick crops on the farm early before and after school which gives White a limited time to practice. White’s job is to not only make them faster runners but also better people and he has to accept the fact that without the work of his runners many of the families would go hungry.
Kevin Costner excels in his role as high school cross country coach Jim White by providing a strict yet forgiving character that earns him respect from his runners. Through the course of the film he starts to learn that education is the runners first priority, then helping out on their families small farm and that running is just an enjoyable place to get away from stress. Costner wants them to succeed both on the course and in the classroom.
Disney amazes viewers with a heartwarming film that is prevalent to society today showing the struggle of adolescents living in a poor environment. These cross country runners are primarily teens that work on these poor farms. Director Niki Caro incorporates that the effort of these young men might not make them professional athletes, but with dedication can earn them a well paid job.
In a poverty-stricken town most of life’s experiences are dull however Caro relieves some of the tension by adding in a scene of Costner riding a “Barbie” bicycle. Throughout the film, Costner is shown as a masculine and conservative man but this glimpse of him riding the bicycle shines a soft side to his character.
Unfortunately, even though “McFarland USA” is a heartfelt and emotional film, the ending is predictable. Caro tries to add tension and drama to throw off viewers unnecessarily. For example, at the end of the film one of the runners falls and scrapes his arm, but gets up very quickly and joins back in the race.
“McFarland USA” is a sensational story about achieving more in life than working on a farm. Kevin Costner plays a strong role providing encouragement and motivation to the latino majority in the town. Altogether this inspirational plot proves to shine as a wonderful masterpiece through the acting of Kevin Costner, the realistic setting produced and the adding of a moment of comic relief in a primarily depressing film pulls “McFarland USA” together.
“McFarland USA” is rated PG and is playing in theaters nationwide.
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