Although "McFarland" was obviously "hyped" it is, in fact, based on a pivotal time in California's history -- the 1980s, when los chicanos began to take back their ancestral homeland with the encouragement of a few dedicated teachers like Jaime Escalante ("Stand and Deliver" -- a SUPERB movie!) and Bob "blanco" White. The acting is excellent for the most part, and even Kevin Costner wasn't excessively bland. The writing, especially the fictionalised "events" is typically Disney, but the actual story of athletic triumph comes through loud and clear anyway. I ran cross-country in my youth so it was especially interesting to me, but most people should be able to appreciate the sheer "guts" required to run over two miles uphill and down in searing heat. It's a good family movie although pre-teens may find it uninteresting.
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