McFarland USA is a movie that is based off a true story during 1987 in a poor farming town in the Central Valley of California. Kevin Costner stars as James White, a fired high school football coach’s whose only option is to take a job in a town full of Mexican immigrants. He begins to work at McFarland High School as a new P.E. teacher and eventually decides he wants to create a cross country team at the school. By coaching seven of his students, White learns how to become not only a better coach, but a better person as he is exposed to the hardship of working in the field all day and living unstable lifestyles.

The movie promotes being open-minded towards new cultures as White and his family learn to embrace the Mexican culture that they are exposed to in their new town. It also creates a positive message of never giving up, despite hardships involving family, friends, and self-doubt. McFarland USA does focus on the cross country sport itself, but all the rules are fairly simple and explained, so non-runners can understand and appreciate the film equally. With an inspiring message and promotion towards having strong values and morals, McFarland USA is a well-directed film that people of all ages can enjoy.