For a moment there, it seemed like we were on the cusp of a Kevin Costner-aissaance. Following the TV hit "Hatfields & McCoys," the actor signed up for "Man Of Steel" (where he played Superman’s dad… and died), and starred in a string of flops: "Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit," "3 Days To Kill," and "Draft Day." But never one to walk away from a sports movie, Costner is now adding cross country running to list of pictures set in the world of baseball, football, and golf. And the first trailer for "McFarland USA" is here.
Co-starring Maria Bello and directed by "Whale Rider" helmer Niki Caro, the film is a based on a true story about a coach who arrives in a dirt poor farming town and turns his mostly Latino charges into cross country stars. Insert the American Dream, some dramatic beats about immigrant families, and mix in sun-kissed cinematography, and you have all the ingredients for a movie that seems to be exactly what it promises. Disney’s last shot at the inspiration, cross-cultural sports movie, "Million Dollar Arm," didn’t quite work out well, so we’ll see how this goes. Though you gotta admire whatever executive greenlit a movie about running.
"McFarland, USA" opens on February 20, 2015.
Please stop using al the -aissances!!!!