Latinos achieve their own American Dream in McFarland, USA
It’s been off to a great year for Latinos in Hollywood. A Puerto Rican actress nabbed a Golden Globe for dreaming big, a Mexican director leads…
Kevin Costner, right, is Coach White in “McFarland, USA” (Photo: Walt Disney Studios
Motion Pictures)
It’s been off to a great year for Latinos in Hollywood. A Puerto Rican actress nabbed a Golden Globe for dreaming big, a Mexican director leads the Oscars nominations and two new films have put Latinos in the forefront once again. This time we’re gonna talk about “McFarland, USA.”
Following the true story in “Spare Parts” starring George Lopez and Carlos Peña Vega, comes the compelling movie “McFarland, USA” –also based on a true story.
(Photo: Walt Disney Studios
Motion Pictures)
SEE ALSO: George Lopez’s shines in ‘Spare Parts’
Not that we should be comparing both flicks, but the plots have a very familiar theme.
Both stories tell the story of a group of high school Latino students who happen to be undocumented immigrants struggling to achieve the so-called “American Dream.”
Both groups of teens attend a troubled school in an economically-challenged town.
Then you have the inspirational mentors George Lopez (Mr. Cameron, Spare Parts) and Kevin Costner (Mr. White, McFarland, USA), who encourage the kids to dream big.
The teens in “McFarland, USA,” however, are not only students, but also field workers who spend their hours before and after school doing intense labor. It’s not the teenage life most Americans dream of.
Based on the true 1987 story, the upcoming film follows novice runners who give it their all to build a cross-country team under the direction of Coach Jim White (Kevin Costner), a newcomer to their predominantly Latino high school.
With grit and determination, the unlikely band of runners eventually overcomes the odds to forge not only a championship cross-country team but an enduring legacy as well.
(Photo: Walt Disney Studios
Motion Pictures)
Along the way, Coach White realizes that his family finally found a place to call home and both he and his team achieve their own kind of American dream.
Forming part of the soundtrack is Colombian singer Juanes with the single “Juntos” –written exclusively for the movie.
“Watching the film left me inspired about the power of teamwork, tenacity and faith, and I’m honored to now be part of the ‘McFarland, USA‘ team,” Juanes said in a statement.
The singer recently performed “Juntos” at the 57th annual GRAMMY awards.
“McFarland, USA” will hit theaters nationwide February 20th.
