We Are Marshall
Directed by McG
Warner Bros.

4 Stars

A football soars through the air in slow motion toward the open arms of the star player as the camera pans the desperately hopeful faces of the crowd. Yeah, that’s new.

And yet, it works for McG’s (“Charlie’s Angels”) latest film, “We are Marshall.” Though its basic premise follows that of most inspirational sports movies—an individual or team that overcomes adversity—“We are Marshall” stands out because of its particularly heartbreaking plot.

While flying home from an away game, the team’s plane crashes and all 37 players and five coaches are killed instantly. The film focuses on the process of rebuilding the team, and subsequently, the community. The new team consists of the three members who were not on the plane and the new head coach Jack Lengyel (Matthew McConaughey).

Though the plot of “We are Marshall” is laced with tragedy, the movie does have its lighthearted moments. Most of these moments can be attributed to McConaughey, who is perfectly cast. Though in a dramatically different role from his usual lead in romantic comedies, McConaughey brings just the right amount of his signature goofy charm into his character, giving the film moments of much needed comic relief. Upon first meeting the three players, McConaughey comes up with memory tricks to remember their names, crediting this technique to an article he read in Redbook magazine. Though McConaughey’s character has this lighter side, McConaughey also nails his character’s serious side, beautifully showing the struggle of an outsider’s attempt to rebuild a community.

Donald Strathairn (“Good Night, and Good Luck”), in the role of Marshall University’s president, is also a standout. Though Strathairn faces a great deal of criticism for continuing the football program, he stands by what he considers to be the desire of the student body.

In rebuilding the team, McConaughey relies heavily on freshmen recruitment, which creates a problem because of an NCAA rule that freshmen are not allowed play time during NCAA games. McConaughey enlists the help of Strathairn, who makes multiple attempts at requesting the help of the NCAA president. When Strathairn dejectedly relays the news of the multiple refusals, McConaughey responds, “Did you ask your wife to marry you in a letter?”

McConaughey’s words prompt one of the most moving scenes in the movie, in which Strathairn, after driving to the NCAA headquarters and waiting in the pouring rain, catches the NCAA president on his way to his car and pleads for his help. The president’s agreement embodies the theme of community that runs through the film, and the way that its rebuilding is largely attributed to such acts of compassion.

Throughout the film, McConaughey explains to his players and fellow coaches that their situation is not about winning, but rather about playing the game. Though the ultimate sports cliché, it proves true for the Marshall team. Unlike the majority of sports films, the goal is not to win. We are not cheering for the team’s record, but rather that they manage to play at all.

Bottom line: Though easy to write off as just another inspirational sports movie, the true to life plot and spot on casting make “We are Marshall” a worthwhile see.