Quick Hit - We Are Marshall - C

On DVD (2006). Rated PG-13, 132 minutes. Trailer.

Imagine, if you will, if Wooderson hadn't smoked so much pot and put his football smarts to good use. Combine that with George W. Bush (and a little Matt Foley) and you have Matthew McConaughey's performance as inspirational coach Jack Lingell in We Are Marshall. Directed by McG (known for his Charlie's Angels work), this film tells the story of the revival of the Marshall University football program after a plane crash killed all but 3 of its players and coaches.
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There are several touching moments in the movie, but anybody could've achieved that, given the storyline. This one is a simple paint by the numbers sports weepy. It isn't nearly as good as similar films (Remember the Titans), and doesn't come close to the classics (Hoosiers). David Straithairn and Ian McShane deliver solid performances with pedestrian dialogue and steely glances. Kate Mara (Brokeback Mountain, Shooter) proves her potential with a good teary performance as the grieving fiancee of one of the players. Too predictable to be good.