WE ARE MARSHALL (2006)

Directed by McG. Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Matthew Fox, David Strathairn, Anthony Mackie, Ian McShane, Kimberley Williams, Robert Patrick. Drama/Historical/Sports Synopsis: A drama based on the true story of the Marshall University Thundering Herd football team that was devastated by a tragic plane crash in November of 1970, tracing its resurrection as a school, team, and town through the eyes of the school president and new coach that began the rebirth of the football program.

For the first time since I wore a younger man's clothes and waited in line for over an hour in the Boston chill to gain a seat to Beverly Hills Cop , I treated myself to a big budget Hollywood movie on its opening night nationwide...and the funny thing is, I didn't intend to. Its just that Rocky Balboa was surprisingly sold out, even at the final showing on a dull Friday night in a mid sized town in a mid sized state in fly-over- country three days after its release. You see, I avoid opening night for some theater movies because I like to stretch out in the theater. Anyway, my next big surprise was that We Are Marshall was not sold out, or even close to it on its opening night. In fact, there were only a handful of people.

That's too bad, because this one should have been sold out, folks.

Many of you, particularly if you are college football fans, have heard of the devastating plane crash carrying almost the entire Marshall team, coaching staff, and boosters from the area (Huntington, W.VA). It's mentioned, even just in passing, almost every time the now successful Marshall football team plays on ESPN and, of course, every time there is a tragedy involving a sports team in travel, such as the Oklahoma St. basketball plane that crashed a few years ago.

But, many of us, like me, did not know the complete, real story and this film does an excellent job of telling it, entertaining us, tugging on our heart strings and even making us laugh once in a while. No mean feat when you're dealing with such a terrible topic.

The film starts on the afternoon of Nov. 14, 1970, as the Marshall team drops a heartbreaker on the road at East Carolina. You will first notice that the film is pretty to see, beautifully shot, and those of us old enough to remember even a little bit of that era will appreciate the authenticity of the '70's feel. We are quickly introduced to the team and coach, whom the movie smartly assumes that we as viewers know are doomed. There is not much time to get to know them individually in the film, but enough time is spent in a quality way to let us know that these young men-save the afros, long hair, plaid pants, bushy sideburns, et\.- were no different than the guys you knew in college: whether that was the 50', 60's, 80's (my college time), 90's, right now or in the future. Full of life, mischief, dreams. Yes, we empathize, and with no sentimental overkill. 

The crash scene is well filmed, not exploitive in any way, but you will feel the immediate loss and tragedy. I think McG deserves special kudos for this scene, particularly knowing that this film would premiere in Huntington.

Just that quickly, the film changes which is an excellent metaphor. We are introduced to the main characters: the new coach ( Matthew McConaughey Failure to Launch, Two for the Money); the school president (David Stratharin Missing in America ); the bitter father of one of the deceased players (Ian McShane Deadwood) ; and the returning team captain who was not on the flight due to an injury (Anthony Mackie Haven) .

The story follows the path from there that you would expect, which is no criticism considering this is a real life story that most will be familiar with before they see it. That does not mean it does not keep you involved, it does. McConaughey does a great job, despite the annoying speech pattern he employs for his character. He injects humor into the part without compromising on the tragedy and spirit of rebirth that goes on throughout the movie. I'm not a regular viewer of Deadwood, but I can see the hype about McShane, he is wonderful in this.

I'm a little surprised that this movie, evidently, did not do well in its early release in the theater, but don't let that fool you into thinking its not a darn good feel good flick. Because it is, and there is nothing wrong with that.