Tragic and true

I watched this movie last week and I can't believe it took me nearly two years to discover it! Matthew McConaughey may have found his niche – finally. Enough with the romantic comedies man, you have talent to inspire - use it! In 2006 this movie won the Heartland Film Festival's Truly Moving Picture Award. A Truly Moving Picture "…explores the human journey by artistically expressing hope and respect for the positive values of life."

This film is based on a true and tragic story. On November 14, 1970, the Marshall University football team, football coaches, athletic staff, key alumni, and friends were flying home to Huntington, West Virginia after an away game against East Carolina. Their plane crashed killing all seventy five (75) aboard. How does a university and a small town of 50,000 people respond to a massive tragedy that affected so many students and town residents? This movie is about their struggle to come to grips with that tragedy.

Without bitter rancor and with humility, some felt the university should start up a new football team and persevere through a long rebuilding process to honour the dead. Others, again without rancor and with humility, believed that starting up a football team would be too painful a reminder of the tragedy. It was decided to start a new football team immediately and play the next season in 1971. This movie is primarily about the difficulties of the development of the team..

Matthew McConaughey plays the new Head Coach brilliantly and believably. He is a combination of country bumpkin enthusiastic huckster and a wise man. And he does it simply because he believes – "Maybe I can help." He displays courage and perseverance and makes sacrifices with a career move that could throw him out of his beloved profession, head football coaching, forever. Fox does a good job as the Assistant Coach – still trying to figure out the right and wrong – having missed the flight as he had to go recruiting.

The town and University learn that how you play the game matters, and even simply showing up is a kind of victory too. This is a compelling story well told and very moving.

Watch it – It's a fantastic way to start the year!

Watch it if you liked – Remember the Titans

Movie Hall of Fame – No

Tagline – From the ashes we rose

He said/she said – When you take that field today, you've got to lay that heart on the line, men. From the souls of your feet, with every ounce of blood you've got in your body, lay it on the line until the final whistle blows. And if you do that, if you do that, we cannot lose. We may be behind on the scoreboard at the end of the game but if you play like that we cannot be defeated.

Now we came here today to remember six young men and sixty-nine others who will not be on the field with you today, but they will be watching. You can bet your ass that they'll be gritting their teeth with every snap of that football. You understand me? How you play today, from this moment on is how you will be remembered. This is your opportunity to rise from these ashes and grab glory. We are...

Watched a good movie? Let us know all about it at filmreview.mm@gmail.com – let's spread the movie "buff"iness! P.S. Thanks for all your mails!