Film Review: We Are Marshall

Director: Joseph McGinty Nichol

The plane crash that claimed the lives of 75 people on-board was a tragedy in 1970, it killed 37 American Football players from Marshall University as well as 7 coaches, the athletic director, 25 boosters and the crew. The plane was flying low into land after an away game and caught some trees as it tried to land in Ceredo, West Virginia and crashed into the woods leaving no survivors. The film stars Matthew McConaughey as Coach Jack Lengyel who is given the role of Head Coach of the American Football team after the crash by University President Donald Dedmon (David Strathairn).

The Plane Crash

The film begins with the crash and then follows the events of the team in the following year after they convince the school board to allow them to continue to play. This is despite the fact they have just three returning players who were not on the flight and the feeling in the town that it isn't right for the team to go back to playing after what happened. It produces an underdog team with a genuine reason to back them after the tragedy that befell the town.

The story itself is an inspirational one, a town coming together through sports to show unity against a tragedy and to respect the memory of those lost. From the music to the script you can't get past the cheesy feel-good factor that the film brings. The story itself has enough feel good moments to it that they don't need to be shoved in your face with over the top theatrics. The plot also focuses too much on the quirky antics of Jack Lengyel, although McConaughey is very good in this role, and not enough on the entire community around the Universities football team.

Donald Dedmon (David Strathairn) and Jack Lengyel (Matthew McConaughey) 

Matthew McConaughey as I mentioned above is a pleasant surprise as the off-beat and quirky coach whilst David Strathairn is a pillar of integrity as the president of the University. The directing is odd at times with a very generic feel to the filming, its like something that was made for a cheap TV station rather than a major film with Hollywood stars. McG seems to be out of his depth here and its to the detriment of the final product.

2/4 Inspirational story should have been better told