The latest in the stream of inspirational football flicks, We Are Marshall is based on the true story of the Marshall University football team that perished when their charter plane crashed on November 14, 1970. The 75 passengers aboard, including players, coaches, boosters and parents, all died in the crash, devastating the families, school and entire small community of Huntington, West Virginia.  

The university decided to continue the athletic program but the wounds of the survivors and community were still fresh.

As the film begins, Paul Geffen (Ian McShane), who lost his son, waitress Annie (Kate Mara), who lost her fiancé, and assistant coach Red Dawson (Matthew Fox), who gave up his seat on the doomed flight, are paralyzed by grief and guilt as they are faced with moving on.

As the first step toward rebuilding the team, Marshall president Donald Dedmon (David Strathairn) hires Jack Lengyel (Matthew McConaughey) as the new head coach. With only three returning players, Coach Lengyel attempts to rebuild the football program by recruiting soccer players, walk-ons and even petitioning the NCAA to allow freshman starters. The road to recovery—and victory—is a difficult path, but the new coach instills heart and passion into his players with an inspirational speech.

The cast is outstanding. Anthony Mackie (team captain) speaks each line with determination and remembrance, and McConaughey’s performance is a step above excellent.

This film isn’t about the underdog team rising to victory, but it is about a group of people pushing past the difficult grieving process and merging an entire community together. Director McGinty honors those lost by accurately recreating the tragedy and allowing the community (and audience) to overcome the onscreen heartbreak.

The audience embarks on an emotional rollercoaster that transforms between tears and triumph from start straight through closing credits in  We Are Marshall.

By Beth Joseph

Beth Joseph is the assistant editor of Casino Connection magazine in Atlantic City.

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