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We Are Marshall (2006)
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Reviews Counted:124
Fresh:60
Rotten:64
Average Rating:5.8/10
Consensus: Matthew McConaughey almost runs We Are Marshall to the end zone, but can't stop it from taking the easy, feel-good route in memorializing this historic event in American sports.
Runtime: 2 hrs 11 mins
Genre: Dramas
Synopsis: In November 1970, a plane carrying almost the entire Marshall University football team, its staff and fans crashed, killing 75 people in all and devastating the small town of Huntington, West... In November 1970, a plane carrying almost the entire Marshall University football team, its staff and fans crashed, killing 75 people in all and devastating the small town of Huntington, West Virginia. WE ARE MARSHALL, directed by McG (THE O.C., FASTLANE) tells the tragic true story of how the university and the citizens of Huntington rebuilt the football program and dealt with the loss of so many of their own. The university's president, Donald Dedmon, earnestly portrayed by David Strathairn (GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK), hires the only willing coach to take on such a daunting task, Jack Lengyl (Matthew McConaughey). With the help of the lone Marshall football coach Red Dawson (Matthew Fox) and the three remaining players who weren't on the plane, Coach Lengyl sets out to restructure Marshall's team, and spirit. But for some in the community it's still too soon, including Paul Griffen (Ian McShane) who lost his football-star son. They fear that moving on so quickly is disrespectful to those who died and to the loved ones who still mourn. The film emphasizes this issue, illustrating the struggle of that harrowing time at Marshall, and in college football history. Although WE ARE MARSHALL contains a similar theme to other sports movies, rising from adversity, the tragedy of so many lives lost in a small community and the painful recovery sets this film apart. Strong performances by McConaughey (FAILURE TO LAUNCH)—his wit and energy adds much needed doses of comic relief, Fox (LOST), and McShane (DEADWOOD) successfully help bring the historical and inspiring story of Marshall University to the big screen, a must-see for all sports fans. [More]
Starring: Matthew McConaughey, David Strathairn, Matthew Fox, Huntley Ritter
Starring: Matthew McConaughey, David Strathairn, Matthew Fox, Huntley Ritter, Anthony Mackie, Kate Mara, Ian McShane, Robert Patrick, Kimberly Williams
Director: McG
Director: McG
Screenwriter: Jamie Linden
Producer: Basil Iwanyk
Composer: Christophe Beck
Studio: Warner Bros.
Reviews for We Are Marshall
McConaughey campily channels Jon Stewart channeling George W. Bush for his impersonation of Lengyel.
...would've benefited from the presence of virtually any other actor in the central role...
We Are Marshall is not a bad movie; it is a potentially nice, familiar movie unfortunately marred by the unspeakably awful performance of Matthew McConaughey.
A sentimental, simplistically inspiring movie that leans heavily on Matthew McConaughey's substantial energy and charisma for its success.
Despite its best intentions, there is much in We Are Marshall that holds it back from being the best it can be.
What allows We Are Marshall to stand above many of the other 2006 sports movies is both the undeniable power of the story itself and the strong ensemble McG gathered to tell it.
We Are Marshall is the kind of movie that not only believes in the goodness of humankind, but makes you believe it, too.
That McG makes it vital and energetic, and not morose or preachy, shows a director on top of his game.
'We Are Marshall' is both better than it has a right to be and still feels somewhat disappointing.
As exciting and well staged as the on-field action is (finally, a football movie gives the field goal kicker the respect he's due!), I was more taken by what was happening off the field.
You'd think with this set up that Annie's experience would be complex and sustained in We Are Marshall, but no. This is a men's story.
...sincere performances help to put over some of the inspirational cliches...
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