McFarland, USA

What makes McFarland USA so successful, and so bracing, is the way that its protagonist becomes aware of something that is rarely broached in these sorts of narratives - his own privilege.

Niki Caro uses every device at her disposal to make a rousing, feelgood movie but risks turning the film into a glorified fairytale in the process.

McFarland, USA is a modern anomaly — a Kevin Costner sports movie that’s genuinely rousing.

Kiwi director Niki Caro, best known for the Maori fable Whale Rider, makes underdog stories you keep wanting to get behind, and Costner's born-again-good-guy routine doesn't disappoint.

You run with it, just.

The kids are a likeable bunch and Costner, as ever, imbues the hooey with enough gravitas to make you care.

A standard issue inspiration coach movie.

Its feel good and inspirational story will raise your spirits and leave you feeling much better when you leave the theater than when you entered it.

There are good intentions behind this, even when it contains a problem or two [or three].

It's exceptionally well-meaning and patently inoffensive. It's nice to feel good.