“We Are Marshall”

What do you do with the football program of a University when a horrible tragedy takes the life of its members and coach?

November 1970 marked a time when a town suffered a horrible tragedy, one that left the community in sorrow and disbelief for a long time. “We Are Marshall” is based on this sad and true-life event, taking place in the town of Huntington, West Virginia and the uprising afterward. Being a native of West Virginia, this movie held even more meaning to me.

A plane crash claimed the lives of more than 70 people, including football team members, coaches, faculty and community members. The tragedy wasn’t limited to the university, but spread wide across the community and state. “We Are Marshall” depicts the impact very well, without the typical Hollywood drama.

A small percentage of the movie deals with the actual plane crash and then segues into the aftermath. Matthew Fox plays the character Red Dawson. He feels guilty because he stayed behind. He has a difficult time unraveling his feelings.

Nate Ruffin is a teammate who had to stay behind because of illness, but rallied to create another team to play in the 1971 season. He had no idea where to start and neither did anyone else.

Matthew McConaughey plays Jack Lengyl, who is enlisted to rebuild Marshall’s football team. He dresses odd. He’s a bit left of center and seems the last person who could help a football team and community rise after such a tragedy. But, he has a lot of wisdom and insight that helps bring the team and many others together.

There are other characters in this movie who add to the impact of the loss and the uprising. The acting is superb and the movie is about much more than football, but human life and how we can rise above tragedy. Whether you are from West Virginia or a world apart, this movie will tug at your heart and linger for a long time.

Click to view the trailer