We Are Marshall

I have to admit I wasn’t too keen on this film. I understand the point was to show us the pain and the grief process that the teammates, family and town went through, but I found it very difficult to feel their pain and as a feeler, this was important to me. We were only shown the members of the crash but for a moment; we were not given an opportunity to connect with them. If I had seen a little more of these team mates and gotten a feel for their personalities, I believe that I would have had true sorrow for their death, as well as those they left behind. Instead I only felt sympathy for them and I believe that this may be due to the fact that it was an actual event; had it not been I’m not sure I would have felt a whole lot.
I loved the line where Red told Nate that he’s done enough and also the look of relief on Nate’s face after he heard this. This made me think of my family and how, my whole life, I have felt responsible for them. This is partially due to much responsibility being put onto me at a young age and having parents whom constantly point out that us children, especially me, are responsible for my parents actions and feelings, the effects of these actions and feelings, my siblings, foster siblings and so on. I also, am responsible for this feeling of codependency; I am 30 years old and am responsible for myself and how I enable others. On the other hand my siblings and parents are adults and are also responsible for themselves and how they enable each other. I am not so powerful as to hold my family together or to protect them. I found this out first hand upon my return to Colorado Springs. I have been awfully arrogant to think that I impact them that much.
I loved the story behind the story and that though it is about football, it’s not about football. It’s about the healing of a town; more than that, it’s about teamwork, both on the field and off. As each person tried to deal with their suffering alone, they became self focused, selfish, angry and mean. Once they looked past their selves and what they went through and noticed that they all went through this, they were able to look past circumstances and towards the future. Coach Jack was such a crucial part of this, which had a lot to do with the fact that he was not from there and it was not personal for him. More of this had to do with his personality and his willingness to let them hurt, but push them to heal. He was treated quite poorly and often the target for the towns anger, yet in his compassion he stayed and kept fighting for them. He taught them the true meaning of teamwork and how together we accomplish more.