Costner er i sit es i rollen: På én gang varm og cool, macho og følsom, bekymret omsorgsgiver og hård indpisker, højtidelig motivator og ironisk wisecracker.

Caro keeps the material picturesque, respectful, and respectable...

...Caro...brings huge reserves of both curiosity and empathy to the story, and her abilities as an entertainer keep the movie generous in both heart-tugging and smile-inducing moments.

...the film has generated the cloud of warm liberal fuzziness required to carry us up over the pick-and-mix platitudes and predictable narrative diversions.

Historien om det umage løbehold er gjort af samme stof som selve den amerikanske drøm – og oven i købet based on a true story.

...has a nice feel for Latino life, the kids are a likable bunch and Costner, as ever, imbues the hooey with enough gravitas to make you care.