The Long Game releases April 12th, 2024.
Inspirational sports films are a dime a dozen. Just like musical biopics, they follow a strict and unwavering formula that any self-respecting cinephile can predict long before settling in to watch. The key to their success is primarily in the execution of that formula. Thanks to a fantastic cast, a tight script and skillful direction from Julio Quintana, The Long Game is a worthy addition to the tried-and-true genre.
The Long Game Plot
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JB Peña (Jay Hernandez) loves to golf, but in Del Rio Texas in the 1950’s racism and prejudice keep him out of the country club and off of the golf course. After taking a job at a local high school, JB is surprised to meet a group of Mexican-Americans teens that share his love for the sport. Together they form the school’s first golf team and set out to prove themselves in the Texas state championship tournament.
The Critique
Jay Hernandez will always be Paxton from Hostel to me. The Eli Roth film essentially launched the “torture-porn” boom of the early 2000’s. The gruesome, blood-soaked imagery of that film are a stark contrast from the uplifting and wholesome nature of The Long Game. It’s a testament to his skill as an actor that he’s able to transcend genres and believably pull off both roles.
The film only works if audiences connect with the characters. We — no matter our background — must form a genuine connection with the boys and become invested in their journey. As a white-man in modern-times I have no personal experience with the challenges they faced; however, Julian Works (9-1-1 Lonestar), and the rest of the young cast, bring an authenticity to their performances, allowing us to bridge the gaps of time and experience the journey with them. We relate to their youthful rebellion and mischievous behavior, while sympathizing with them for the harsh treatment they endure due only to their accents and the color of their skin.
At the center of the true-story is, of course, the game of golf. I took golf lessons for a few months when I was ten-years-old. Beyond that, I have no experience with the sport and I haven’t touched a golf club since. The Long Game doesn’t waste time explaining the rules or structure of gameplay. Instead, it utilizes its characters and their passion for the game — not only as a sport, but as a manner of standing up against the injustices committed against them — as the focal point. Quintana never talks down to his audience, and despite the clear moral-mission of the story, it never comes off feeling like a lecture.
In Conclusion
In a genre that’s known for its predictability, it takes a skillfully crafted film to rise above the tropes and clichés. While The Long Game primarily follows the blueprint of successful films that came before it, it stands on its own as an inspirational and entertaining entry due to the strength of its genuine writing and authentic performances. Peña and Quaid are perfect and I truly believed in their mission to help this team overcome racial-bias.
7/10
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