by Shane Conto, Staff Writer
Who doesn’t love a good underdog story? They make for some of the most inspiring stories in film, and it’s especially poignant when the story is true. But you can add many layers to it as well. Why are they underdogs? Sometimes the competitors are more talented, but the odds just are not in their favor. They could be from “the wrong side of the tracks.” They could just be “different.” There might be an issue of resources. It can be hard to compete with an adversary who has better equipment and more formal training, and even has the rules in their favor. Throw in a dash of racism, and you have yourself quite the story! That is the story of The Long Game.
What is so inspiring about this story? It about the Mexican-American experience. Not only that… it is the 1950s. And it is golf. There are few sports as white dominant as golf. You have World War II veteran (Jay Hernandez) as a coach, who has never felt appreciation for that sacrifice, and has been denied by the best golf club in Texas. He takes a crew of young men from his district and launches the school’s first golf team. A story that begins with getting back to the club turns into so much more than that. You have probably seen plenty of movies like this, so it should be easy to slide right into the experience. Narratively, it hits all the expected beats of an underdog story with racial conflict and coming-of-age elements thrown in.
But does The Long Game offer anything new? Overall, the film hits its themes in a solid but obvious kind of way. The antagonistic white characters are blatantly obvious, even when their racism is delivered in microaggressions. There are moments throughout which feel a bit too much like you are watching a film. Those scenes come off a bit too melodramatic, which makes it hard to ground yourself in the seriousness of the situations. A few elements might feel fresher to audiences, though, including the perspective of the central protagonist and his experience as a veteran. The significance of military service amongst underrepresented groups makes for interesting perspectives. There is also a sequence where the boys visit Mexico, and this reinforces their isolation caused by being marginalized by both white Americans and native Mexicans alike.
Do we have a fun crew of characters to liven up the film? Hernandez does a good job anchoring the whole film with a charismatic performance. He must balance his trauma from the war, his role as a husband, his job as a coach, and his own selfish motivations to join this elite golf club. You have a strong supporting turn from Dennis Quaid as the assistant coach, and Hernandez’s former commanding officer. A little bit of Quaid can go a long way today. Jaina Lee Ortiz gets some strong moments as Hernandez’s wife, a woman who desperately wants a family. Brett Cullen is great as the racist white judge who is the kingfish of this golf club. Oscar Nuñez and Cheech Marin get a few moments to shine as well. But the young men who make up the team get little to flesh out. Only Julian Works’ Joe gets an arc of his own. In truth, he is the only one who gets discernible characterization. He even gets a love story, which is by-the-numbers at that.
How does director Julio Quintana and his crew help elevate this film? Well, it is gorgeous, for one thing. There is intimacy in the way the camera engages with the actors. You feel deeply connected with the characters, especially in the more emotional scenes. There is a beauty and richness to the colors as well. The green of the golf courses and blue of the sky are striking. You feel deeply connected to the journey on screen thanks to cinematographer Alex Quintana’s work. Composer Hanan Townshend crafts a complex and diverse score that works perfectly with the action on screen. Julio Quintana leans heavily into montages, which are mixed with moving shots and Dutch angles. There is something dynamic in the way the film is brought to life, which helps elevate a story that might come off a bit too familiar.
Is The Long Game a poignant and inspiring experience? It definitely is to an extent. This type of story has been done plenty of times over the years, and even the added layers have been explored in stronger films. One thing is for certain, though: This is a wonderful, well-told true story. Hopefully more people learn about the San Felipe Mustangs and the barriers they broke down for future Latino PGA Tour competitors.
Rating: It’s Just Okay
The Long Game is currently playing in theaters
You can read more from Shane Conto, and follow him on Instagram and Letterboxd