Inspiring real-life story has racial slurs, mild violence.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Language
some
Language includes "bulls--t," "suck it up," "s--t," "cocky," and "dumb." White and Latino characters use the racial slur "wetback" and "pocho," a derogatory term given to Mexicans who have difficulty speaking Spanish with fluency. Insults/swear words in Spanish include "chingado" ("damn"), "hijos de su madre" ("bastards"), and "cabrón" ("a--hole").
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A character gets a small cut on his face after a golf ball breaks his car window. A few street fights and scuffles, without major consequences. A truck chases the team members after a brawl in a bar in Mexico. A character breaks the windows of a diner using golf balls. A war veteran has nightmares that include explosions.
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Adults drink beer socially. One character drinks from a stainless steel hip flask, while another drinks directly from a bottle that looks like champagne. A scene in a bar shows a couple of drunk adults; underage characters order tequila but don't get to drink it.
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One boy tells another that his nipples are showing. A married couple kiss, and he lifts her up in his arms. Another scene shows a husband and wife in bed, sleeping in their clothes. Two teens kiss on the lips and cheeks. One character urinates on a car, although nothing is seen.
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Everyone should have the same opportunities and not be discriminated against because of their origin or skin color. Be kind. Friendship and loyalty are very important. Fight to achieve your dreams. Sometimes the biggest obstacles are in our own minds. It's important to conduct yourself with honor and dignity.
Positive Role Models
a lot
Characters experience emotional growth, including the adults. JB initially sees the boys as his opportunity to join the golf club but then realizes that he has the opportunity to teach them life lessons: to fight for their dreams, to be disciplined and have self-control, and that violence brings no good (on the contrary, honor and dignity generate respect). The boys learn to control their emotions and realize their potential. The characters learn to believe in others and in themselves. Pollo demonstrates in a humorous way that victimhood isn't an option.
Diverse Representations
a lot
The story is about a team of Mexican American teen golfers, and many other main characters are Latino, including Mexican-born Jay Hernandez, Cuban-born Oscar Nunez, and Cheech Marin, who's of Mexican descent. Director Julio Quintero is the son of Cubans, and the movie is based on a novel written by Mexican American writer Humberto G. Garcia. Most White characters are depicted as affluent and being disdainful of people of color. The film focuses on a men's golf team, and women are limited to supporting roles. But JB's wife, Lucy, and Joe's girlfriend, Daniela, show that they have their own agenda and aren't afraid to expose their views. Daniela wants to go to college and pursue a career as a writer, and Lucy shows up at the golf course in pants, something that wasn't socially accepted at the time. A secondary character is disabled and has a prosthetic leg. White and Latino characters use the racial slur "wetback" and "pocho," a derogatory term given to Mexicans who have difficulty speaking Spanish with fluency.
Offers a glimpse into the recent history of the segregation of Latinos in the United States.
Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that The Long Game is based on the true story (originally told in the novel Mustang Miracle by Humberto G. Garcia) of five young Mexican American caddies who, against all odds, win the 1957 Texas State High School Golf Championship. Content is generally on the mild side. There are a few street fights and scuffles without major consequences, windows are broken with golf balls (once leading to a small cut on someone's face), and a war veteran has nightmares that include explosions. One teen tells another that his nipples are showing, and there's kissing by both teens and a married couple. One character urinates on a car, and adults drink alcohol. Language includes "bulls--t," "suck it up," "s--t," "cocky," and "dumb," as well as insults in Spanish. White and Latino characters use the racial slur "wetback," as well as "pocho," a derogatory term given to Mexicans who have difficulty speaking Spanish with fluency. This coming-of-age sports story has many positive messages about equity and pursuing your dreams and offers a glimpse into the recent history of the segregation of Latinos in the United States. The cast and filmmakers are mostly Latino, including stars Jay Hernandez, Oscar Nunez, and Cheech Marin and director Julio Quintero. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails.
This is a predictable but heart warming story that the entire family can watch. It’s a story about
overcoming obstacles and a sports triumph. It’s also about golf, but any sports fan would enjoy it. But it pales in comparison to other great movies about golf.
For example I thought the The Legend of Bagger Vance was far more moving, even tho’ it wasn’t critically acclaimed ( Robert Redford’s movie starring Will Smith, Matt Damon and Charlize Theron)
But this is a true story, and worth watching. It artfully tells the story of a group of Mexican American high school students, who triumphed over racial barriers to win the Texas state golf championship in 1957.
It’s beautifully filmed, even tho’s some of it is corny.
Great story illustrating a sports underdog story that also shows how racism impacted sports.
What's the Story?
Based on the novel Mustang Miracle by Humberto G. Garcia, THE LONG GAME is the true story of five young Mexican American caddies who, despite beginning with outdated, inferior equipment and no professional instruction, eventually went on to compete against wealthy, all-White teams and win the 1957 Texas State High School Golf Championship. In 1956, JB Peña (Jay Hernandez) and his wife move to the small town of Del Rio, Texas, partly for his job as a school superintendent but mostly to fulfill JB's dream of joining the prestigious, all-White Del Rio Country Club. But when JB is rejected because of his skin color, he meets with a group of young Latino golf caddies who work at the club and feels inspired by the handmade golf course they built to teach themselves golf. With little experience and even fewer resources, JB convinces the boys to start their own high school team, starting them all on a journey where they learn that it takes more than just golf skills to make history.
This is a classic sports underdog story, and even though we know it's going to have a happy ending, the injustices that the team faces on the way to the state championship are still surprising. The mainstream narrative has often neglected stories about minorities, especially pioneers who paved the way for future generations. The Long Game is one of these stories. (And, in fact, most of the people on which the film is based are still living.)
Although there are a few clichéd moments, the characters have depth overall. JB does his best to play within the White rules, yet it's still not enough. The caddies are too Mexican for the United States and too American for Mexico. Special mention goes to Cheech Marin, who steals the show with his few appearances, which are full of humor and wisdom. If you liked A Million Miles Away or McFarland USA, you will likely enjoy this movie, too.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the appeal of movies based on true stories. What can viewers learn from the facts behind The Long Game?
How did the other teams underestimate the San Felipe Mustangs team? What are the dangers of stereotyping and discrimination?
Does seeing racism and prejudice portrayed in a historical setting make it any easier to watch? Why, or why not?
What messages do you think the film is hoping audiences will take away? What does this movie have in common with other underdog sports stories?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
suggesting a diversity update.
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
By Mary Aviles
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
