Joe Leydon Film Critic Winner of an audience award at the 2023 SXSW film fest, “The Long Game” is an utterly predictable yet thoroughly engaging period drama.
Set in 1950s Texas, the film focuses on the true-life story of five Mexican-American youths who triumph against all odds while overcoming adversity, prejudice and periodic self-doubts in their pursuit of a Texas State High School Golf Championship trophy.
Jay Hernandez stars as JB Peña, a WWII vet who takes a job as superintendent of San Felipe High School in Del Rio, not so much to succeed in academia as to be near the Del Rio Country Club, where he hopes to improve his golf game.
Trouble is, despite a strong recommendation from his former commanding officer, Frank Mitchell (Dennis Quaid), the club’s golf pro, JB is rejected for membership because, as the club director bluntly explains, other members “are just not used to seeing a Mexican on the golf course.” If JB plays there, it will have to be as Frank’s guest.
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