The Long Game (#540)


To paraphrase a once popular song that is not familiar to most of you, "it seems to me I've seen this film before...." Once again, I think, it is based on a true story, and is yet another iteration of the downtrodden sports figures overcoming all obstacles and coming out on top.  This one isn't about football, basketball, tennis, soccer or cross country running; it is about golf.  Set at the close of WWII, THE LONG GAME, starring only one recognizable star—Dennis Quaid—is about a young veteran, J.B. Pena, and his wife, who move to a small town in Texas where he has been hired as superintendent of schools. A golf nut, the first thing on his agenda is to apply for membership in the town's exclusive golf club, and he is rejected, obviously because he is Mexican-American.  He subsequently joins forces with a town resident, his former commanding officer and fellow golfer (Quaid) to create a high school golf team comprised of young Mexican-American students who work at the country club as caddies.  Coach and team overcome each and every obstacle (and some are formidable) as they move toward the goal of vying for the state high school championship.  The movie is formulaic and predictable, and I found much of the dialogue and performances stilted, and all reading this don't have to guess to know how the movie ends!  It is not one of the better come-from-behind films because, despite the abuse and actions they encountered, it wasn't quite as bad as you might expect.  Critics gave it a 78% thumbs up, and it was obviously a movie audiences savored with a 98% approval. 

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