Prejudice on the Fairway

Imagine stepping back into 1950s Texas. This was a time and place where the winds of change were brewing. However, the air was still heavy with the weight of discrimination and prejudice. Into this setting walks ‘The Long Game.’ This film tells a story of underdog triumph. It also paints a vivid picture of the societal challenges faced by the Mexican-American community during this era. Not only do we delve into this film from a perspective of racism, but in The Long Game Christian Movie review, I give parents the information they need before viewing this film with their children.

In this cinematic journey, led by the likes of Jay Hernandez, Dennis Quaid, and Cheech Marin, we’re reminded of the Christian values of acceptance and love thy neighbor, values that contrast sharply with the racism and exclusion depicted in the movie. It’s a reflection on our past. And it points to a time when Mexican Americans, despite contributing to their communities, had to fight hard for recognition and acceptance.

The Long Game Christian Movie Review

Studio Synopsis

When JB Peña moves to the small town of Del Rio, TX to take over as the school district’s superintendent, his dreams of joining the prestigious, all-white Del Rio Country Club are immediately squashed. However, soon he meets a group of high schoolers who happen to caddy at the club—they too are prohibited from playing the same course because of the color of their skin. So JB and them band together, at first with the aim of winning tournaments and making it to State, but quickly learn that there’s a lot more to aim for—and a lot more on the line—when a team of Mexican-American teens competes and wins in this exclusive world. Based on “Mustang Miracle” by Humberto G. Garcia.

My Synopsis:

A Mexican-American man becomes Superintendent in Del Rio, and wants to join the Del Rio Country Club to play golf. He is denied entrance based on his ethnicity. He develops a plan to work the system. The Texas State High School Golf Championship is played at that golf course. All he needs to do is put together a winning team of young men who play golf and have them qualify for state. The San Felipe Mustang’s form a team and practice on a one-hole course they make themselves. But can they win against the kids who play at the rich country clubs? Along the way, he teaches the boys about playing by the rules in spite of how others treat them. 

Swinging Against Prejudice: The Story’s Heart

Imagine stepping onto a fairway—not just to play, but to swing against the deep-rooted prejudices of a 1950s Texas town. This is the underdog story of JB Peña and the San Felipe High School Golf Team. We meet a group of young Mexican-American caddies with aspirations greater than their experience. Despite facing scorn from the white Del Rio Country Club members, JB’s dream for his team is to own their game, on their own golf course, unfolds amidst challenges that test their spirit and faith. Through each drive and putt, they confront the very fabric of segregation, turning the sport into their pulpit.

This real story encapsulates the embodiment of Christian virtues—perseverance, dignity, and overcoming prejudice—showing us, in their quest for the state championship, how the game of golf became a testament to their indomitable will to rise above societal constraints. Their journey, marked by fewer resources but an unwavering belief in the better angels of our nature, champions the Christian ethos of grace under pressure, uniting us in the acknowledgment that at the heart of every struggle lies the potential for triumph. 

The Long Game Christian Movie Review – What Parents Want to Know

Language:

Some foul language includes taking God’s name in vain – Chr-st sake, J-sus, g-d d-mmit, mother of g-d.

Other language includes: b-stard, h-ll, d-mn, bullsh-t, little sh-ts, and a-s. 

Also includes: Thank God. Some other crude language: suck, stupid, a crude comment is made about nipples from one teen boy to another, and the phrase “will you just grow a pair?” is uttered.

Racial language is used throughout and includes derogatory terms such as wet back, gringo. There is a sign in a business window that reads, “No Dogs, No Mexicans.”

Violence:

In the beginning of the film, there is a flashback to Army bombers and a man holding a gun. There are some fights between whites and the Mexican-American teens. A boy intentionally hits a car with a golf ball and it breaks the window and hits the driver in the head. He is shown bleeding. There are a few chase scenes. 

​A man pulls out a baseball bat in a diner. A teen hits golf balls through the diner window. In several scenes, there are things done to try to get the Mexican-American teens to lose control and fight in an attempt to get them kicked out or disqualified.

Sexual Content:

A married couple kisses. A teen couple kisses several times throughout the film. Additionally, a man is shown without a shirt on.

Spiritual Content:

A cross hangs on a wall. Furthermore, a woman talks about praying for a baby.

Other Content:

There is a significant amount of drinking throughout the film. One character is often shown with a flask. Additionally, there is beer and wine drunk throughout the film. One man opens a bottle of champagne and drinks it from the bottle eventually getting very drunk. 

A woman shows up at the golf course in pants, and comments are made about that. The other women have dresses on.

A young man pees on a car. 

Moral Fairways: Christian Themes Explored

In “The Long Game,” we’re gifted with a tale that’s much more than an underdog sports drama. Through the journey of JB Peña and the San Felipe High School Golf Team, facing deeply entrenched societal prejudices in a segregated Texas, the film uniquely mirrors the Christian journey of persevering in faith amidst trials. Their bold strides against the rich tapestry of a 1950s setting, where skin color unjustly dictates one’s career prospects and acceptance within the community, becomes a compelling narrative of grace under pressure.

It’s in these uphill battles, against the backdrop of a racist Texas border town, that the characters’ unwavering resolve and quest for equality resonate deeply with Christian virtues.

Their story is a testament to the Biblical principle that in Christ, there is neither Jew nor Greek, bond nor free, signaling a profound message on the pursuit of a world where every individual is judged not by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. 

Beyond the Screen: Implications for Today

First, ‘The Long Game’ reaches across the green expanse to remind us that the stroke of acceptance, the putt towards racial harmony, and the drive for striving for loving our neighbor never fade from relevance.

As we traverse our own fairways in life, this story from a segregated Texas, echoing the Christian values of love and unity, stands as a beacon. It’s a call to uphold these timeless virtues. Furthermore, it invites us to reflect deeply. How can we champion these values in a world still grappling with division? As followers of Jesus, let’s embrace the film’s invitation to cultivate a community.

Let’s make our towns a place where every person, irrespective of skin color or background, finds a place on the green—united in the pursuit of a fair game. 

Teaching with The Long Game

Always wanting my children to understand the times, we talked about the prejudices that existed in the past. My father-in-law, a first-generation American with extremely curly hair and darker skin, would not have been admitted to that same country club as an Italian. 

Even 20 years ago, I heard from “well-meaning” friends that my baby son was sick and jaundiced because he had olive-toned skin. These friends had never seen a darker baby. While they did not speak those words out of prejudice, truly, it was because their worldview was so limited. We can take the high road, as in the case of JB Peña, and seek to educate others rather than get angry.

Furthermore, it was a little more than two decades ago that a local country club faced lawsuits based on the fact that they didn’t offer memberships to women. If a husband died, the wife lost her membership, and women could not dine or golf at certain times because it was restricted to men only. 

Teaching your children about discrimination of all types helps to shed light on these practices. Several moments in the film highlight someone who is uncomfortable with what is going on. However, that person fails to stand up for fear of personal retaliation. Help your children learn to stand up for others even if it isn’t easy. Children best learn these values by watching parents “do the right thing.”

Additional Teaching Opportunities

Watch other films, such as Cabrini. The Angel Studios film tells the story of a nun named Mother Cabrini who helped poor Italian-Americans. Discuss how discrimination comes in all shapes, colors, and sizes. Furthermore, how we ourselves need to check our own hearts and make sure we are not discriminating against other groups.

Research ethnic groups and discrimination. Resarch disabilities and discrimination. Did you know that Columbus Day was started in response to lynchings of Italian’s in Louisiana?

My Viewing Recommendations: The Long Game Christian Movie Review

As we reach the closing credits of The Long Game, it’s impossible not to reflect on the powerful journey we’ve just witnessed. Overall, this film hits a hole-in-one, but it is not suitable for the entire family due to the language and violent content. I would recommend ages 9 and up.

Additional Thoughts – The Long Game

This line drive of a movie, rich with the hues of 1950s Texas and the heartbeats of young Mexican-American caddies, invites us into a broader conversation about acceptance, courage, and the relentless pursuit of dreams, irrespective of the color of one’s skin or the size of one’s bank account. It’s a story that transcends the dusty fairways of the San Felipe High School and echoes in the corridors of our daily lives. 

Through the determined eyes of JB Peña and his spirited team, the film unravels the fabric of classic American values, serving as a reminder that the game of golf, much like life, is not just about the balls we hit but the grace with which we swing despite the adversities we face. As viewers, we are urged to reflect on our ‘own game’ – how we navigate prejudice, form our teams, and strive for a state championship in our respective fields, armed only with our own golf course of dreams. 

In essence, The Long Game is not just a recount of an underdog sports drama. Additionally, it’s a canvas where broader themes of racial harmony, Christian virtues, and the relentless pursuit of equality are painted. This reminds us that sometimes, the most significant victories happen off the field. As you leave the theater, or turn off your television, let the story of JB and his team inspire you to find the courage to play your own game, in a world that too often forgets the rules of fairness and love. 

Character Compass: Meet the Cast

In the heart of The Long Game, we find ourselves enveloped by the poignant narratives of Jay Hernandez, Dennis Quaid, and Cheech Marin. Hernandez steps into the shoes of JB Peña. He plays an undaunted school superintendent determined to carve out a path of hope through the noble game of golf for young Mexican-American caddies in the small town of Del Rio.

Alongside him, Dennis Quaid embodies the role of Joe Treviño. He is an old war buddy whose wisdom and guidance serve as a beacon of perseverance. Cheech Marin adds depth as the wise mentor, steering our protagonists towards dignity amidst the harsh prejudices they face. Together, their stories weave a rich tapestry, illustrating a powerful Christian message that through faith, unity, and relentless effort, overcoming societal barriers is within reach. 

The Cast of The Long Game

JB Peña played by Jay Hernandez

Lucy Peña played by Jaina Lee Ortiz

Frank Mitchell played by Dennis Quaid

Pollo played by Cheech Marin

Joe Trevino played by Julian Works

Daniela Torres played by Paulina Chávez

Gene played by Gregory Diaz IV

Mario played by Christian Gallegos

Felipe played by Miguel Angel Garcia

Lupe played by José Julián

Gayle Baker played by Gillian Vigman

Del Rio Country Club Director played by Richard Robichaux

Joe’s Father played by Jimmy Gonzalez

Tim Cox played by Michael Southworth

Margaret Cox played by Mykle McCoslin

Alice Glenn played by Heather Kafka

Judge Milton Cox played by Brett Cullen

Principal Guerra played by Oscar Nuñez

About The Long Game

Rating: PG for language, racial slurs, thematic material, some violence and brief rude matieral

Release Date: April 12, 2024

Runtime: 1 hour, 46 minutes

Genre:Sports Drama/Based on a true story

Studio: HarbourView, Fifth Season, Much Mas Media, Bonniedale, Jaguar Bite

Directed by: Julio Quintana

Written by: Paco Farias, Jennifer C Stetson, Julio Quintana

Based on the book: Mustang Miracle by Humberto G Garcia

Produced by: Ben Howard, Dennis Quaid, Laura Quaid, Mrala Quintana, Javier Chapa

Edited by: James K. Crouch

Music by:Hanan Townshend

Distributed by: Mucho Mas Releasing