The Long Game

In the sweltering heat of 1956 Texas, the small town of Del Rio is rife with underlying tension and racial hostility. For Joe Trevino (Julian Works), a young Latino man prone to mischief, the streets are a perilous landscape where any misstep could lead to grave consequences. When a violent encounter with three white boys almost turns deadly, he is saved just in time by his friends—Felipe Romero (Miguel Angel Garcia), Mario Lomas (Christian Gallegos), Gene Vasquez (Gregory Diaz IV), and Lupe Felan (José Julián).

Meanwhile, JB Peña (Jay Hernandez), a high school superintendent and former Marine, is fraught with anxiety as he prepares for an important meeting with the Del Rio Country Club’s president, Mr. Glenn (Richard Robichaux). His wife, Lucy Peña (Jaina Lee Ortiz), tries to ground him, but it’s evident there’s more troubling JB than just the impending meeting.

As Joe and his friends work as caddies for the country club’s elite members, including Judge Milton Cox (Brett Cullen), they grapple with a complex hierarchy and rampant racism. When Joe receives a commendation for his diligence and is handed a generous tip, the unfairness of how he’s treated compared to his friends becomes painfully clear.

In a moment of rebellion, Joe defiantly urinates on Judge Cox’s prized car, garnering a knowing nod from the groundskeeper, Pollo (Cheech Marin). This act of resistance speaks volumes in an environment laden with conformity and discrimination.

As the sun sets, Joe and his crew escape to their sanctuary, El Llanito, where they find peace in hitting golf balls across the expansive range. But just as Joe takes a wild swing, one wayward shot shatters JB’s car window. The country club president dismisses JB’s passionate request to join the exclusive club, asserting that the other members would be uncomfortable with a Mexican member.

Devastated, JB returns home, hurling golf balls into the night—a cathartic release of his despair and disappointment in the face of societal prejudice that defines life in Del Rio. As Joe struggles in front of Daniella Torres (Paulina Chávez), he attempts to impart wisdom but instead ends up petrified.

JB’s conflict with Principal Guerra (Oscar Nuñez), who advocates for a militaristic approach to discipline, deepens. JB respectfully challenges Guerra’s ethos, embodying a growing discomfort with oppressive systems. When he catches the boys from the driving range summoned to Guerra’s office, his curiosity about their talent blossoms. Eventually, Joe fesses up about the broken window, and JB decides to let the boys off with a warning.

JB later meets the group at El Llanito to propose an offer: in exchange for repairing his window, the boys will help him rejuvenate the high school golf team. Most of them are eager to accept, though Joe’s reluctance signals his inner turmoil. After discussing his vision with his father, Adelio (Jimmy Gonzales), he encounters skepticism, but his passion for the game begins to steal the show.

Inviting Frank Mitchell (Dennis Quaid) and his wife Gayle (Gillian Vigman) for dinner, JB shares how golf intersects with his life, and he eagerly enlists Frank as an assistant coach, persuading him to help access the club’s course on closed Mondays.

JB ultimately confronts Joe about his reluctance, challenging him to think about his future. After a visit to El Llanito reveals the boys have fashioned an impressive makeshift golf course, Frank commits to coaching, recognizing their potential.

As Joe speaks with Pollo on the golf team, the latter ignites his enthusiasm, leading to rigorous training sessions. However, Joe feels suffocated by JB’s rules on presentation and etiquette, which includes wearing proper attire and speaking English only on the course. Practicing becomes their daily ritual, regardless of the weather, and they start to form a true team.

One fortuitous night, Pollo finds them practicing and gifts them with a trove of old golf gear and clothes. Their debut in a championship, however, confronts them with a white-dominated crowd, particularly a displeased Judge Cox who publicly scorns their participation. Disheartened yet driven, the boys’ sportsmanship catches the eyes of the organizers, ensuring another invitation for future competitions.

Tragedy strikes when they celebrate at a diner only to encounter blatant racism, igniting Joe’s frustration. An impulsive act leads to shattered windows, further complicating their lives. JB, concerned about retaliation against future generations, chastises Joe for his aggression.

After Joe finds himself featured in the local news, his past prowess draws unwanted attention. As whispers of their talent circulate, a barbecue leads to light-hearted harassment of Adelio, who is dubbed “the proud father of a dandy.” In this instance, Joe seeks comfort in Daniella as they voice dreams of escaping their stifling circumstances.

As Frank devises a scheme to invite JB and Lucy for a round of golf with influential community members, discomfort unfolds when Judge Cox expresses disapproval of playing with JB. Frank cheekily alters the stakes of their match, turning it into a contest for golf clubs, illustrating the overt tensions. After an awkward game, Lucy openly shares her feelings of isolation, revealing layers to JB’s challenges.

The boys, while fervently honing their golf skills, imbibe aspirations of joining the military to gain respect, a dream questioned by Frank, who encourages broader horizons. As competition intensifies, Joe and Daniella’s romance flourishes during a school dance, but rival Tim Cox’s petty sabotage threatens to shatter their efforts as he maliciously ruins the golf course, triggering Joe’s tumultuous disqualification.

In a surprising twist, Gene participates as the alternate, vaulting them forward to the state championship. Meanwhile, an escapade across the border reveals cultural identity crises as locals challenge their authenticity, igniting conflicts that force their hasty retreat.

As personal tribulations mount, Joe proposes to Daniella that they start their lives together after graduating. However, her acceptance into an esteemed writing program in Austin evokes jealousy, culminating in an emotional rift between them.

As the state championship nears, tensions heighten, with Joe confronted by his past misdeeds that link back to vandalism at the diner—the same incident that puts him in threatening waters with Judge Wilcox. Faced with a momentous choice and JB’s selfless declaration of guilt leading to a brief arrest, JB’s release comes through connections in law enforcement, thanks to Principal Guerra’s support.

Rejuvenated with a sense of purpose birthed from his imprisonment, JB returns to deliver a heartfelt message to his team: “Be yourselves, no matter what others may say.” Emphasizing the importance of authenticity, he encourages them through the rain-soaked course.

As they enter the crucial hole in first place, Joe faces the born-thrill of competition, but complications arise when Tim tries to bait him into a disqualification trap. Remaining composed, Joe aces the final shot, leading them to triumph despite the underlying hostility.

Ultimately, their victory, however unrecognized, transcends mere trophies, creating ripples within their small community. The boys stride proudly through the country club, leaving a notable mark on both its staff and privileged members. Their sympathetic return is greeted by enthusiastic support from Lucy, Principal Guerra, Pollo, and a subtly approving Adelio, validating their journey.

Finally, Joe reaches out to JB to express he can’t join their upcoming tee time, choosing instead to visit Daniella in Austin. With this decision, he embraces a fresh potential for healing and growth while embarking on a new chapter of life’s journey, unified yet transformed by their shared experiences.

Last Updated: November 17, 2024 at 13:26