the short game movie review

The Short Game: Where Are The Golfers Now?

Documenting the triumphs and challenges of young athletes, ‘The Short Game’ revolves around young golfers aged 7-8 as they compete in the U.S. Kids Golf World Championship. Directed by Josh Greenbaum, the sports documentary features the astounding and inspiring journey of young athletes whose tenacity allows them to face the challenge with relative ease. Despite its competitive tones, it is rife with the humorous levity of young children. Released in 2013, fans have been curious about the players’ whereabouts almost a decade later.

Amari Avery is Continuing Her Golfing Glory

Amari, the eight-year-old prodigy, had begun her career before appearing in the documentary. She was on the path to glory after winning the junior world championship at age 6. Years later, the young athlete had exponentiated her professional growth manifold. She played at Augusta National and headed the United States Team for the Junior Solheim Cup as Captain.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by ♡ Amari Avery ♡ (@amari_avery)

When she’s not engrossed in the field, Amari likes to spend time with her parents, Andre and Maria, to whom she credits her success. One of four siblings, she is entering adulthood and hopes to explore everything life offers. At 18, the California-based golfer is popularly called the next Tiger Woods. Naturally, big things await the USC student.

Jed Dy Enhancing Athletic Potential Amid Challenge

Despite losing out the top spot to Amari, the Philippines national has continued to enhance his potential as an athlete. Jed is on the autism spectrum but continues to embrace all challenges. He played the Low Amateur Honors and qualified for the South East Asian Games. With more than 100 tournament winnings, Jed had even committed to getting signed by George Washington University, a tier 1 school that plays in the Atlantic 10 Conference. He graduated from International School Manila in the fall of 2022 and has since enjoyed new opportunities and challenges.

Allan Kournikova is Maintaining His Reign in Sports Now

Another young star who occupied a pivotal role in the 2012 U.S. Kids Golf World Championship was Allan Kournikova. Since then, the athlete has continued to reign as a gifted sportsman. He won the U.S. Kids Golf European Championship from 2011 to 2015 and earned the title of World Champion more than three times. Based in South Florida, the 18-year-old is the half-brother of former professional tennis player Anna Kournikova.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Allan Kournikova (@allankournikova)

Allan’s family was embroiled in a controversy in 2010 when he jumped from the window of a second floor after his mother, Alla Kournikova, went to run errands, leaving him alone. The star’s mother was charged with a third-degree felony for child neglect.

 Zamokuhle “Zama” Nxasana is Leading a Private Life Now

Based in Johannesburg, Zama was ranked eighth in the world when he competed in the U.S. Kids Golf World Championship. While the 18-year-old is no longer present under the limelight and likes to remain tight-lipped about his personal and professional matters, it is apparent that he’s still advancing in different aspects of life and continuing to relish the sport.

Alexa Pano is Enjoying Family Time Today

At 18, Alexa isn’t just a teen-golf sensation but also an emerging name in the sport. Despite foregoing college, she has competed in the LPGA of Japan Tour event. Based in Florida, the golfer has appeared at Augusta National in the Drive, Chip, and Putt and represented the U.S. in Junior Ryder Cup and Solheim Cup. Moreover, Alexa has competed in the U.S. Women’s Opens as an amateur player and has won the U.S. Kids Golf World Championships five times. When she isn’t practicing and perfecting her form, she likes to spend time with her family and friends.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by alexa (@alexampano)

Sky Sudberry is Pursuing Growth and Success at Texas A&M

Having placed eight in her category due to her small size, Sky hasn’t looked back and remains steadfast on the path to growth and success. After committing to Texas A&M University in 2021, the golfer enrolled in the university following graduation. In addition, the Woodlands athlete has competed in the 2022 Texas Cup and U.S. Girls Junior Championship in Maryland. An avid traveler, Sky loves spending time with her friends and family and looks forward to exploring new experiences in college.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sky Sudberry (@skysudberry)

Augustin Valery is Exploring New Avenues Beyond Golf

While his slight stature led to humorous exchanges between him and Zama, the young golfer has now renounced the public eye. Even though Augustin is no longer pursuing the sport as an athlete in training, he has continued his association with golf by serving as a Trainee at the French Golf Federation. Having graduated from École Diagonale, Paris, in 2021, he is currently enrolled at the University of Panthéon-Assas University Paris II, where he’s studying Law and Political Science. Besides, Augustin is a Trading and Web3 Project Launch Advisor. Based in Paris, he continues enjoying life with his loved ones.

Yang Kuang is Advancing in Golf and Academics

Hailing from Shenzhen, China, Yang Kuang discovered a penchant for golf after watching an instructional video as a child. Since then, the 18-year-old has become the second youngest player in history to be selected for the European Tour Event. With countless wins, Yang is the recipient of the Volvo China Junior Match Play Championship trophy. The golfer has committed to studying at the University of Maryland. Crediting his success to his parents and teacher, Yang also loves spending time with his family and close ones.

Read More: Best Golf Movies

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The Short Game Reviews

There's no need to highlight the maturity level of the kids involved when they do it for themselves through the interviews Greenbaum collects and the array of wonderful, small moments that he captures.

Full Review | Dec 4, 2018

You don't need to like golf to like -- perhaps even to love -- The Short Game.

Full Review | Feb 7, 2014

One thing the documentary reveals is how much work goes into being at the top.

Full Review | Dec 12, 2013

There is little heavy lifting here but a whole lot of fun to be had.

Full Review | Original Score: 6.5/10 | Oct 4, 2013

While a cast of characters this large could easily hinder a doc's focus, it works perfectly in The Short Game to give both a global view and to show how sports can be a Zen-like calling at any age.

Full Review | Sep 25, 2013

[The Short Game] finds the most entertaining angle on one of the world's dullest sports.

Fabulous, kid-friendly docu about world's youngest golfers.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Sep 20, 2013

Depending on your tolerance for cute kids saying the darndest things, you'll either want to tee up or get teed off at 'The Short Game.'

Full Review | Original Score: B- | Sep 20, 2013

On a cuteness scale -- where 10 is a fuzzy kitten yawning in a hammock -- the chattily uninhibited 7- and 8-year-old golfers of The Short Game score high.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Sep 19, 2013

This window into the world of youthful competition almost entirely disposes of social awareness in favor of routine drama.

Full Review | Original Score: 1.5/4 | Sep 19, 2013

Like its half-pint stars, The Short Game stands on the cusp of brilliance.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/4 | Sep 19, 2013

What Greenbaum captures is compelling, and occasionally uncomfortable to watch.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/4 | Sep 19, 2013

This less-than-illuminating work resembles the spelling-bee doc "Spellbound," only with a promise of high-end endorsements and far more pampering.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Sep 19, 2013

Offers a warts-and-all portrait of these pint-sized athletes and their parents as they tee off on the global stage.

Wonderfully entertaining, technically perfect documentary about kids gone wild on the green.

Full Review | Sep 19, 2013

Fortunately, the kids' personalities rescue The Short Game from a cinematic bogey.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4 | Sep 19, 2013

It could be argued that the kids are having fun and are picking up valuable life lessons, but The Short Game seems incapable of coming to any other conclusion.

The film works not just because it makes golf enjoyable to watch, but also because, by the end, you get to know these kids.

Full Review | Sep 17, 2013

A snappy and crowd-pleasing documentary about eight players in the World Golf Championships for children 8 and under.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Sep 12, 2013

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The short game: film review.

Eight pint-size golfers compete to become world champions in Pinehurst, North Carolina.

By THR Staff

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A technically polished but mostly unmoving example of a genre (the watch-kids-do-something-hard doc) assumed to be inherently charming, Josh Greenbaum ‘s The Short Game introduces us to eight children who travel to Pinehurst, North Carolina, to compete in the World Championship of Junior Golf. Lacking much drama for those who aren’t pretty ardent fans of the sport, and finding characters who are only mildly interesting compared to some we’ve met in similar films, the doc has limited commercial prospects and completely lacks the sociopolitical content that has led fest audiences to champion some scrappier child-centric docs.

Moviegoers inclined to believe the documentary world has relied too heavily on this kids-plus-dreams-equals-crowdpleaser formula will find further evidence of exploitation here, as a number of this film’s subjects have parents pushy enough to be granted honorary membership in the sorority of stage moms. One father has been telling his daughter “You’re the best golfer in the world” since she was 3 years old. What he might describe as positive visualization, many others would call brainwashing. A mother, taking her son to task between holes for his unspectacular performance, makes him cry. A single dad, from what we see, appears to have no reason to live beyond his daughter’s swing.

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Not all the kids here are saddled with suffocating or achievement-obsessed parents. Zana, a chubby and cheerful 8-year-old from Johannesburg, appears to be well adjusted; Jed, from Manila, seems to use success on the green as a means of balancing autism’s tendency to make him an outcast. But Allan, a shaggy blond with dollar signs in his eyes who imagines building a golf resort that’s “a huge facility … gonna be marble …” sounds like he’s chosen Donald Trump (whose face adorns his bottled water) as a role model.

After introducing the cast of characters, Greenbaum settles into observing the three-day tournament. Though fortunes rise and fall during the film’s second half (a sportscaster-like narrator chronicles the players’ shifting rankings), sporting drama is pretty sparse here; viewers will be left to focus on how parents help their kids deal with the stress or, as they often do, add to it. “There is no Plan B,” says one dad who imagines nothing less than global superstardom for his child; the film offers no clue whether it thinks this is a parenting strategy worth endorsing.

Production Company: Delirio Films Director: Josh Greenbaum Producers: Josh Greenbaum, Rafael Marmor, Christopher Leggett Executive producers: Jessica Biel , Justin Timberlake , Timm Oberwelland, John Battsek, David Frankel Music: Mark Mothersbaugh Editor: Billy McMillin PG, 100 minutes

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SXSW Review: ‘The Short Game’

By Peter Debruge

Peter Debruge

Chief Film Critic

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Finding the most entertaining angle on one of the world’s dullest sports, “ The Short Game ” has built-in word-of-mouth that should help it break out of the docu sandtrap and roll down the fairway. The eight golf champs featured in this “Spellbound”-style saga are among the most competitive on the planet. They practice constantly, run circles around Tiger Woods ’ records, have won hundreds of trophies — and on the rare occasion when they miss a shot, you just want to pinch their cheeks. That’s because they’re all 7 years old and set to compete in the World Championships of Junior Golf.

Every time the mini golfers in Josh Greenbaum ’s feature debut open their mouths, these inadvertently hilarious kids say the darndest things, reminding us they’re too young to remember life before the invention of Wii Sports — and too focused on the real game to have fun doing much of anything else. But these eight kids aren’t just prodigies ; they’re entertaining characters in their own right, some of whom just might wind up on the pro tour in a decade or so.

Allan Kournikova, kid brother of tennis star Anna, collects trophies the way children before him hoarded baseball cards and Beanie Babies. “They’re just so shiny,” he beams. “And they’re good art.” As he fumbles with “the ancient medal” his big sis won in the Olympics, Allan doesn’t seem very coordinated. But on the green, he can control the ball better than anyone his age, returning this year to defend his Junior Golf title. Personality-wise, he’s the right subject to start with, spouting weird words to live by like a young Donald Trump.

If Kournikova sounds spoiled, just wait’ll you meet Augustin Valery, the androgynous-looking grandson of French poet Paul Valery. Dressed like a character out of a Wes Anderson movie, the kid could probably stand to experience a crushing defeat to toughen up his character. Other contestants come from as far as South Africa and the Philippines, as well as from less privileged corners of America, and they represent a good balance of girls and boys. Among them, Amari Avery’s middle-class black-and-Asian background feeds her dreams of following in Woods’ footsteps (and earns her the nickname “Tigress”).

Part of the kids’ charm comes from the unfiltered way they seem to speak their minds oncamera, though it’s clear Greenbaum is giving his young subjects a fair amount of direction, as are their parents — or “daddy caddies,” as the most vocal among them are called. The choicest moments feel the most unrehearsed, as when overachiever Alexa Pano compares a huge, triangle-shaped award to a slice of pineapple and sausage pizza — or, better, when she and Kournikova blush while talking about their budding relationship. Less convincing, though effective all the same, are moments in which the crew’s presence clearly influences the result, like the scene where Alexa practices through a heavy rainstorm, cameras rolling the whole time.

With 14 different lensers credited, the film clearly involved formidable logistics in order to track these kids in the months leading up to the competition at the tony Pinehurst, N.C., Country Club — a task that meant dispatching crews to five different countries, not counting wherever they shot supplemental interviews with old pros like Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player. That enormous effort pays off, yielding more than enough footage to capture the kids’ adorable personalities before they all converge on Pinehurst as rivals.

The final stretch is standard sports-movie stuff, though editor Billy McMillin makes it easy to follow the progress (assisted by voiceover from an eager announcer) while maintaining tension, thanks to how cleanly the pic establishes each of the kids’ personal stakes. Perhaps the most surprising thing about “The Short Game” is discovering how contagious their commitment is. And with a sport like golf, those that don’t win needn’t worry. They have another 70 or so years to keep trying.

The Short Game

(Documentary)

Reviewed at SXSW Film Festival , March 11, 2013. Running time: 99 MIN.

A Delirio Films presentation produced in association with Passion Pictures. (International sales: Submarine Entertainment , New York.) Produced by Rafael Marmor, Christopher Leggett, Josh Greenbaum. Executive producers, Timm Oberwelland, John Battsek , David Frankel.

Directed by Josh Greenbaum. Camera (color, HD), John Aguirre, Benoit Chamaillard, Michael Dwyer, Jim Fabio, Philipp Friesenbichler, James Hammond, Wolfgang Held, Nick Higgins, Andrew Lang, Jose Tony Molina, Gavin Northover, Chase Rees, Jean Bernard Rutagarama, Jay Visit; editor, Billy McMillin; music, Mark Mothersbaugh; sound, Ian Boyd, Thomas Doolittle, Christopher Howland, Scott Johnson, Marcus Ricaud, Frank Scibella, Rob Smith, Christopher Trueman; supervising sound editor, Dror Mohar; re-recording mixer, Tim Hoogenakker; visual effects, PIC Agency.

With: Amari Avery, Alexa Pano, Allan Kournikova, Sky Sudberry, Zamokuhle Nxasana, Augustin Valery, Jed Dy , Yang Kuan, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Annika Sorenstam, Juan “Chi-Chi” Rodriguez.

(English, Chinese, French dialogue)

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Circle of Cinema

By Vijay Varman

Review: The Short Game (2013) – A Look at The Little People of Golf

How much had you achieved by the time you were seven years old?

Maybe you successfully learned some of the easier times-tables? Or managed to ride your bike without training wheels? Or maybe you once scored a goal from the half-way line and invoked the admiration of the playground?

Well, some of the golf-loving kids in this film have won over 100 competitions and are ranked as some of the best child golf players in the world.

Feel inadequate yet?

Starting about six months before the beginning of the 2012 U.S. Kids Golf World Championship, The Short Game follows eight 7 year old kids from five countries around the world.

Their goal? To take their years of training and reach the culmination of their (lifelong?) journey to become crowned the best golfer in the world.

Rivaling only cricket as one of the world’s most boring sports, golf is not an activity that I would ever find myself playing or watching. And yet, director Josh Greenbaum (in his debut feature film) finds a new angle by showing us this world through the eyes of our children.

Interestingly, the film is far more diverse than you might expect as, of its eight colourful characters, it chooses to only follow one American male:  Allan Kournikova , the half-brother of tennis champion Anna Kournikova.

Elsewhere from America we meet:  Alexa Pano , from the sunny state of Florida;  Sky Sudberry , the fluffy-rabbit owning girl from Texas; and  Amari Avery , the Tiger Woods loving player that has earned the nickname “Tigeress.”

And from around the world we get to see the struggles of  Yang Kuang (China),  Zamokuhle Nxasana  (South Africa),  Jed Dy  (Phillipines) and  Augustin Valery (France).

Refreshingly, the film isn’t actually about pushy parents trying to force their children into the limelight. Instead most of the drive seems to arise from the children’s pure passion for the sport. What exactly they see in it, I have no idea. But the zeal they all possess is admirable.

If anything, there are moments where it completely escapes your mind that it is in fact children performing with such prodigious skills. But as soon as one of them giggles at a fart joke or cuddles up to a teddy bear, you’re reminded of their charming innocence.

While the documentary is fairly light in tone, there are moments where you wish it could have further explored the social and economic challenges these children’s families have to face. If anything, The Short Game is not necessarily a portrayal of how hard work can get you to the top; but also how lifestyle, wealth and privilege can drastically affect your chances. Because of this, the film does occasionally leave a bad taste in the mouth as we watch the golfers from poorer countries try to compete with rivals far more financially solvent than they are.

Even if you were to ignore such financial disparities, it’s also a disappointment the film chooses not to do a deep dive into the darker aspects that would surround such a stressful undertaking. While it does pay a minuscule amount of attention; such as when we hear a father state this tournament is his daughter’s only chance for college; or when a parent mentions the use of a sports psychologist; it’s still far too little for what should be an otherwise fascinating topic.

The Short Game is undoubtedly a lovely feel-good documentary concerning the trials and tribulations that some kids must undertake to be the best in the world.

While it’s not unreasonable for a documentary to take a side; it’s still regretful that the film’s 100 minutes barely scratches the surface of the child golfing industry by focusing exclusively on the warm-hearted moments. A stronger focus on the more strenuous aspects of these child endeavors would have easily elevated this film into award-winning territory.

Overall Score:

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The Short Game (2013)

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Each year, the world’s best 7 year-old golfers descend on Pinehurst, North Carolina to compete in the World Championships of Junior Golf. The Short Game follows eight of these very young athletes on their quest to become the sport’s next phenom.

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Filming begins for Sherman based film, “The Short Game”

SHERMAN, Texas (KXII) - Action! Filming for the Sherman-based movie, “The Short Game”, has begun.

On Wednesday, the Legacy Ridge Country Club in Bonham turned its golf course into a movie set.

“The Short Game” is a truly local story about the reconciliation of two brothers from Sherman. One is aiming to land a golf scholarship, and the other is autistic. Along the way, they learn they’re better together.

Executive Director, Dan Hegel, said the film is full of great lessons on family, friends and faith.

“Everyone has a story to tell and the more we learn about each other’s struggles in life, I think the better for everyone,” Hegel said.

While filming is ahead of schedule, it was delayed one week because of the SAG AFRTRA strike. Hollywood actors and writers are asking for better pay and protection from streaming and artificial intelligence.

The strike is ongoing, but Co-Executive Producer, Joren Christensen, said production was able to start because of a Screen Actors Guild exemption.

“We got our exemption based upon the fact that we’re in independent film and that we did not yet have distribution,” Christensen said.

Filming will take a total of 21 days. When production wraps at the golf course, crews will move to different locations around Sherman.

No decision on when or where the film have its premiere, but Texomas are encouraged to be on the lookout for “The Short Game” movie.

Copyright 2023 KXII. All rights reserved.

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THE SHORT GAME

A frank sanza film.

Logline Jeremy Avery is vying for a college golf scholarship, but his preparation and game are affected by family pressures related to his younger autistic brother Ethan. Jeremy’s path leads him on a journey of discovery both internal and of his brother’s savant like gifts, that if embraced can create an unstoppable pair.

Script the short game , conceived by frank sanza, written by frank sanza, larry boatright, and e. joren christensen, with screenplay by frank sanza, is a fictional parable based on frank's own life as a high school golfer, and the experiences, pressures, and expectations that accompanied his athletic gifts.  telling this story through a relationship with an autistic child is a reflection of frank’s current life as the adoring father of a high-functioning autistic son and his desire to bring awareness to the talents of such children. in these difficult times, a story of hope, values, redemption, faith, and family is needed more than ever.  this timeless story is also the perfect inspirational tale for any season of life. .

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The long game, common sense media reviewers.

Inspiring real-life story has racial slurs, mild violence.

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Offers a glimpse into the recent history of the se

Everyone should have the same opportunities and no

Characters experience emotional growth, including

The story is about a team of Mexican American teen

A character gets a small cut on his face after a g

One boy tells another that his nipples are showing

Language includes "bulls--t," "suck it up," "s--t,

Adults drink beer socially. One character drinks f

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…

Educational Value

Offers a glimpse into the recent history of the segregation of Latinos in the United States.

Positive Messages

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

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

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.

Did we miss something on diversity? Suggest an update.

Violence & Scariness

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.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

Sex, Romance & Nudity

One boy tells another that his nipples are showing. A married couple kisses, 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.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.

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").

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

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.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.

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 .

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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 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.

Is It Any Good?

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 faced 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?

How do the characters in The Long Game demonstrate empathy , humility , integrity , and perseverance ? Why are those important character strengths ?

Movie Details

• In theaters : April 12, 2024
• Cast : Dennis Quaid , Jay Hernandez , Cheech Marin , Paulina Chávez
• Director : Julio Quintana
• Inclusion Information : Latino actors, Female actors
• Studios : Bonniedale , Mucho Mas Media
• Genre : Drama
• Topics : Sports and Martial Arts , Book Characters , Friendship , Great Boy Role Models , High School
• Character Strengths : Courage , Perseverance , Teamwork
• Run time : 106 minutes
• MPAA rating : PG
• MPAA explanation : language, racial slurs, thematic material, some violence and brief rude material
• Award : Common Sense Selection
• Last updated : April 10, 2024

Did we miss something on diversity?

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.

Suggest an Update

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The Long Game

In 1955, five young Mexican-American caddies, out of the love for the game, were determined to learn how to play, so they created their own golf course in the middle of the South Texas deser... Read all In 1955, five young Mexican-American caddies, out of the love for the game, were determined to learn how to play, so they created their own golf course in the middle of the South Texas desert. In 1955, five young Mexican-American caddies, out of the love for the game, were determined to learn how to play, so they created their own golf course in the middle of the South Texas desert.

• Julio Quintana
• Paco Farias
• Humberto G. Garcia
• Dennis Quaid
• Jay Hernandez
• Gillian Vigman
• 2 User reviews
• 9 Critic reviews

• Frank Mitchell

• Gayle Baker

• Joe Trevino

• Daniela Torres

• Alice Glenn

• Eugene Patterson

• Gene Vasquez

• Mario Lomas

• All cast & crew
• Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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Did you know

• Trivia In March of 1921, the Twelfth Calvary Regiment voted to form a country club which became the San Felipe Country Club. The San Felipe Country Club included a nine-hole golf course that is located on the San Felipe Springs. This was the first course built by John Bredemus who went on to design many notable courses such as the Colonial in Fort Worth, TX. In 2016, the City of Del Rio took over the golf course and renamed it to the San Felipe Springs Golf Course.
• How long will The Long Game be? Powered by Alexa
• April 12, 2024 (United States)
• United States
• Colombia (on location)
• Endeavor Content
• Fifth Season
• See more company credits at IMDbPro

Technical specs

• Runtime 1 hour 46 minutes

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Geek Culture | Movies, TV, Comic Books & Video Games

Movie Review – The Long Game (2024)

April 9, 2024 by Robert Kojder

The Long Game , 2024.

Directed by Julio Quintana. Starring Jay Hernandez, Dennis Quaid, Cheech Marin, Julian Works, Jaina Lee Ortiz, Brett Cullen, Oscar Nunez, Paulina Chávez, Gregory Diaz IV, José Julián, Christian Gallegos, Miguel Ángel García, Gillian Vigman, Richard Robichaux, Jimmy Gonzales, Michael Southworth, Mykle McCoslin, Chet Grissom, Boo Arnold, Larry Jack Dotson, Mariana Alvarez, and Heather Kafka.

In a segregated Texas, five Mexican-American teenage caddies were prohibited from playing at the country club where they worked. Against all odds, they formed their own team, built a one-hole course in the fields, and won the 1957 Texas State championship. Based on a true story.

Golf is a significant focus in director Julio Quintana’s period piece, racially-charged sports drama The Long Game . It’s also not the game that the title is referencing. That would be more of a mental game of when to pull ahead and when to play nice with insecure, racist white people that is, sadly, as relevant as it is today than it was in the mid-1950s for the true story of a scrappy Mexican-American high school golf team who went on to win a Texas state championship.

In a time for sports when minorities were either considered a humiliating form of entertainment or thankless help, this complicated reality at least one of the boys, Joe Trevino (Julian Works), is aware of (and has further reinforced unto him by his father) almost prevents him from joining the team entirely. What good could come from trying to compete with white teens on their turf when the rules will be bent and broken to stack the deck against talented minorities, anyway? Yes, these are sports clichés despite being an unfortunate, unfair true-to-life past, but the filmmakers (which includes a screenplay from Paco Farias, Julio Quintana, and Jennifer C. Stetson based on the novel by Humberto G. Garcia) smartly stay focused on these mindsets.

For one, it’s frustrating that there are minorities here who either feel the need or are talked into playing nice with white people and told that further stoking their flames will only provoke more drama and violence. There is a key moment here where a white teenage golfer is practically saying every racist thing imaginable to one of the Mexican-American players, begging to be punched in the face. We want to see it happen, but when that character is told to stand down, not let the nastiness get to him, and let his actions on the course speak for itself, it’s probably the right call for this era even if we still desperately want to see this kid knocked on his ass. In 2024, however, there would be no excuses or reason to let that racial harassment fly, with the consequences for such a scuffle possibly feeling more balanced. Or maybe I’m talking out of my ass, and the world hasn’t changed all that much. Nevertheless, The Long Game succeeds at inciting such conversations.

It is those smaller, thought-provoking political moments that compensate for what is otherwise a straightforward sports movie about an underdog team of likable kids trying to find their footing in life. Even the presence of Dennis Quaid here as war hero Frank Mitchell with connections and a key to allow his former military squad mate turned high school superintendent JB Peña (Jay Hernandez) access to the golf course for the team to practice is wise enough to never stick with his perspective for too long and go down the dreaded white savior path. The character has a thing or two to learn about complicity in prejudiced behavior and some wartime guilt, none of which overwhelms the rest of the experience.

As for JB, his motives initially aren’t entirely pure. At first, he puts together the team as an alternative punishment for giving teenagers community service, following the recognition that they had thwacked a golf ball through his car door windshield while he was on the road. He sees talent in them, but he also sees an opportunity to coach on the same segregated golf course that denied him a country club membership. From there, he bonds with the kids and enters into several discussions on race relations with them, most of which make up the most engaging aspects of the film. Each kid shows some distinct personality, with one romantic subplot, although those personal elements to the narrative here are less satisfying.

The second half of The Long Game leans into the sporting aspect and golf tournament, although there is still a surprising amount of edge for this film that somehow got away with a PG rating despite numerous instances of harsh language and racial slurs. In the best way, it feels like the PG rating of yesteryear, where movies were allowed to be authentic and challenge younger audiences. It’s moving and inspiring in the expected ways, but also a smart examination of race relations for the time that can be traced to today for further analysis, a time where it’s hopefully okay to punch a racist in the face.

Flickering Myth Rating  – Film: ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★

Robert Kojder is a member of the Chicago Film Critics Association and the Critics Choice Association. He is also the Flickering Myth Reviews Editor. Check  here  for new reviews, follow my  Twitter  or  Letterboxd , or email me at [email protected]

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Video Game Reviews of 2024

New York Times critics are examining new horror games and point-and-click adventures, along with remakes of classic titles.

By The New York Times

Playing every video game that is released would be an incredibly time-consuming project. To help you sort through the options (and maybe your backlog), here is an alphabetical list of the games that New York Times critics have written about in 2024.

Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden

The loving bond between the scarified Antea and the tattooed Red is evident — in a tender touch or a cradled face — even as Antea is trapped in the ghost world. Red can choose to bring Antea back to life or to let her pass into infinity. Thankfully, as in any healthy relationship, it’s not Red’s choice alone. The two discuss the morality of the decision, which would require a magic ritual to give Antea energy taken from spirits or the souls of murderous humans.

Read the full review.

Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake

It’s a dangerous journey filled with devious monsters and trauma. But there’s help, too. A friendly troll with a punky mohawk and red-capped mushrooms growing from its back moves the brothers up a mountain by cradling them in its supersize hands. There’s not much fighting here, which adds to the game’s lasting relevance. Vicious battling and the establishing of power is often expected in games, so when deeper thinking is present, it needs to be appreciated. In Brothers, much depends on solving puzzles or luring enemies into areas where they can’t attack you.

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth

The game must constantly remind us that the planet is, indeed, dying. Aerith, though she clearly knows more than she lets on, is cast here as slightly naïve and shortsighted, reacting to what she sees on the surface even though the danger has never been greater. An existential threat looms just over the horizon. Her problem, and ours, is that Square Enix, the studio behind the game, has built a world that really is beautiful, filled with pleasurable diversions.

This five-hour interactive drama with humorous touches is cuts above a Lifetime movie. Long-held family secrets are uncovered by finding dusty letters, yellowed newspaper clippings and a child’s artwork. Teenage Tess does all of the sleuthing; Opal interprets dialogue, offers subjective, parental perspective and provides biographic history. The two are stunned to discover Helen’s passionate letters in addition to hints about bootlegging and a jewelry heist. What was going on in this family?

Pacific Drive

As someone who doesn’t mind getting dirty when installing auto parts, I wanted to enjoy the game. But it is difficult to do so because of the clunky methods of repair. The inventory system is complex, requiring too much searching to find tools. The same goes for a GPS system that’s unintuitive. There are also complex blueprints that make crafting car parts a chore. Ultimately, the item management and crafting make Pacific Drive longer and more difficult but not particularly richer and rewarding.

Far, far away in the vastness of deep space, an ebony spaceship awaits. Inside is a lush, lurid botanical expanse of plants, trees and fungi, species that have never before been seen. Vibrant vegetation sprawls everywhere, through tunnels, crawl spaces and gardens. It’s not simply a bucolic environment. About five hours into Ultros, you realize this heady biome is both a sarcophagus and the place of birth for something dark and unknown.

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