The Long Game

When you look at the big picture, at stories like the breakthrough of the San Felipe Mustangs, films like The Long Game become treasured archives. Noble missions. A reason to watch.

Winner of an audience award at the 2023 SXSW film fest, “The Long Game” is an utterly predictable yet thoroughly engaging period drama.

Appealingly told with sincerity and taste.

While a more ambitious film might have used its tropes to leverage this tale into a richer account of Latino assimilation, this one is simply content to let its characters win on somebody else’s terms.

[The Long Game] transcends its clichés by being true to its characters and artistic in its approach.

Could have used more topspin, but a winning round nonetheless.

There is no salvation, only the opening of a door and the determination of a group of boys to go through. [Full review in Spanish]

"The Long Game” demonstrates in satisfying ways how nothing in life can stop individuals who have spent time practicing how to get out of bunkers.

Directed and co-written by Julio Quintana, The Long Game exploits easy sentimentality to gain political advantage.

Jay Hernandez is fantastic as a coach who won't give up on these boys [his players] and tries to lead them into a brighter future. It's a heartwarming, true story of underdogs and how they come together to overcome adversity.