Movies News Talk
Based on the real narrative of the San Felipe Mustangs golf team, the touching sports drama The Long Game ends triumphally with the team claiming the 1957 Texas State High School Golf Championship. Although the triumph is a major accomplishment, the movie explores issues of prejudice, community, and personal development, so imparting to viewers a strong message of hope and resiliency.
The last scene of the movie makes several allusions to flags, so emphasizing the trip of self-discovery and personal direction of the characters. The coach, Jb Peña, first tells Joe Treviño, one of the Mustangs, life's uncertainties using the comparison of a golf flag. He underlines that negotiating the ups and downs of life depends on having a goal, symbolised by the flag.
Originally disappointed by society expectations and the few possibilities open to him as a Mexican-American, Joe discovers his own flag in his love for Daniela, a girl whose dreams motivate him to stray from predestined directions. This scene represents his acquired self-belief and direction.
Still another important part in the ending is the American flag. The Mustangs celebrate their triumph, and JB, a veteran, at last gets the honor he deserves for his service, so highlighting the need of appreciating the efforts of every veteran, from all walks of life.
Originally intended to help the Mustangs fit into the mostly white golf community, JB's rigorous policies prove to be counterproductive over time. Although the team's uniqueness and self-expression are unintentionally limited by the dress code and ban on Spanish speaking, their goals are acceptance.
JB's challenges fitting in the Del Rio Country Club because of his ethnicity reflect the team's experiences with prejudice. Although he tries to fit in by following others' expectations, he finally understands that real belonging results from embracing one's identity and questioning social mores. JB's path emphasizes the difficulty of negotiating a society rife with discrimination and the search for one's place inside it.
Strong and protective, Joe's father captures the disappointment and frustration of a generation subjected to extreme prejudice. Burning Joe's golf equipment represents his strong conviction that merging into the white society is useless. By choosing a road that is essentially set against him, he worries his son is preparing himself for disappointment and shame.
Although Joe's actions finally impede his development, his intentions are based in love and a wish to protect his son from suffering. But at the end of the movie, Joe's father's point of view changes subtly as he watches the team's victory procession, implying a possible change in his viewpoint. This transformation captures the possibility for generational healing as well as the strength of seeing the success of people who dared to challenge expectations.
The title "The Long Game" reminds me of the strategic aspect of golf, in which players carefully consider every shot with long term planning in mind. Still, the movie broadens the meaning of the title to include the characters' more general hardships and victories.
JB and Lucy's path to parenthood, dotted with difficulties and disappointments, reflects the longer, less traditional road they had to follow. Their narrative highlights the tenacity and fortitude needed to reach objectives that might not be immediately doable. Likewise, the Mustangs, confronting prejudice and social constraints, start a "long game" toward their aspirations, demonstrating that success sometimes calls for more than just ability and will.
The last scene of the movie transcends the triumphant success upon winning the state championship. Emphasizing the value of community, self-acceptance, and challenging society conventions, it explores further the transforming trip of the characters.
JB shows the depth of his team's loyalty and the sacrifices he makes for their welfare by being ready to fall for Joe's actions. Pollo's help in making sure JB shows up at the championship highlights the value of support and the ties that bind people with like experiences. Walking away from a confrontation with his opponent shows Joe's personal development and will to concentrate on his objectives instead of giving in to outside pressure.
The movie finally stresses the need of appreciating one's community, of finding strength in group identity, and of challenging expectations. It reminds viewers that real success results from keeping true to oneself, helping those close by, and confronting social constraints.