Michael's Movie Grade: B-
A good but very familiar feel-good sports drama.
This film tells the story of the first Mexican American High School golf team. While the story is told in a very conventional but effective way. Like all underdog sports movies the most important element is that we must root for this team to win. That is exactly what happens here. Part of this comes from the stakes against these characters and scenes where they are very mistreated simply because they are Mexican. We want them to prove to everyone who ever mistreated them that they deserve respect. Part of the reason we root for these characters is because they are likable characters. They may not be complex, but they are easy to like and relate to. The same can be said for their coaches as well. This movie also takes an intelligent look at the sheer stupidity of racism in a way that easily speaks to us but is never preachy. There are also plenty of moments here, which are great crowd pleasers (I wish there was somebody else in the theater with me). They may be clichéd, but these moments are also tried and true and they work.
This film does have some problems though. For instance, it is too reliant on the formula for these types of movies. The subplots involving the romance and the father who doesn't believe in his son feel incredibly rushed and by the numbers. Neither of these subplots are given time to be fully formed here but simply have to be here because they are conventions for these types of movies. Another fault is that most of the boys on the teams are much too similar to each other and their personalities seem to run together.
While not a great movie, this is still a delightful film that genre fans should enjoy.
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