El juego perfecto

This is a very uplifting and inspiring film, with many moments that will make you cheer, laugh, and yes, tear up. Most of the acting performances are forgettable, but some of the kids are often cute and genuinely funny.

The fact that this movie tells a true story is the best thing about it. But, it's a shame that one of the greatest moments in all of sports history had to be watered down with so many hackneyed sports-movie tropes and downright maudlin scenes. And the depiction of Little League play, even for 1957, is laughably unrealistic. The fact is that players of that age, and at that world championship level, are far, far more talented than the often clumsy and awkward playing depicted in this movie.

However, don't let any of the negatives dissuade you from seeing this family friendly account of a truly amazing event that really happened.

If you liked movies like The Blind Side, Hoosiers or League of Their Own then you will like this movie. Quick description, this movie is a based on the true story of a little league baseball team from Monterey Mexico that came to the USA to play in the little league tournament. The movie is set in 1957 when prejudice was healthy in America. I am pleased to say that they did not overdo the part of the struggle. These boys were underdogs in every sense of the definition; they were poor, smaller and foreign. This is a powerful beautiful movie of the power of children's love for the game and their desire to overcome obstacles. I do not want to give too much of the story away, but I will touch on a few points. The movies color, lighting and sets are very well done for a very low budget film, which is not easy to recreate 1957 Mexico and America. I really liked the actors and their roles, Cheech Marin put a nice zip in being a priest and Clifton Collins is a great little known actor as the coach. There were a lot of great actors in smaller parts David Koechner, Frances Fisher, Emilie DeRavin, John Cothran, Tracy Walter and it was really nice to see Louis Gossett Jr again. I was a little disappointed that the child actors were not Mexican decent, mainly because the accents were way off. Other than that there were only minimal complaints of over acting, clichés and tempo, that did NOT rob from the spirit of the movie. Fantastic movie, that is more than a movie, for anyone who has ever been an underdog.

The film The Perfect Game is a great story of the underdog defeating adversity at home and in public. This young team of Mexicans band together against all odds to form a Little League team in Monterey to be entered into the 1957 competition against the powerhouses of 12-year old baseball Americans. Not only must they overcome a novice at best skill at the game—helped enormously by their ex-Major League towel boy turned coach—but also the bigotry and racism of a segregated America not yet ready to see foreigners from below the southern border hand their precious kids a lesson in humility. Standing on its own, the story is quite the tale and intriguing at every turn. However, this is not a book, it is a visual medium and in that respect doesn't live up to the quality of its plot. A made-for-TV movie at best, this film is very heavy-handed and way too feel-good for anyone with a brain hoping to find something that may stimulate a cell up there in his skull. Laughable in its saccharine drenched contrivances and score's orchestral swells just begging to elicit sentimental tears, the Lifetime movie of the week quality definitely distracted this viewer, one who was intent on learning a story and seeing it all play out, not just to watch close-ups of pouting boys and cheesy smiles.

Don't get me wrong, people looking for the uplifting story of success, when no one gave them a chance, will be very pleased. The amount of applause DURING the screening proves that point as viewers definitely get invested in these types of tales. For me, however, I need a little more, some real stakes that at times showed face—the coach's drunken misstep that risks deporting them all due to expired visas—but mostly just bridge us to the next heartfelt moment. Stereotypes and clichés abound leading me to tell you all to make sure you check your mind at the door; it will not be needed. I don't want to fault any of the acting, except of course Emilie de Ravin's atrocious accent that made me want to wring her neck, because it isn't bad considering the script and material. Clifton Collins Jr. is a favorite of mine and while at times is very out of his element playing off of a troupe of children, brings some of his standard brood and contemplative thinking. Used to playing psychotics, whether extreme as in Rules of Attraction or introverted as in Capote, casting him as the coach finding his heart again is a bold choice. For the most part it is a gamble that pays off.

As for the rest of the cast, I was completely thrown off by the amount of familiar faces being that I truly had not even heard of the film before being given the preview pass. Stalwarts like Bruce McGill, John Cothran Jr., Frances Fisher, and Chris Mulkey all make appearances alongside Louis Gossett Jr., (talk about a blast from the past). Even David Koechner reins in his annoyance for a decent cameo that brings a couple laughs. However, the kids definitely become the heart of the tale. Head-shaking for the fact that "Heroes" star Hayden Panettiere's younger brother Jansen is playing a Mexican aside, the kids are very cute and fun to spend time with. You have your common traits for each to overcome and be friends despite of them, as well as the father/son dynamic needed to bring the heavy emotion. Unfortunately the chasm between Papa Macias and his last living son is so huge and so front and center, the inevitable reconciliation is so obvious that it loses all impact it might have had.

A warning must be said as well concerning the make-up of the film. Yes, there are many montages and time lapses to save time, however, you experience a ton of baseball. Whether an inning or abridged games in their entirety, director William Dear shows a little piece of each stop to the championship. The cuts are quick and often, so I wouldn't be surprised if much of the actual baseball action was faked, but they do their job to portray what was being done. A family film from start to finish, I was the least bit surprised to find that Dear also helmed Angels in the Outfield. More life-affirming tale then sports flick, don't be afraid to take your young ones to a movie even though it stars Cheech Marin. Long gone are his Cheech and Chong days, playing the priest that starts the seed of baseball in the small Mexican town, Marin brings some subtle chuckles, but mostly plays the rock opposite Collins Jr.'s conflicted hero. Never surprising at any moment, The Perfect Game may not be brilliance at the movies, but for what it is, you could do much worse than partake in a courageous true story while sitting through the candy-coated exuberance of it all.

The movie has a nice plot, and any intense baseball fan will love the history of the story (I'm a huge baseball fan, yet I had never heard of the 1957 Little League Champions before I watched this film). The acting is OK; the visuals are nice. The only criticism I have is that the movie gets way too sappy and syrupy at times.

This dramatization of the 1957 World Little League Champions is just a terrific watch - sure, it is a little clichéd in places - but what sports movie isn't, but it has the same vibe as The Mighty Ducks and The Bad News Bears except that is based on a true story.

All in all, baseball films are nearly always good to watch, and this is no exception - the team is fun, the story is built well, the film is nicely edited, you get a ton of baseball, and the moral compass is firmly fixed to good throughout.

One of the better sports films for kids - and adults - and one that deserves a wide audience.