Storyline Based on a true story. In 1957 a rag-tag, shoeless, poor group of kids from Monterrey, Mexico shocked the world by winning 13 games in a row and the Little League World Series in the only perfect game ever pitched in the Championship. These kids, led by their priest and a down-and-out former major leaguer embark on a journey through the southern US and up into Williamsport, PA for the Championship game. They encountered many adversities including nearly being deported and the bigotry that wouldn't allow them into certain restaurants or travel on certain buses. They never lost their faith and eventually captured the hearts of both nations. This is a heart-warming inspirational story in the tradition of "Rudy", "Hoosiers", "Coach Carter" or "Friday Night Lights".
Writers: W. William Winokur, W. William Winokur
Cast: Jake T. Austin
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Angel Macias
Jansen Panettiere
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Enrique Suarez
Moises Arias
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Mario Ontiveros
Ryan Ochoa
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Norberto Villarreal
Gabriel Morales
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Ricardo Trevino
Carlos Padilla
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Baltazar Charles
(as Carlos Padilla Lenero)
Anthony Quinonez
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Fidel Ruiz
Mario Revolori
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Gerado Gonzalez
(as Mario Quinonez Jr.)
Alfredo Rodríguez
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Jose 'Pepe' Maiz
Clifton Collins Jr.
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Cesar Faz
Cheech Marin
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Padre Estaban
Emilie de Ravin
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Frankie Stevens
Bruce McGill
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Mr. Tanner
Patricia Manterola
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Maria
David Koechner
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Mac Thompkins
Trivia:
During the Little League World Series championship game against La Mesa, real Monterrey player Jose "Pepe" Maiz and Angel Macias along with La Mesa Player Joe McKirahan made a cameo scene appearances as fans watching the game.
Goofs:
Anachronisms:
At the final game, the American flag has 50 stars. In 1957 (when the film takes place), Alaska and Hawaii were not yet states. They were granted statehood in 1959.
Quotes: Mario:
The unexpected play... Enrique:
...at the unexpected time.
User Review
They've never seen real grass…The Perfect Game
Rating: 5/10
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.
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