The Perfect Game (2009)

Based on a true story, a group of boys from Monterrey, Mexico who became the first non-U.S. team to win the Little League World Series.

Director:

William Dear

Writers:

W. William Winokur, W. William Winokur (book)

Stars:

Clifton Collins Jr., Cheech Marin, Moises Arias

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jake T. Austin	...	Angel Macias
Jansen Panettiere	...	Enrique Suarez
Moises Arias	...	Mario Ontiveros
Ryan Ochoa	...	Norberto Villarreal
Gabriel Morales	...	Ricardo Treviño
Carlos Padilla	...	Baltazar Charles (as Carlos Padilla Lenero)
Tony Revolori	...	Fidel Ruiz (as Anthony Quinonez)
Mario Revolori	...	Gerardo Gonzalez (as Mario Quinonez Jr.)
Alfredo Rodríguez	...	Jose 'Pepe' Maiz (as Alfredo Rodriguez)
Clifton Collins Jr.	...	Cesar Faz
Cheech Marin	...	Padre Esteban
Emilie de Ravin	...	Frankie Stevens
Bruce McGill	...	Mr. Tanner
Patricia Manterola	...	Maria
David Koechner	...	Mac Thompkins

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".

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Plot Keywords:

poor | dirt road | year 1957 | kids | monterrey mexico | 

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Taglines:

Dream for the fences.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Family | Sport

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for some thematic elements

Did You Know?

Trivia

Director William Dear mentioned, at 22:56 in the DVD commentary, that Jake T. Austin (Angel) was only available two or three days a week, since he was also shooting Wizards of Waverly Place (2007), which contributed to the need to shoot the movie in the Los Angeles area. Days when Jake was not on the set, the crew filmed scenes that did not include Angel, or in which Angel could be filmed from his back, allowing for the use of a photo double. Dear mentioned that the scene (27:46 to 30:11) where José "Pepe" Maiz Garcia joined the team as left fielder, and his father provided equipment for the team, is an example where a photo double was used for Angel. From 29:39 to 29:45, as Cesar pulls apart Enrique and Pepe, who were fighting, the double can be seen wearing a striped t-shirt in the background at the left of the frame before ducking behind Carlos Padilla (Baltazar).

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Goofs

When the Monterrey Industrials travel from Corpus Christi to Ft. Worth, a map is shown with Interstate 37 running between Corpus Christi and San Antonio. Construction did not start on I-37 until the 1960s while the movie takes place in 1957.

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Quotes

Frankie Stevens: You know, you say that one more time I will punch you in the nose.
Mac Thompkins: Been a while since I fought a woman.

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Connections

Features Los pequeños gigantes (1960)

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Soundtracks

News Reel
Written by Len Stevens

User Reviews

Wonderful, Inspirational, Film

This is an absolutely wonderful film in every respect. Don't be thrown off by the critics. They are wrong! I went away feeling that this is one of the most enjoyable films that I have ever seen. Wheras it is an excellent "family" film, it will be enjoyed by people of all ages. Bring along a tissue or two. Some of the scenes will bring forth an overwhelming emotional rush of what those boys were able to accomplish. What is so amazing is that the story is actually true. I can't believe that the release had so little publicity and is playing in so few theaters in the US. I saw it by accident. Don't miss it. It is WONDERFUL

Details

Official Sites:

Official distributor's site for the film. [Spain] (Spanish) Official Producer's site for the film. [United States]

Country:

Canada USA Mexico

Language:

English Spanish Latin

Release Date:

16 April 2010 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Perfect Game

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$12,500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$511,698, 18 April 2010

Gross USA:

$1,037,071

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$3,878,993

Company Credits

Production Co:

IndustryWorks Pictures, HighRoad Entertainment, Prelude Pictures

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Black and White (film clips and archive photographs: Los pequeños gigantes [1960]) Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1