Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #31140 in DVD
• Released on: 2003-09-22
• Rating: Parental Guidance
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 105 minutes

Special Features
English
Region 2

Synopsis
Though he's only seven, Josh looks at a chessboard and anticipates moves that mature chess players don't even see. He's a malleable young boy with an incredible talent for the game of masterminds. When Josh begins honing his talent, playing a speedy version of the game called "blitz" with hustlers and hobos, his father decides to take him to world reknowned coach Bruce Pandolfini, who claims Josh may well be the second coming of chess legend Bobby Fischer. But family struggles ensue when the mother worries that in cultivating the genius, they may be hurting the child.

Customer Reviews

Good family film, set in the world of chess
I have the VHS version of this film and have now purchased the DVD. I originally bought it purely because it was about chess. There are not many chess films around (the Luhznin Defense is one), even fewer that feature much playing of chess, and none that will invoke the desire to play chess as much as this one.

However, this is not just a chess movie. Sure, it's based on fact, featuring real names and places, but there is a real family story here too that will appeal to many who lack even a passing interest in the game of chess. The famous (in chess circles anyway) Bruce Pandolfini, author of many chess books, is played by Ben Kingsley. The real Bruce Pandolfini appears in the film, but only fleetingly as a spectator at a game. While Kinglsey portrays the classical chess tutor, Laurence Fishburne (of Matrix fame) brings some spice as a chess 'hustler', playing games of speed chess for cash.

This film brings as much life and excitement to the game as many believe is possible. Let's face it, to the majority of people, chess is a very, very boring proposition. There is reverence of Bobby Fischer throughout the film. Given his current status, following his outbursts on a Minila radio station, this may spoil the film's longevity. Still, if you ignore the Fischer worship, this is a good film. Not spectacular, not riveting, not side-splittingly funny, but good. And that's just what you want every now and then, a film that is good to watch, with good actors, and a good story to boot...

"Then your job is harder"
This movie tells the story of Josh Waitzkin and it is based on the book with the same title written by his father. If you have read the book, you will certainly notice that the adaptation for the movie was flexible and does not really follow he facts, but it sure does make the story more exciting.

The film starts at the time after Bobby Fischer withdrew from the international chess scene and went into seclusion. After winning his title, Fischer had many disagreements with FIDE (International Chess Federation) and did not show up to defend his title against Karpov. As a result, he lost the title and left a huge crowd of fans, that had taken up chess after and American defeated the seemingly invincible Soviets, without a hero to carry their flag.

In this setting we find small Josh Waitzkin (Max Pomeranc), who picks up chess from watching people playing in the park and soon shows his innate ability for the game. His parents soon find themselves in unfamiliar territory and have trouble coping with the requirements and stress even young chess players face. In an effort to help their son cultivate his gift, they contact Bruce Pandolfini, one of the most recognized chess coaches in the US (if you go to a bookstore and look for chess books you will see several written by him).

This is when the search for Bobby Fischer within this child begins, and the journey could not be better. Kingsley, Mantegna and Pomeranc are all very good in their roles and give their characters with the right amount of emotion and passion. But if I had to pick a performance, it would be the one by Laurence Fishburne, who plays a character that will remain imprinted in the memory of all those that watch this movie.

The fact that Pandolfini is presented in a slightly negative light, compared to reality and the modification of the end of the story do not really detract from the overall quality of the production. If you love chess, this movie is a must, but even if you do not, I bet you will really enjoy it.

Healing Paternal Pain
I found this to be a very powerful film which whilst based around chess was even more about family and family values. The heroine of the piece was most certainly Josh's mother who was very clear about her values - she wanted the best for her son and was prepared to sacrifice her marriage to allow Josh to enjoy childhood. Not only does Josh's mother save her son from the rat race associated with chess at such competitive levels but also saves Josh's father and helps him find his true values which is his son's childhood.