For those of you who are new to chess, or wondering what chess players are like, I recommend the movie Searching for Bobby Fischer. I was talking with some friends last night (hi Tracey and Stan!), and the subject of the movie came up. I told them I would have to blog about it … and I was right! 🙂
The movie is a heart-warming story of the relationship between a father and his precocious son. And if you have any interest in chess, it accurately portrays the feeling of chess as it is played in U.S. parks, clubs, and weekend tournaments.
The movie has a great story and a superb cast: Joe Mantegna, Joan Allen, Ben Kingsley (superb!), Laurence Fishburne, Laura Linney, William H. Macy … it just doesn’t get any better!
And the movie has some real life chess stars in it. Bruce Pandolfini (one of the great chess teachers of our time, played beautifully by Ben Kingsley) and Asa Hoffman are portrayed in the movie, and real-life chess stars Joel Benjamin, Roman Dzindzichashvili, and Kamran Shirazi have a part in the movie (one of the tournament scenes); even Bruce Pandolfini appears in a cameo (I think he even has a line!). 🙂
Though the movie is terrific, the book on which the movie is based is even more wonderful, as it probes the life of the mind of a chess player and the relationship between father and son. I highly recommend the book; it’s even better than the movie. (Check out Searching for Bobby Fischer: The Father of a Prodigy Observes the World of Chess at Amazon. And if you want the movie, click the pic!
Yes, great movie, as we three agreed … now, I’ll have to read the book – thanks for the review, Steve!
Thanks for the comment, Stan. I love the book; let me know how you like it.
I agree with Stan–I am excited to read the book. I have my order in on Amazon. But I didn’t know the movie had so many real chess stars in it–very cool on their part. Am renting it again!
It’s quite interesting.I will look around for more such post.Thanks for sharing.