Wednesday 3 June 2015

Chess Finally Gets Its Sports Flick.

Oh, it was about time. Watch any movie where two characters play chess and you would realise the game is either used as a metaphor or a way to show how the two characters playing are embroiled in a conflict. Like in the case of Lolita or Blade Runner, the metaphor can even be excellent but never has chess been the focus of a full-length feature film. And it's easy to see why. It's not a spectator sport. Two guys hunched over a board doesn't paint a pretty picture. But the world thought you couldn't make an interesting film about programmers till David Fincher made The Social Network.

As the very competent Edward Zwick turns his focus on the world's most celebrated chess player Bobby Fischer, us chess players will finally get a flick that's all about chess. Here's to hoping Pawn Sacrifice makes for a compelling watch too. 

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