Mate...
We,
the viewer, arrive in Northern Italy in the late
1920's to witness the rebirth of a man. His name
is Alexander Luzhin (John Turturro) and he is
the obsessed, socially inept, but brilliant
chess player who is challenging for the World
Championship. His main rival is being coached by
his old mentor who abandoned him years earlier.
Luzhin walks around in solitude, often talking
to himself and breaking into momentary dance
numbers. He seems to have no conversational
aptitude, in fact, the only thing he seems able
to do is play the game of chess. Also visiting
the resort town is a single young lady named
Natalia (Emily Watson) who is searching for a
suitable suitor. To her mother's disdain she
falls for the bizarre grand master. He, in
return, is in his own way in love with her, and
he proposes marriage before ever asking her
name.
The love they have for each other helps Luzhin
see a world outside of the chess board, and this
seems to help his game. She becomes his chess
muse. He reaches the final and faces one last
challenge against his main rival and the mentor
that left him ten years ago. What will prevail:
The game, the mentor, the rival, the love, all
or none of the above? The premise is original
and the conclusion is unexpected.
The film is directed with a great deal of
patience by Marleen Gorris who helmed 'Antonia's
Line' a few years ago. There is a leisurely pace
to the film that lulls you gently into the
story. The acting is a mixed bag, but the
standout is Emily Watson, who again proves she
is one of the great actresses of our day. She
seems to steal every picture she is in. Her face
conveys so many expressions and emotions and it
is fun trying to figure out what she is trying
to say with a simple look. One could watch her
with the sound turned off in any film and it
would be just as enjoyable watching her act her
heart out.
The plot is intriguing and holds the viewer's
attention throughout. I don't think I have seen
a film tread the same ground before. The
cinematography was solid enough but the colors
in the print I saw were a little faded. The
conclusion was unexpected and quite refreshing,
not the usual fare we are force fed in almost
every other film.
John Turturro is a very good actor in general,
but seems to go a little over the top every now
and then in this film. His dialogue is limited
and I think he could have been more powerful
with an smarter script.
The flashback scenes to Luzhin's childhood
interrupt the rhythm of the present day plot.
Just a little information about how he got
involved in the game and his parent's choice to
give him up to his mentor would have sufficed.
Instead the film cuts back and forth and it does
seem to deter the pace of the story.
The score is mildly noticeable but has no real
power. The only time I noticed it is when it
used a familiar waltz, of which I do not know
the name, that was used in Stanley Kubrick's
Eyes Wide Shut. Aside from that, the music is
quite forgettable.
YOU'LL LOVE IT IF YOU LIKED... Searching for
Bobby Fisher, Leaving Las Vegas, & Breaking the
Waves.
Recommendable, but has its flaws. I don't think
many people will truly dislike the film, but I
doubt that it will inspire as much passion as
its characters possess. If for nothing else, see
it for the pleasure of watching Emily Watson
splash her remarkable talent across the screen.
©
Written by TC Candler
Richard
Propes' Comment
n/a
Jacob
Hall's Comment
n/a
